The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-03

Special Dispatch to the Standard.
Great Falls, Dec 2.-The most appal-
ling wreck in the history of the Mon
tana Central occurred at this evening
on the Neihart branch, about two miles
from this city. killing three men and
making kindling wood of about Is
freight cars loaded with coal from Belt.
The men killed are:
T. LOUs A. DANIELS. engineer.
PAT RILEY. fireman.
HARRY A. .EDMONsToN, brakeman.
It is possible that there may be some
one else under the wreckage, as hardly
train goes out of Belt but has one or
| more men somewhere on it, endeavor-
ing to get free ride to the Falls.
The engine was $40, extra, and left
Belt at 4:30 with about 40 cars of coal.
Just beyond the river at the mouth
OF Sand Coulee and rounding the curve,
thissideo of that point straight piece Of
track is met. and it is there the acct
dent occurred, probably 800 yards south
of the pest house. The trains here are
restricted to 20 miles an hour and $40
was evidently going to the top of speed
when" steer was struck by the stub
pilot, the engine thrown down the 10
feet embanknent, and in seven car
lengths from where 1t jumped it lies
covered with the wreckage of Is cars
tons of coal, ties, steel rails and plow-
ed up dirt and steaming debris Of all
kinds. It lies on the east side Of the
track and on its left side. An alley-z
way through the wreckage leads to the
rear end of the cab, where, grim and
chastity with dirt, begrimed and scorch-
ed faces, are the men each with head
thrust forth, as though looking for dam
ger signals. Daniels, the engineer, lies
on top of the brake valves, with his left
hand grasping the emergency brake
valve and had evidently never t1inched,
as all brakes are set and his dead face
still looks forward through the wreck
age Of the cab window. Just below
Daniels is Riley, the fireman, his head
only visible. while lying under all the
wreckage and evidently in the act of
jumping, although he was unable to
clear the cab, lies the head of Brakeman
Edmonston. Death must have come to
them instantly, and while each man
must be fearfully mangled, covered as
they are with tons Of wreckage, their
faces have escaped mutilation.
When the wreck occurred Joe La
coste and the rear brakeman were in
the cabonse, and outside of severe
shaking UP, were uninjured. They i'm
mediately ran ahead and finding they
could do nothing, went to the pest
house and telephoned for help and 1t
was found that the three men were
dead.
Frank Wright. in charge of the train
wrecking crew, arrived at the scene of
the wreck at 500 and the work of clear
ing, away was begun at once, though
IT Is hardly probable the bodies will be
taken out before midnight, if then
$4,000 or $40, 00o
ABOUT. seven car lengths back from
where the engine lies on the ties are
the marks of where she jumped the ties
and lying there a mute witness to the
cause Of the terrible disaster is the
norm Or q large steer or COW, cut off
close to the head. Between the ties are
scattered pieces of flesh and hair, and
rolled up in lump half way to the top
or the wreck is black-looking blood |
and dirt covered bundle of what once
was a COW, not bone remaining un-
crushed. on every side. are the |
evidences Of the terrible force exert
ed. Rails are warped and twisted |
ties and cars in kindlings, and holes
scooped out Of the earth that would al !
most hold car themselves.
l.. A.. Daniels. the engineer, was born |
IN MaSsacnuSellS ana resided in Brock !
vile, Canada. He was married and his
wife lives in West Great Falls. They |
had no children. For long time he |
was manager for Major Walsh of the
Canadian mounted police in Winnipeg,
and later had charge of the coal docks |
at Fort Williams, Canada. He has run
here since 1897. coming from Dakota,
where he has a farm. His brother,
Freeman L. Daniels, is proprietor of the
Balmoral hotel, Ottawa, Canada, and
one of that city's most prominent citi-
zens. He carries insurance to the
amount Of 81, 900 in the Fidelity g. Cas-
ualty company. He was about 40 years
OF age.
Pat Riley, the dead fireman, was "a
years of age and was a native of Hall
fax Nova Scotia. His case Is particu-
larly sad. Last September he returned
to his home and was married. and he
expected his wife tonight or tomorrow
at 1880, and was making the run to
meet her. He has no other relatives in
the state, and his young wife will ar
rive to see him dead and among strang-
ers.
Harry A. Edmonston, the dead brake
man, Is % years of age, and was born
in Waukeega, Boone county. North
Carolina. He has only been short time
time on the road, and only came out OF
the hospital to make the run, having
injured his foot in the yards at Belt
a few. weeks ago, and has been laid up
In consequence. He belongs to the b.
OF r. 7. of Pueblo and has no relatives
in the state. His story, too, is particu-
night showed letters and confided to
his intimate friends that young lady
Of Pueblo. to whom he was engaged,
would be here in four days and he |