The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-09-01
N. P. Express Wrecked.

N. P. Express Wrecked.
WINNIE, Free Press Wednesday.
And in an endeavor to escape, George
Johnson, one of the best known and
most popular express messengers on the
Northern Pacific railway, jumped to his
Heath yesterday afternoon. The scene
Pf the accident was short distance this
eide of St. Norbert, which is nine miles
from Winnipeg on the Northern Pacific
and Manitoba railway, and the wreck
which was the cause Of the fatality, was
not of serious proportions as regards
rolling stock or other property.
The express was nearing the city at a
very moderate rate of speed and was just
approaching small bridge, which is
north of St. Norbert station short dis
lance, when an axle Of the refrigerator
fruit car, next to the engine, broke, and
the truck Immediately left the rails, drag
ging the car around and upset,ing it.
The express and baggage car met SIM
liar fate, and was precipitated down the
grade and overturned. The messenger
MIR. Johnston, was standing by the open
doorway, and seeing the car ahead leave
the rails, jumped from his place, in the
hope of saving his life. The act was
most regrettable, for, on alighting, he
fell backwards, and the wheels Of the re-
trigerator car, torn from the box, Jump.
ed from the rails and crushed his left
shoulder and the upper part Of his body,
and pinned him to the earth. The train,
after a few severe shocks came to
standstill, and the passengers, who were
all shaken up badly and greatly alarmed,
rushed from the cars.
A sad sight met their eyes. The ILL
fated messenger was lying on his back,
crushed ..,,d mangled, with the heavy
vince. covering his body, which was
bathed in blood. A few groans issued
from his lips, although he was without
doubt unconscious from the moment he
was struck, and his limbs twitched
slightly. Brakeman Bryant, who was
also in the car, had grasped the iron rod
high up in the car at the first sight of
danger, and escaped without scratch
as result. The trucks of the coaches
plowed deeply into the sand, and this
prevented them from going into the
ditch. They were not damaged in the
slightest, excepting probably what would
result from the strain and wrenching.
| All the coaches were filled with passen-
gers. The express and refrigerator cars
also were not badly wrecked, the prin-
cipal damage being the wrenching off of
the trucks. All the express, baggage,
and contents Of the fruit car were trans
ferred to the relief train and brought in
to the city early in the evening.
George c. Johnston, the express mes
senger who lost his life in the unfortun-
ate wreck, was we'll known in the city by
the business men generally and was un-
iversally we'll liked and respected. The
news of his death came as shock to his
many friends here, and heartfelt sympa-
thy was extended by wire to his bereav-
ed wife in St. Paul, and to his brother-in-
law, Mr.. Miller, of the N. P. dispatchers'
staff, and Mr.. Hall, N. P. express agent,
and Mrs. Hall, his cousins, residents Of
this city. Mr.. Johnston was 35 years Of
age and had been engaged in the express
business for the past fifteen years, four
years with the American Express com.
pany, and the past eleven years with the
Northern Pacific express department,
ten years Of which he had been running
into this city, with the exception of relie
trips west of St. Paul. He was prom.
inent member of the Masonic order, be-
: ing a Blue Mason, member Of the Black
Chapter, Shriner, and member of the
Scottish Rite. This was the only order
with which he was connected. He mar
ried Miss Miller in this city about two
+ years ago and had his home in St. Paul
, removing from this city about year ago
, although he spent two months last sprinl
$ here relieving the N. P. Express agent
Mr.. Hall, who was absent in Chicago
The late Mr.. Johnston's parents resid,
at Mapleton, Mimi, twenty-five mile
south Of .Mankato. "A week ago yester
day he spent a day with his parents.
is understood that he was about to b.
Appointed one of the auditors ofthe com
= pany and was to receive his promotion
u next month.
The funeral will take place in ST. Paul
r The remains which are now in Thorn
: sons undertaking rooms, were visite,
by numerous friends of the deceased las
evening. They will be sent south thi
. afternoon.