The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-09-04

| all east bound trains near the foot
of the hill and for both engines to
take coal and water at Essex. There
is passing track at that place with
the water tank and coal chute a short
distance from the east switch. The
trains are stopped a short distance
from the east switch and the regular
engine is cut off and takes water and
coal while the helper stays at the rear
end to avert just such accidents as
| took place last night. 1t is said, how
ever, that sometimes both engines
leave the train standing and go ahead
to coal and water, the helper using
the side track to pass the train it is
assisting up the hill. 1t is reported
that such was the case last night and
that at the time the runaway started
| both engines were on ahead with the
| train crew. Another story is that
while the helper was taking on coal
and water the train b. oke in two near
the regular engine and dashed away
on it's errand of death and destruction.
A rigid investigation is to be held
when the true facts of the case will be
brought out.
Rear Brakeman G.. II. Burke of the
passenger train was among the injur-
ed and is at the hospital. While his in
juries are severe, no serious results
are feared. He is resident of this
city and is quite well known her
Assistant Superintendent Downs
had charge Of what is known as the
west end his jurisdiction extending
from Minot, N. D., to the coast. He
was on tour of inspection and was
in Kalispell last Tuesday night, re-
naming here until the next morning.
His son was acting as his stenograph-
er, and accompanied him on his trips.
AS yet the names of the laborers kill
ed have not been learned.
There We're a number of KaIispell
people on the illfated train, but fortu-
nately they all escaped without injury.
Among those on board from this city
were Mr.. and Mrs. John O'Blien, Mr..
and Mpc
Swan Halleen and number of others.
Further information from the scene
of the wreck only tends to confirm
earlier reports of the horrible catas-
trophe. and if possible. to add to the
horror of the affair.
The wreckage is still afire and in
the burning embers are the bodies of
from 30 to 35 unfortunate victims Of
the wreck. It is impossible to trace
any resemblance to human beings in
the blackened bones and scorched
pieces of flesh that can be seen in the
flames. There is no possible chance
of identifying any of them and until
the names are secured from Duluth
from where they were shipped, their
names can only be surmised.
Today the leg of man was found
and from the trousers on the limb and
tan shoe on the foot it was identified
as belonging to the remains of Su-
perintendent Downs. No other trace.
of him has been found and the
chances are that the rest of the body
was totally consumed AS yet moth
ing whatever has been found of his
son who has disappeared utterly.
1t was reported that lady stem
ographer was also killed in the wreck
but this is erroneous. A lady was on
the train who was going to work for
the missing superintendent and who
travelled in his special car. She had
left the car but short time before
the accident occurred and when she
learned of the death of Mr.. Downs
she was overcome by the shock
Coroner Willoughby went to the
scene of the accident on No. 4, this
morning and returned this afternoon
He is making thorough Investigation
of the affair and will hold coroner's
inquest Tuesday afternoon at 2
o'clock. Monday is legal holiday
and as it is impossible to get the diff
ferent train crews together in so short
time he decided to hold the inquest
on the date mentioned.
AS is usual in a wreck of this kind
there We're many heroic deeds done
and many of the passengers proved
they had the stuff in them that heroes
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