The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1901-1901, 1901-08-31

form of the caboose and the force of
the collision threw them fully SO
feet away. Fortunately they were un-
injured and the brakeman made a
dash for the caboose to secure his
coat which he had left hanging there.
But before he could secure it the car
was a mass of flames and his coat
containing his watch and quite large
sum of money was lost. The head
brakeman of the freight heard the
runaway coming but before he could
realize what it was it had dashed into
the luckless passenger. AS it was
carrying no lights and was going at
a high rate of speed it was impossible
to see it in time to avert the collision.
Just how the freight train broke
loose at Essex has not been learned
It is customary for the helper to meet
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 q short
distance from the east switch. The
trains are stopped 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 us ng
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 bl oke in two near
the regular engine and dashed away
on its 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. H. 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 we'll 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 he names of the laborers kill
ed have not been learned.
There were a number of Kalispell
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'Brien, Mr..
and Mrs. N. Nathan, J. E. Kendall,
Swan Halieen and a 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
hcrrcr of the affair.
The wreckage is still afire and in
the burning embers are the bodies of
from 80 to IS unfortunate victims of
the wreck. It is impossible to trace
any resemblance to human beings in
the blackened bones and scorchcd
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
a tan shoe on the foot it was identified
as belonging to the remains of SUI
perrin endent Downs. No other trace
of him has been found and the
"hances 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 a 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 Sunoyintordont and who