The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-24
HURLED TO DEATH.
Fireman Hatfield of the Santa
Fe Loses His Life.
Passenger Locomotive ExplOdes
on Chicago Division.

AS a result of a locomotive explosion
last night, John Hatfield, a Santa Fe
fireman living at 800 East Fourth
street is dead, and Engineer Andrew
Smith, of 507 Monroe street, is more or
less injured ,
The accident happened at Palamon,
small siding seven miles west of Car
rollton, Mo, about 7:45 o'clock, while
the train was running at a speed of 50
miles an hour, and without the least
warning to anyone. Hatfield was blown
from the gangway of the engine over
the top of the tank and struck the
ground twenty feet from the track
He was scalded horribly from shoulders
to feet and probably sustained other in
juries, from all of which he died at the
Santa Fe hospital this morning at 10
O'Clock. Engineer Smith was thrown
back against the side of the cab, but
was not so badly hurt but that he was
able to crawl up on top OF the cab out
of the steam which escaped from the
engine. The train ran about half
mile before it stopped, and then when
1t became evident what had happened,
Smith told the rest Of the crew TO
search for his fireman. 1t was remark
able that no wreck resulted.
Hatfield was picked up and put on
board the train and Drs- Fl. Kohl of
Hays City, Kan, and L. c. Sanford, OF
New Haven, Conn, who were travelling
on No 2, the train which the Inflated
engine was pulling cared for the I'M
fortunate man as best they could Both
of the injured enginemen were taken to
CarroIlton where they remained until
No 3, the California limited arrived
when they We're put on board and
brought to Topeka notwithstanding
his injuries, Hatfield was conscious up
to his death, and even after the accident
slept awhile
Hatfield was IS years old, and leaves
a wife and little girl. He has been in
the employ of the Santa Fe for the last
IA years. He moved to Topeka last fall
from Fort Madison, Iowa, and has been
running out of this place ever since.
Personally he was much liked, and as
a railroad man was considered especial
ly careful and competent Only a few
weeks ago he was promoted to the pO-
sition of engineer, but during a temper
airy lull in business was doing service as
fireman on the fast passenger runs east
of here He was a member of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
and carried several thousand dollars IN
surance in that order.
Engineer Smith, who was hurt in the
explosion, was not inclined to talk when
seen this afternoon by a reporter He
was very much affected by the death of
his comrade the two having been ac-
quaintances for years and having run
together for the last nine months Smith
is unable to assign any reason for the
explosion. The engine had been working
well and at the time of the accident the
water-glass registered more than half
full. A strange coincidence In events
is the fact that nine years ago today
at twelve O'Clock Smith was in a collision
near Fort Madison, Iowa, in which he
received injuries that caused his alb
sence from work nearly three years
Smith is an old and trusted engineer
having been with the road twenty years
The train was delayed two hours and
thirty-five minutes or until a relief en-
CINE could be backed UP from BOSworth.
The locomotive was 402, comparatively
new engine.
The body of Fireman Hatfield will be
burial