Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-09-30
ROCK island WRECK.
Fast Freight Train Goes Thru
a Bridge Near Metz.
Jasper County
TEN CARS SINK IN THE MUD
Two Carload. Of Pianos, One Of Pea
nuts, Three of Oil and One of En-
enes Demolished ~ Report That
Three Tramps Were Killed Can Not
Be Confirmed.

Metz, Ia. Sept. s0.-It is believed
that three tramps were killed in the
wreck of Rock Island freight train
No. 81, at the bridge mile west of
this place soon after noon yesterday.
They were seen by the trainmen to get
aboard as the train was leaving New
ton. They were not seen to leave It,
1t is more than probable that they
are buried in the mud of Skunk creek
under the dozen freight cars which
went thru the bridge.
The locomotive and twelve cars
passed over the bridge safely. Ten
loaded and two empty cars went thru
the structure. The caboose or way car
stopped within three inches of the
brink over which the twelve cars ahead
Of 1t had gone to destruction.
1t is impossible to estimate the money
loss, but 1t is very large. Two Of the
wrecked cars in the bottom Of the river
or bayou were loaded with pianos, one
was loaded with peanuts, another with
gasoline engines, one with ketchup,
oysters and beans; one with cedar
posts, which can be fished out. doubt
less; and three were loaded with oil.
One bore gasoline tank and another
a kerosene tank, while the other was
loaded with lubricating oil. This oil
covers the surface Of the bayou, and
danger of fire is imminent.
About 200 feet east of the bridge the
trucks of the thirteenth car from the
locomotive jumped the track. They
turned cross-wise within few feet and
began tearing up the ties. some of
which were cut off as neatly as If they
L had been sawed or cleft with a knife.
When the trucks struck the bridge they
cut the ties and the bridge collapsed.
Ten cars went into the chasm. and
the caboose, which was Immediately in
the rear OF the ten, rolled to within
three inches of the brink. In 1t were
the brakemen and one or two passen-
gers.
Four Orders Of the bridge went into
the river. Travel will not be resumed
over the road for twenty-four hours.
as it is serious break. The trains
are passing from Altoona to Monroe
and thence to Newton. and from New
ton to Altoona by Monroe. In order
to get around the wreck.
The bridge is over the old channel of
the Skunk river. The water beneath
| it is in the form of bayou and is not
running. It is Of some depth in some
places. but is above q sea of mud. It
is in this mud that the wrecked cars
are piled.
The locomotive and the twelve cars
which passed the bridge in safety were
taken on to Colfax. The caboose re-
mains on the brink of the river. The
wrecking trains are at work The rail-
road men are confident that when the
wreckage is overhauled the three dead
tramps will be found. They are certain
that IL the men had left the train be-
tween Newton and the bridge they
would have seen them. The train was
running at high rate of speed.
Special to Times-Republican.
Newton. Sept. 3O-The report that
three tramps were killed in the wreck
near Metz can not be confirmed. The
report is not credited. The task of re-
covering the cars from the mud is a
very difficult one and will require con-
cjdorahla time