Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-07-15
WINNIPEG TRAIN IN WRECK
~'''msr People Among the Pass gers
who @trseuIousIy Escaped In
Wreck Near Wahpoton.

"es Veop'o among the Passengers
who sa'rseuIousIy Escaped In
Wreck Near Wshpeton.
Last Monday mornings train from
wahpeton, No. 10, due here at 4
O'CLOCK, was wrecke about eight miles
the other side of Wahpetop, and it was
almost miracle that no lives we're
lost. The accident which caused the
wreck happened about midnight, and
al the occupants of the sleeper were
In their berths enjoying nights rest.
The train was made up of two refrig-
orator cars loaded with fish, mail
car and baggage. car, smoker, first
class day coach and a sleeper. 1t is
claimed that it was running at a speed
OF about forty miles an hour and was
endeavoripg to make up for lost time
when the accident happened. The fact
that some Willmar people we're among
the passengers lends interest to the
affair In this city. John M. Downs
was just returning from Winnipeg and
was in the sleeper. Young Peter Ras-
musson was riding in the front end of
the mail car, and Henry Hort, whose
home is at Lake Elizabeth, was among
those occupying the day coach. We
are indebted to Mr.. Downs for q re-
port of the accident and he is of the
opinion that it was q most miraculous
escape for all concerned. It was an
experience that he does not care to
meet with again and was enough to
frighten the bravest.
The refrigerator cars were first de-
rallied, and all the cars left the track
except the sleeper. The refrigera ator
cars were smashed into kindling wood
and the fish which they contained was
certainly q bad looking mess. The
mail car was le # standing at right an
giles with the track about a half car
length away, while the baggage and
smoking cars were ditched. All the
occupants escaped with slight injuries
except the postal clerk, William E.
Mott, who was reported to have suf-
fered spinal injuries as we'll as inju-
ries to his left hip. He had been ve,'y
badly shaken up and was thrown
against the car. His assistant escaped
without a scratch. The baggageman
escaped with slight injuries. Peter
Paulson succeeded in escaping without
any injuries. The sleeper had about
fifteen occupants, and there was live
ly scramble when they were awakened
by the sudden jar. Mr.. Downs re-
ceived slight scratch on the head.
Mr.. Hjort, who was among the pas
sepgers on the day coach, reports that
they were all somewhat shaken up but
no one suffered any serious mishaps.
The train was in charge of Conduct
or Cooper. It was but short time
before the injured we're taken care of
and the work of clearing the wreck
was soon commenced. The passengers
were transferred to Wahpeton and af.
terwards taken on board the Flyer,
which arrived here in the afternoon
about two O'Clock. Postal Clerk Mott
was in the care of physician and
was taken through to his home in Min
neapolis, where he is at present con-
fined in the city hospital.
No definite cause is given for the
accident. The most plausible theory
is that owing to the soft road bed at
that point and the high rate of speed,
the short refrigerator cars were un.
able to keep the track. 1t is said by
railroad men that these cars are not
adapted to speedy running and it is
something unusual to run them with q
passenger train. They we're attached
next to tho engine. The fact that they
were the first cars derailed justifes the
above statement. The rails them
selves were supposed to have been in
good condition. The wreck left the
track badly torn up the full length of
the train and the rails were badly
twisted.