The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-18
CONDUCTOR KELLEY
is KILLED IN A
COLLISION
Switch Engine Crashes Into
Caboose Of a Burlington
Freight Train Near West
minister Bridge-0onduc-
tor Kelley, It's Sole Occu-
pant, Is Crushed to Pieces.

A rear-end collision between a Great
Burlington & Quincy freight train at
$3.50 yesterday afternoon resulted in
the death of Conductor P. H. Kelley, of
the Burlington train.
The collision occurred just east of
the Westminster street bridge, on the
Great Northern tracks, and was fol-
lowed by a fire which completely con-
sumed the caboose of the freight train
and cremated Kelley's body. The switch
engine was also badly damaged in the
wreck, entailing a loss of more than
$500. The loss to the Burlington road
is estimated at $1,000.
Shortly before o'clock Switch En-
CINE No. 331, of the Great Northern, in
charge of Engineer Charles Hughes
and Fireman James Borshaski, both Of
Minneapolis, was ordered from the mill
yards in Minneapolis to st. Paul
Hughes says that the steam from his
engine was SO great that he was una
bic to see the signals as he sped
through the st. Paul yards. When
within a few rods of the Burlington
train, which was moving slowly in a
southerly direction, he observed that
the switch was open. He put on the
brakes and reversed the lever, but the
engine had attained such great velocity
that it continued to speed forward with
great force.
Then Hughes saw the train but a
few yards in front of him. He called
to the fireman to jump, and when Bor-
shaski had left the cab, followed him.
The next instant the heavy engine
dashed into the caboose OF the freight
train.
So great was it's velocity that 1t
plowed half way through the caboose
and telescoped that car into the box
car in front of it.
keiIey's Head Severed.
Conductor Kelley was the only man in
the caboose at the time of the acct
dent, the other members of the train
crew were busy attending the brakes
and switches. Kelley was caught be-
tween the car and the engine and lit
orally ground to pieces. His head was
severed from his body and every bone
was shattered into bits.
Then the fire followed, adding horror
to the wreck. Before the remains OF
the dead conductor could be dug from
the ruins the caboose broke into flames.
The fire department was called, and
after an hours fight finally got the
blaze under control.
A search for Keiley's body was then
instituted. 1t was found near the CEN
ter Of the caboose, wedged between
the engine and the car. The remaing
were shapeless mass of burned flesh
and broken bones, and were burned
far beyond recognition. 4.-l~
Coroner Miller dug the body out from
beneath the debris and ordered it taken
to the morgue. L-.- ,p,5
Kelley lived at 500 Hastings avenue,
and is survived by a widow and two
small children. He was thirty five,
years Of age, and had been in the en-
ploy Of the Burlington system for sew
era1 years. When his wife was in
formed of his death she became pros
trated, and at q late hour last night
it was necessary to call a physician, so
critical had her condition become.
No official report of the accident was
received last night at either the Great
Northern or Burlington offices. Cor
oner Miller hald only a preliminary in
vestigation last evening, but will thor
oughly investigate the case today. He
was not decided last night where he
would hold an inquest, but one will
probably be held to place the RESPONSE
bility for Kelley's death.