Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1903-08-26
EXCURSION TRAIN WRECKED.
SEVEN COACHES OF ELkS FROM
PORTLAND, ORE.
Two People Killed and over a Score
lnIured-Were on Way to Clam-bake
at Olympia, Wash.-Train Was Run.
ming a Good Rate When Rails Spread
Throwing Engine and Cars 40 Feet.

Chehalis, Wash, Aug. 23.-An ex-
curslon train on the Northern Pacific,
consisting Of an engine and seven
coaches, en- route to the Elks' clam
bake at Olympia, was wrecked two
miles south of here. Two people were
killed, four fatally injured and about
80 seriously injured.
When the train left Portland every
car was crowded with prominent Elks
of that city and their families and
friends. The train was running at a
good rate Of speed when the rails
spread, throwing the engine down an
embankment 40 feet.
Three coaches piled on top Of the
engine, and to add horror to the scene,
the boiler of the engine exploded,
throwing the scalding water and steam
for several yards around. The fourth,
fifth and sixth coaches left the track,
but only the front end of the fourth
car went over the bank. The seventh
coach is the only one that did not
leave the rails.
Nearly everyone in the first coach
was injured, most of them having their
legs or arms broken. Those who es.
capped injury started in to assist the
injured and to pull them from the
wreck. Several doctors were on the
train, and within a short time they
were at work binding up wounds or
setting broken legs and arms.
A messenger hurried to Chehalis
with the news and train of flatcars
was sent to the scene of the wreck
to bear the injured to the hospital
here. Every doctor in Chehalis and
Centralia hurried to the wreck and a
special train was sent from Tacoma
with doctor and nurses. Most Of the
injured being from Portland were sent
there on the special hospital train or
by the regular trains which passed
through.
The Killed.
Charles Farleman, 252 Yamhill
street, Portland.
Tramp, name unknown.
The tramp who was killed was as.
assisting the, fireman at the engine
His skull was fractured with a rod
on the engine.
There was a great scarcity of band.
ages for wounds, and women tore of
their skirts, which were used for that
purpose. Probably one of the most
seriously injured is Mrs. C. B. Brown
the wife Of a Portland dentist, whose
hand was torn completely. of and was
found in the wreck. Her left arm was
amputated and her right arm was
broken. She is in a serious condition
Oldest Member Of the Lodge.
Portland, Ore, Aug. &c. B. Far
leman, who was killed in the wreck
conducted cigar and confectionery
store at the corner of Third and Yam
hill streets. He was IS years of age
and was the Oldest living member OF
Portland lodge, No. AZ, B. P. o. E. Be
fore starting this morning he express
ed his dissatisfaction at going, but he
was urged to make the trip.
Caused by Boiler Explosion.
Chehalis, Wash, Aug. 24.-The cor
oner's jury which inquired into the
wreck of the Elks' excursion train near
here Saturday concluded its hearing
today. 1t found that the accident was
caused by the explosion Of the boiler
of the engine. The jury did not at
tach the blame.
The man killed in the wreck, whose
name was first given as Charles Gales
was identified as Sam Condor. resi-
dence unknown.