Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-11-24
Engineer L. c. Andrews and
Fireman l.. S. Brown Hurt
In Bridge Accident
ENGINE PLuNeEs INTO RIVER
Steel Crew, Laying Rails on Bridge
Near Chenille, Mimi, Fails to Warn
Train-Ensine and Cars Dash Off
the Track Into Shell Rock River
Extent Of Injuries Not Known.

rowly escaped with their lives, and re-
ceived injuries, how serious Is not yet
known, in a bad railroad disaster this
morning on the bridge over the Shell
Rock river, two miles east OF CHENILLE,
MINI. The injured are Eugene G. An
drews. of 3O5h South First avenue,
engineer. and Louis S. Brown, of 512
South Sixth street, fireman. The en-
CINE and two cars of extra freight No.
81, north bound was thrown on the
bridge and into the river by rail be-
ing out. A steel gang was working at
the time on the bridge, but failed to
give sufficient warning to the oncom-
ing train. The wives Of both the In
jured men were summoned by tcie-
graph, and left on the first train, at
$3.50. A telegram received later today
says that neither of the enginemen
is seriously injured, altho Brown has
u bad cash in his head. Ii Is supposed
both jumped.
The. extra, which consisted OF TWEEN
ty-one cars, was in charge OF Conduc-
tor Wilson, Of Albert Lea, and crew
of Albert Lea, and crew Of Albert
Lea brakemen. who had been on tho
south end on a local run and were talk
ing the train home to spend Thanks
giving. The steel gang, which was
working on the track at the point
where the accident occurred, had set
out warning flag against the train,
but had put 1t but about eight tele-
graph poles distant from the bridge.
Engineer Andrews saw the flag, but
despite the effort to do So could not
stop the engine. While still running
at good rate of speed. 1t reached the
bridge, struck the point where the rail
was out. and went crashing thru the
cross ties. tearing them up and
wrenching them before 1t, then plung-
Ing thru the springers. toppled over and
turning bottom side uppermost fell
into the shallow stream, twelve or
fourteen feet below. From what Gun
be learned 1t is believed Andre IS and
Brown both jumped, either off the
bridge into the river or just before
the stream was reached. Following the
engine two cars added their broken
frames to the debris in the water.
Wives Are Summoned.
Early this morning the news Of the
wreck was communicated to Mrs.
Andrews, who departed for Glenville on
the first passenger train. Mrs. Brown
was not at home. but was found at the
home of her husbands father, Mr.. I. N.
Brown, at Liscomb. She also caught
the north bound train. Altho friends
of Mrs. Andrews attempted to allay
her apprehensions. as definite news
was lacking. she feared the worst. ow-
Ing to her being summoned. She bore
up bravely. however, and the message
received later, served to quiet her
fearful expectations.
Are Taken to Chenille.
The two injured men were taken to
Chenille, where the company has a
physician, who was at once summon
ed. The telegram regarding their in
juries was received from there and IL
Is supposed the doctor had then made
an examination.
Bad Place for Wreck.
The scene of the Shell Rock bridge
is one OF the worst imaginable for
railroad disaster The Shell Rock
river at tHdl point Is u narrow, SNdl.
low stream, and Is crossed by three
span bridge, built on piling. Approach
ing 1t from the east. as trains go north,
the track sweeps upon it from an alb
rupt, short curve, which obstructs the
view until just short distance before
reaching the river The warning flag
was encountered before this curve was
reached, but altho the train, every mo-
ment, decreased in speed, the engi-
neer could see nothing Of what was
ahead until almost upon It,
This part of the road is owned by
the Rock Island and is leased to the
Central which operates trains over 1t
from Manly Junction to Albert Lea.
AS soon as news of the wreck
reached here the wrecking OUTFIT was
called and left for the scene soon after
wards. The damage to the bridge will
probably delay all traffic on the north
end until repaired, but the passenger
trains will doubtless be sent around
1t over the line of the Milwaukee.