Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1904-01-09
CUSTER CITY. SOUTH DAKOTA AJgATUR


Ill
A serious accident occurred on the B
& M. Railroad few rods north of tn,
Rockford station at $50 o'clock on Wed
nesday evening. The details of the &C
cident as reported by Mr.. w. Stebbins
of Grand Rapids, Michigan. who was
aboard the train when the accident oc.
Cured, are briefly as follows:
The accident was the result of the
breaking of rail on bridge while the
south bound passenger was passing over
1t, which resulted in ditching the chair
car with twelve passengers and the train
conductor aboard, literally demolishing
the car and seriously injuring the con-
ductor and four of the passengers. Mr..
Stebbins was unable to give the names
of the victims. He sustained serious
injuries himself, having received deep
scalp wound, many bruises and internal
injuries, which will detain him in this
place for some time to come. He is
under the care of DR.. McHugh of this
place who, among other physicians from
various points were summoned TO the
scene of the accident to administer to
the wants of the injured. who upon his
return brought Mr.. Stebbins with him
for treatment. The conductor, whose
injuries consisted of broken arm and
shoulder in addition to internal injuries,
yo 70 bon t0 hiS hon,a - ll;oooo N.h
The three other victims were taken to
the Deadwood hospital for treatment,
among whom was Paul Kleemann, a
young man who has resided here since
early childhood, and whose injuries, as
reported, are Of very serious nature
the shock haying resulted in concussion
of the brain and other serious injuries
of an internal character. A young man
whose name we failed to obtain, is said
to have received internal injuries from
which his recovery is regarded as being
extremely doubtful. A young lady,
name not learned, bnt supposed to be a
resident OF Hill City, received injuries
internal which are regarded as being of
a fatal character. Another young lady,
name not given, received injuries of a
less serious character from which her
recovery is confidently expected.
Later-The names of the injured, as
given by the Pioneer-Times, are: Paul
Kleemann of Custer; Miss Eva Wilson,
Hill City; L. V. Seals, Billings, Mon
tana; William Lilley, Jr., Lead W. II.
Stebbins, Grand Rapids, Michigan; J.
c. M'Lemore, Lead Rev. J. A. Sutton,
Deadwood Conductor Cotant, in charge
of the train, and A. j. Harrison of Ra
pid City.
1t is asserted that the bridge was in
process of repairing, and in making pro-
vision for the passing of the train an in
sufficient number of sleepers had been
used. The locomotive and baggage car
passed safely, but the weight of the en-
gine and tender is supposed to have
broken the rail, and it give way under
the weight of the chair car, and the
trucks of the car on one side dropping
through, caused the car to careen and
topple into the creek. The chair car
took the sleeper and one end of the
combination car off with it, one end Of
the Pullman coming to a sudden stop
against point of rock, the coach resting
partially overturned.
Before going to press we learn by tele-
phone that Paul Kleemann is improving
with chances favorable for his speedy
recovery. --.....