The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-03
CHARRED BONES.
All That Is Left of Some of
Wreck Victims.
. Burned Portions of Bodies Are
Gathered Up.
NO INQUEST TODAY.
Wabaunsee Coroner Orders the
Bodies Returned.
Will Then Begin an Official
Investigation.
THIRTY FOUR DEAD.
This Is sSuperintendentROurke's
Estimate Of Victims.
Train Dispatcher May Have to
Share Blame.
Will Then Begin an Official
Investigation.
THIRTY FOUR DEAD.
This Is SuperintendentROurke's
Estimate of Victims.
Train Dispatcher May Have to
Share Blame.

Alma, Kan, Jan. 3.-The coroner's
inquest on the bodies of the victims OF
the Rock Island wreck was not COM
menced today as had been intended
Claim Agent Graham of the Rock Is
land has been ordered to send all the
bodies now at Topeka and unidentified
70 Alma, where an effort will be made
to have them identified. AS soon as
the bodies are brought back here the
coroner's inquest will be commenced.
This will probably be continued for
two or three days.
Superintendent G. W. Rourke said
today that he estimated the known
dead at thirty-four, which have all
been recovered About twenty-five are
known to have been injured of which
seventeen are white and five are Mexl-
cans. Thirteen bodies were brought to
Alma at o'clock last night. The
bodies are a mass of burnt flesh and 1t
was impossible to identify them. EleV-
en- are supposed to be Mexicans and
two are supposed to be white laborers.
An initiated handkerchief with the let
ter "I'' was found on one of the white
men and his ticket was from Mitchell,
Ia.
The wreck was cleared away at
O'Clock last evening and traffic was
resumed. The engines are not badly
damaged and will be in use again In
two weeks. One baggage car, one
smoker. two chair cars and one tourist
sIeeper on No. % were destroyed by
fire. Combination mail and baggage
car on No. 80 was badly damaged. The
total loss to the equipment is estimat-
ed in the neighborhood of 100000.
Fire was started in the baggage car
by the flame from the gas jet. Super
tntendent Rourke is of the opinion that
there would not have been a great loss
of life had it not been for the fire.
Operator Lynes is here in Alma in
charge of Alma officials. He practi-
cally admits his responsibility for the
wreck He is badly confused and ap-
pears to have little knowledge of what
he is doing. Apparently he might be
called an irresponsible boy. 1t is hard
for him to give a connected account OF
the facts leading up to the disaster.
This wreck occurred nine bpt-, red
feet from the point of the curve aS!d
about three hundred feet OF the track
was torn up.
Coroner Beverly of Wabaunsee
county has been conducting an inves-
tigating but there has been no inquest
held here; but his investigation has
developed no additional facts NO
warrant has been sworn out for the
operator, but he is simply being held
by the officials. 1t is the purpose OF
the operator if he is released to go to
Topeka at once and see the superin-
tendent. There was considerable mon
ev found on some of the Mexicans and
it was all in gold. About two or three
hundred dollars was recovered. In
bringing the bodies to Alma one of
the farmers in the neighborhood heip-
LII, Of he
think he took about three hundred
dollars and Sheriff Erickson is now In
search of him. 1t is supposed that he
will give up the money as soon as the
officer finds him.
Sightseers practically cleaned up the
wreck for souvenirs. They carried
away everything they could get their
hands on.
Two More Dead.
1t is now believed that at least two
fated smoking car of Rock Island train
29 at Volland yesterday morning. They
are:
JULIUS BURMEISTER, aged 3S, of
FRANK SAYRE, homeSeeker, of
New London, Mo.
These two men are still missing and
the unidentified white man at Penwelrs
undertaking rooms could not be identi-
fed as either Of the two mentioned
above.
In addition to the TWO ABOVE mem
toned, the known dead embrace the
young man, W. T. Miller. who was rid
ing on the engine tender of No. 80, and
Albert Link, the negro porter, who died
Wednesday afternoon at the hospital.
The unidentified man al Penwells un-
dertaking office, may prove to be W. H.
Osgood of Mitchell or Mitchelville. Iowa.
Today's summary shows that the dead
will number five American persons, and
26 Mexican laborers.
An official investiga ton is being con-
Quoted today by officials of the Rock
Island. at which all the trainmen and
other witnesses available will give tes-
timony in regard TO the wreck. for the
purpose of establishing beyond dispute
where responsibility for the catastrophe
should be placed
Albert Link Is Dead.
None of the victims of the VolIand
wreck who were brought to Stormont
hospital have been discharged. al
though 1t is probable that Mrs. Enid |
Maier and her two children, who were
only slightly injured, will be sent to
their home in Nebraska this evening
Mrs. P. Cripe. of Mcpherson, who was |
badly bruised about the hips and body. |
may also be in condition to travel to- |
night.
Albert Link, the colored porter of |
train number 90. who was removed