The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1907-02-02
ONE KILLED, ONE CRIPPLED
Head-End Passenger Collision on N. p. East Of
Gladstone. First Engineer Misread Orders,
Second Engineer Mlsjudsed Distance. Fireman
Andrew Thomson Instantly Killed; Fireman
Jacob Mack Loses Foot. Investigation not Com
pleted. Wreck Crew Clears Track in Five Hours
TRAIN NO. a, EAsTBoUND.

TRAIN NO. 4, EASTBOUND.
.R. Walters, engineer.
Matt Greeman, fireman.
Tim Murphy, engineer.
Charles Borden. fireman.
H. M. Heath, conductor.
TRAIN NO. $, wEsTBoUND.
James Mcdonald, engineer.
Andrew Thomson (killed), fireman.
w. c. Williams, engineer.
Jacob Mack foot crushed), fireman.
H. E. Hagernlan, conductor.
The railroad wreck fifteen miles east
one of the worst ever known on the
Yellowstone division of the Northern
Pacific. In one way it was a very fortu-
nate one as regards human life and the
destruction of property.
Four powerful passenger locomotives,
under full head Of steam, came together,
head-on, on the main line of the road,
and but one man was killed and one
seriously injured.
1t was miraculous escape for the rest
of the crews and passengers.
Two engineers were literally thrown
from their boxes. This was the case
with the westbound crews. Their cabs
were telescoped with the tenders of their
engines, and it does not seem possible
that human being could have escaped
instant death.
Some one erred. The order known as
81 was given the engine crews of No. 4
at Gladstone for a meet with No. at
Knowlton, two and one-half miles east.
The orders were signed for and taken in
about the usual way. The first engineer
misread his orders, while the second en-
gineer misjudged the distance.
The train should have slowed down
at the west switch OF the Knowlton
siding and come to stop on the. main
line alongside the siding, but in
stead went on fourth mile farther and
past the east switch and still another
quarter of a mile to the place where the
fatal wreck occurred.
Conductor Heath pulled the engineers
down, but it was too late.
The eastbound train was dynamited,
probably just as the crash came and
therefore was Of no avail.
1t is likely that No. As train was rum
ming at a speed of I8 10 20 miles an hour,
and No. IS train at 10 or IL miles an
hour. The crew of No. 5 was slowing
down for the east SWITCH as they would
have to 60 in on the siding, leaving the
eastbound train on the main line.
The crews of No. as engines did not
jump. The crash came almost at a
moments notice and they had no chance
of leaving their posts; but in this in
stance they came out all right, perhaps
far better than if they had had more
warning.
1t was some hours after the collision
before Andrew Thonson's body was res
cued from engine 24I, in the lead on
train No. s. The body was driven
against the head Of the boiler, the arms
extended upward, perhaps in the attitude
of grasping the throttle. Coal from the
tender was hurled against him with
terrific force and the bursting of the
water glass resulted in scalding the body
beyond recognition. Death must have
come instantly.
Fireman Mack, on No. IS second en-.
gine, No. 24o was picked up by the train
crews on the south side of his engine and
cared for until the arrival of the physi.
clans. He was dazed for time from the
sheek and fearful injury.
At the Dickinson hospital, few hours
later, it was found necessary to ampu.
tate the crushed foot at the ankle joint
Had the westbound passenger been a
minute or two earlier and heading in on
he siding, the killing of many passen-
gers might have been the result.
The passengers were asleep and while
the collision gave them fearful shock
and shaking up, none were injured. A
few were not startled from their slum.
bers until some time after.
The accident happened on straight
piece of track and no cars or engines
were derailed.
The head engines crashed squarely
into each ether. Engines No. 24o and
2127, eastbound, were not greatly injured
The pilots were knocked off and the
tenders somewhat jammed into the cabs
The front end of the baggage car was
splintered little.
The engines on No. 5 Jared much
lifted from her drivers, having beer
driven back onto her tender; the cab
was crushed and pushed forward. En-.
CINE No. 24o was not raised from the
rails but the cab and tender were tele
scoped much in the same way as the
head engine. The front end of the bag
gage car was raised and splintered.
As soon as the railroad authorities were
informed of the accident, ]. ]. Sexton
assistant trainmaster at Dickinson, ar
ranged for an engine and caboose and
took Drs. v. H. Stickney and G. A. Per
kins, railroad physicians, with all posi-
bic speed to the scene of the accident
Fireman Mack and others who had re
ceived minor injuries were taken tt
Dickinson.
The passenger coaches Of No. 4 were
pulled back to this city at an early hour
Later in the morning the coaches of No
were pulled east as far as Taylor.
The Northern Pacific officials of thi'
division were busy in the meantime ant
soon after 9 o'clock had the steam wreck
ing outfit down from Glendive. Div
Supt. Rapelje came along in his car ol
this train; ]. G. Taylor, superintendent 0
bridges and building, was also along
and Foreman White was taken on here
Ii 5s. \