The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-04-02
PRAISED FOR
Her 0lC
WORK
RAILROAD MEN WHO ACTED WITH
EXCEPTIONAL WISDOM.
Supt. Whitney Speaks Of the Quick
and Effective Steps Taken at the
Wreck Near Castle Rock.

Referring to the Union Pacific
wreck near Castle Rock, Wednesday
morning. Superintendent Whitney said
TO a Standard reporter:
While the death OF Fireman Low
ham and Baggageman Gordon is sad
and deplorable In the extreme. the
wreck was unavoidable and no one is
to blame Engineer Frank Gunnell
and Conductor Miller are two OF the
best men In the Union Pacific service,
and both of them, as well as tho
brakemen and other employees, were
cool, active and alert at a critical
time when oyery noyc counted in -res-
cuing passengers and preventing n
panic that might have resulted SER
iously TO those occupying the three
passenger coaches that were. burned
with the mall and baggage cars
Il wish the Standard would also ex-
uress the company grateful appreci-
alton of the splendid work done by
Assistant Superintendent w. M. Jen-
ers, who happened to be on the wreck
ed train. and also to j Q. Mathews.
chairman Of the Union Pacific board
OF examiners; G. F. Maitland, divls.
ion engineer Of the Union Pacific. and
Engineer Harry Blmkensdorfer or
Grand Island. who were also on the
train. AS soon as the wreck occur
red, these men were on the ground
and, during the absence Of the train.
men. who were sent to flag approach
ing trains and to report the accident,
they took charge OF the rescue work
and literally drove the passengers out
OF tho three cars which were subse-
quently burned. After everyone had
been rescued from these three coaches
the passengers joined In the work or
pushing seven cars, one by one. out or
the fire zone and saved railroad prop
erty, coneervatively estimated at more
than 100000, from destruction by
flames.
Il also want to express appreciation
Of the quick manner in which DR.
joyce, DR.. Osgood, DR.. Smith. Train.
ed Nurse Miss Carter and Depot Mas
ter Shields responded TO the call and
Joined me on the relief train which
was so quickly made up at Ogden and
sent out to the wreck.
while the services OF these people
were not required to care for the pas
sengers, none of whom was inJurd,
the entire party swung into active
duty as soon as the train reached the
wreck and did everything possible to
aid. assist and calm the frightened pas
sengers, many OF whom we're women
and children.
None OF the three cars ditched were
turned over and attribute the es-
cape OF many passengers from injury
to this fact
THE fire was probably caused by
escaping gas. from the numerous tanks
on the wrecked cars, coming in con-
tact with sparks created by the crash
OF steel on stones and rocks as the
coaches slid from the trucks. This
was unavoidable. or course. and the
paint quickly igniled.
LAS soon as possible after the
wreck. a bucket brigade was organ
lied and the water used confined the
flames to the burning cars. thus leay-
ing the track In condition TO re-
sumo traffic as soon as, possible,
"The loss of property will not ex-
ceed $4,000 at most Tho most SER
fous feature of the wreck was the
death of two old and valued employees
OF the company.
"All in all. the wreck may be term
ed a fortunate accident-in not cost
inc more lives and the destruction OF
more property