Gilpin observer., 1910-01-20
WRECK ON THE TRAM |
James Tabb is Killed Out
right When Cars Leave
the Track.

JdmeS lduD, TesIutHl VI bidSh
Hawk and a fireman in the employ
of the Gilpin tram, was killed out
right Monday evening when two cars
upon which he was riding left the
the tramway round house. The acci-
dent occurred shortly after seven
o'clock. Tabb had started with two
cars filled with concentrates from
the Anderson mill on Winnebago hill.
These cars had been detached from
the train and were being run from
the mill to the ore house in Black
Hawk by gravity. Tabb was on the
cars setting the brakes. 1t is three
miles from the Anderson mill to the
ore house in Black Hawk and the dis
tance had been covered, all but max
ing one curve. There were no wit
nesses to the accident but it Is the
supposition that the cars got beyond
control and were going too fast when
the curve was struck r be checked
by the hand brakes.
There is a high wall or bank where
the two cars left the rails. Both cars
went down the bank. .Tabb was thrown
fully rs feet from where the cars
jumped. The mangled condition OF his
body when found would indicate that
the cars were going at very high
speed when the accident occurred.
Dan Williams, who lives across the
creek from where the derailment oc-
Cured, was the first to learn of the
accident. He was at the wreck few
moments after 1t happened. He saw
the body of Tabb and pulled it from
beneath car. The body was remov-
ed to the round house.
Tuesday morning coroner's jury
was impaneled and an inquest was
held. Dan Williams was the first wit
ness and told about being the first to
arrive at the scene OF the accident;
also about removing the body. Ray
Thompson, brakeman on the tram,
said the last he saw Of Tabb was at
$50, at the water tank at the head
of Eureka street He was braking on
the train following the two cars that
Tabb was on and didn't see the acci-
dent. Ernest Klien, engineer for
whom Tabb fired. said the dead man
left the engine to "let the two cars
down" and that was the last he saw
of him alive. John Tierney. another
engineer, testified as to the condition
80 v,,tr xr-ha ~
cars jumped and said It was in good
condition.; that shortly after the acci-
dent he passed over 1t with an engine
and several cars. James Winchell,
night watch at the tram round house.
told OF assisting in the removal OF
the body from the wreck. Louis Pr
cher, foreman OF the tram. said he
thought the accident was due, to the
cars going too fast, which prevented
them from making the curve. DR..
Froid testified as to the condition OF
the body OF Tabb when he arrived,
short time after the accident. He
said he found the body disemboveled.
neck broken. leg broken and num-
erous bruises.
After the evidence Of the witnesses
had been taken, the Jury found they
could not reach a verdict on the tesd
mony adduced and decided to 30 to
the scene Of the derailment and learn
more OF the cause Of the accident.
They went to Black Hawk Tuesday
afternoon and made an examination
OF the tram track and cars and upon
their return to Central, brought in
the following verdict:
1--WE find that James Tabb came to
his death on January 18th. 1910 at
the round house in Black Hawk, GIL
pin county. Colorado. through an ac-
cident caused by runaway cars on the
Gilpin railroad, and said accident was
caused by the carelessness OF the
company by not providing for the
safety Of It's employees"
James Tabb was 81 years and IL
months OF age and single. He was
born In Black Hawk and while grow
ing into manhood In this county held
the esteem Of long list Of friends.
He leaves brother. Frank, residing
in Black Hawk. and from his resi-
dence the funeral was held this after
noon at 2 o'clock. Central City lodge
OF Elks, OF which order deceased was
n member, conducted the services.
The remains were laid to rest In the
Odd Fellows cemetery.