Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-04-25
Open SWITCH WRECKS
BURLINGTON TRAIN
Engineer and Fireman Lose Lives But
Save Passengers

NORTH YAKIMA. wash. April
While running At 20 miles an
hour past Selah station. six miles
northwest OF North Yakima. the
Burlington passenger tain No. Il
over the Northern Pacific railroad
was wrecked. Engineer william Cor
don of Ellensburg and Fireman Mey-
ers OF Pasco being instantly killed.
while Theron II. Pratt OF Seattle.
mail clerk. and william Brogan OF
Seattle. mail weigher, were slightly
injured. That many passengers on
the heavily loaded train were not In
jured or killed was due to the pres
ence OF mind and heroism OF Engln-
eer Gordon. who lost his life In the
effort to save those under his care.
when he shut on the steam. threw
on the airbrakes and even placed the
emergency brake. IN the 400 feet
the train ran from the time Il struck
an open or defective switch.
Exactly how the accident happened
will probably never be known. al
though a number OF officials OF the
Northern Pacific railroad. headed by
Superintendent DE Force OF Pasco.
began an investigation while the
track was being cleared.
whistles Distress signal.
According TO Conductor G. r.
Churchill. who Was taking tickets
In the day coach when the engine left
the track. the train vas going about
20 miles an hour. Suddenly the air
brakes were set. the engine whistle
gave the short distress blasts and a
second later there was crash En-
CINE No. ESQ. pulling the train. had
left the main line, gone into the
switch just east OF seiah. jumped the
track and been dumped over an en-
bankment about Ave feet high.
Forced by the momentum OF the
heavy train. the mail ear had swept
by the overturned engine and been
turned about quarter over and the
baggage car had followed. Both cars
were badly damaged
Engineer Scalded by steam.
After giving the warning signal
Engineer Gordon had attempted TO
leave the cab. for his body was found
between the boiler head aud the
tender. the tender having been fore
ed slightly ahead and to one side. HIS
arms were extended upward as II 10
hold back the great tender aud water
tank which had crushed out his life
and IN the crushing had broken
valves that let scalding steam onto
his body.
The body OF Myers was found pin
ned under the tender. bis arms out
stretched and the railroad men be
lieYe that be tried to leap from the
cab, fell and was crushed by the ten.
der a. II swung to the side Of the
switch.
Mail Clerk Thrown In Car.
Mail Clerk Pratt was thrown from
end to end OF the car. his clothing
torn. his shoes ripped and he vas
badly bruised.
Mai weiEher BrogAn was slam
med against the side OF the car and
his head badly bruised. Not one
passenger was injured.
Engineer Gordon leaves a widos
and four children at EllensburE. He
had been In the employ Of the Nor
thern Pacific for about 20 years and
was about ~ years Of age The Are
man vas q young unmarried man A.
soon as the bodies we're removed
they were brought TO North Yakima
Under the direction OF supeTInten-
dent DeForce. Tralnmaster shannon.
ROadmaster ScOW and General Agent
Hill the wreck was cleared away dur
Ing the afternoon for the passage Of
freight trains. including two North
Coast limited trains.