The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1915-08-27

ed their way from pier to pier, con-
suming as they progressed the fallen
box cars and their contents.
The engine was almost spared
from the flames, even the running
boards to either side not showing
the least signs of damage. This is
thought to be due to the fact that
whatever fire existed at the spot
where the engine alighted was ex-
tinguished with the great weight of
iron and steel heaped upon it. The
cars containing wheat were the first
victims of the blaze, and as fast as
the wooden containers were burned
the contents poured forth and began
to burn, causing a dangerous fire
with it's smoldering qualities and its
intense heat. The other box cars
contained mixed merchandise,
among other things large ship
ment of crockery and tin cans.
AS to the incidents concerning
the human sacrifice there is little
to be learned. Fireman Joseph
Carlson, in a statement issued at
the Inland hotel at this city, to
which he was removed within few
minutes after the wreck occurred,
where he was attended by DR..
Field of this place, pending the
arrival of DR.. Carithers of Moscow,
Northern Pacific surgeon, who arri-
we'd on a special, said that his first
warning of trouble came when En-
gineer Vetter shouted and applied
the emergency brakes. With this
the engineer moved to the left side
of the cab, that occupied by the
fireman. This movement proved to
the fireman that something was
wrong, and he leaped from his side
to that of the engineer, the men
meeting in the gangway. 1t is
thought that after applying the
brakes and seeing that instant
death was almost inevitable the en-
gineer was preparing to leap, and
that his move was in the direction
of his fireman to also save his life
by leaving the engine. Mr.. Carl
son said that the next he remem-
bered was when he saw a hole and
plunged for it, and when found he
was clear of the wreckage. His
memory failed him following the
exciting few seconds as to whether
or not he tried to jump from the
engine, or VIII ,ther the engineer
left the cab. From the position of
Mr.. Vetter's body lying between
the engine and the tender with its
load OF burning coal, it would seem
the engine and tender parted as the
plunge was taken, and that Vetter's
body dropped through The opening
only to be caught, crushed and jam
ed into the rear of the cab.
Carlson suffered a severe injury
to his forehead, evidently from
coming in contact-with some flying
substance, or on striking the ground
and a fractured leg. The man was
removed from the hotel here tt
Moscow, from which point he was
reported to be resting well.
The track for a distance of more
than 200 feet, including that cross
ing the trestle, was torn from it
place and cast to all sides. 1t wa
twisted and pointing to all angles
and the ties were shattered anc
burned. At the north side of thu
trestle there still remained Tuesda.
afternoon the truck of one of th'
freight cars, with the rails twisted
downward at a. very sharp turn
Then for distance of about 2!
feet the rails spread to both side
of the road bed, until the tender O.
the engine is reached, this being
cast flush against the engine, witt
the forepart pointing downward
and the rear to an upward position
The heat resulting from the burn
ing coal and wheat was so intens
that to carry on resultful work wa
unavailing, and with each turn o
the breeze the scores on hand wer
forced to leave their positions.
From Spokane there came to tn
, scene number of, officials of tn
, Northern Pacific, including j. L
De Force, superintendent of tn
, Idaho division; James Shannon
; trainmaster; T. J. Cutler, maste
mechanic, and bridge superintenc
ent Shively. Immediately wit
their arrival these men outlined
| plan of work, and word was 500
: dispatched to Spokane to rush
the scene the fire car from Kootens
and wrecking train. :
The train leaving Lewiston at
: o'clock each morning did not pu
} out from the union station unit