Great Falls daily tribune., 1919-06-05

and Kopctski caught the car before At
left the yards and climbed a board III
an attempt to brake it down, but the
hand brake either did not function or
the car had gained too much momentum
to permit of it's being controlled, for
it continued at increasing speed until
the first curve was reached. There its
speed was so great that the wheels left
the rails, the lumber catching the train
men as it was thrown from the car.
The remainder of the train started in
pursuit of the runaway car Immediately
after it began its descent of the grade
and it was only a minute or two after
the derailment before the other mem
bers of the crew were at the work Of
rescue. Conductor Roberts was dead
when his body was reached. 1t is said
that he was at the bottom of the pile,
evidently having struck the ground just
in front of the falling lumber. The
brakemen were also covered in the pile,
but were nearer the top. They had
alighted in a way that prevented their
lives from being crushed out. but We're
terribly bruised about the limbs and
body Flemming's right leg was broken
below the knee and the ankle was dis
located. One or more ribs may, nave
been broken, but this could not be de-
termined last night. Kopctski sustained
several broken ribs, but DR.. Q. J. Bresee,
who attended the injured men at Col
umbus hospital, did not think his condl-
tion as serious as Flemming's. Both
are about 30 years of age and have lived
in Great Falls for the past two years.
Neither is married.
The injured brakemen and Conduct
or Roberts body were rushed to Great
Falls on special train, DR.. A. u.
Chamberlain, Of Belt, making an exam
nation after the train left that sta
ton. An ambulance from the T. f.
O'Connor company was waiting to re-
ceive the brakemen and Immediately
after the arrival of the train at the
Great Northern station they were
rushed to Columbus hospital Fleming
was reported to be in critical condl-
ton before the train arrived, but DR..
Bresse stated after attending him at
the hospital that his recovery IS very
probable. Barring possibility of inter
nal injuries undiscovered last night,
Dr. Bresee did not consider him to be
in danger Kopetski's recovery will
probably occur sooner than Flemming $.
Conductor Roberts was terribly
crushed. A severe wound showed In the
forehead and the right side of the face
was badly bruised. The left hip was
shattered, the bones protruding thru
the flesh in one place. One leg was
broken and at numerous places about
the body was indication Of the immense
weight of the lumber. His watch had
stopped at exactly 3:45 and its con-
dition was such that it could not have
| run after the accident. A slight trlckie
of blood appeared at the place where
| the bones had penetrated the skin at
Roberts hip, making it seem possible
| that the conductor lived for brief
space under the lumber, but from the
| nature of his injuries it is certain that
| his suffering was but momentary, il
| indeed, he realized anything at ali al
| ter the car left the track.
Harry j. Roberts was about 4o years
of age and entered the railroad serv-
| ice in Great Falls nearly 20 years ago
| Two years ago he was assigned to the
| Neihart run and since that time has
lived with his family at Arlington. He
| is survived by Mrs. Roberts and three
children. Deceased had wide acquaint-
ance among local railroad men and was
held in high esteem by all who knew
him. The body was removed TO the
| O'Connor undertaking parlors, but fn-
neral arrangements cannot be announc-
ed until later.
Brakeman Flemming was able TO speab
when he was placed in the ambulance
at the Great Northern station anc
briefly explained the attempt Of himself
and his associates to stop the runaway