The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1920-03-11
GREAT NORTHERN
FIREMAN JUMPED
AND MET DEATH
Engineer Chas. w. Sandberg and His
Fireman Believing Wreck Inevit-
able, Jumped From Train-Mr.
Sandberg's Condition Critical.

Fearing that their train was about
to pass thru an open switch, and see-
ing no possibility of averting running
into another train standing on pass
ing track at Springbrook, N. D., Chas.
w. Sandberg, we'll known Great Nor
thern engineer, and Walter HALEY,
the fireman, jumped from their engine
to the frozen ground. HALEY passed
away Monday morning at $3.50 o'clock
at Williston hospital from injuries
he received and Mr.. Sandberg is lying
in precarious condition in a Willis
ton hospital from fracture of the
base of the skull. Mr.. Sandberg's
condition is reported slightly improv-
ed today, tho he is far from being out
of danger. He regained consciousness
for short time Wednesday and his
chance. Mr.. Sandberg, who weighs
on the frozen ground, receiving
scalp wound on the top of his head and
fracturing the base of the skull.
Mr.. HALEY cleared the engine as
well when he jumped his body strik-
ing the frozen ground with terrific
force.
The train did not pass thru the
switch, for when the engineer of the
train that was standing on the track
saw the other train approaching, he
rushed to the switch and turned it just
in time to avert a catastrophe. The
air had been applied before the engine
crew jumped and the train came to a
stop alongside the other train with
out damage. One of the members of
the crew crawled up into the engine,
but did not see either the fireman or
the engineer. HALEY was able to get
up and walk and he soon arrived at his
engine, crawling up into the cab. He
was suffering from internal hemorr-
hage, however, and soon collapsed. A
search was made and Mr.. Sandberg
was found alongside the track, uncon-
scious. The injured men were taken
to Williston and placed in a hospital.
The accident happened at about five
O'Clock Sunday morning.
The train had left Minot at nine
o'clock Saturday night. Both Mr..
and Mr. Haley had pre-
sentiment that something was going
to happen. Mr.. Sandberg was not
feeling extra we'll and remarked that
he did not feel like making the trip.
Mr.. HALEY was planning on giving up
his work on the railroad and going to
a farm, as he had fears that something
might happen.
The accident was due to careless
ness on the part of some member of
the other trian crew or on account of
an error in issuing orders. The other
train had received orders to allow
two freight trains to pass. One had
already gone by but it seems that they
did not know that another was coming
and had opened the switch preparing
to go out onto the main line.
Mr.. Sandberg's wife and his bro
ther, DR.. Victor Sandberg, well known
Minot dentist, have been at his bedside
all week. DR.. Archie D. MCDANIEL, To-
cal specialist, was called to Williston
Monday afternoon in consultation.
Mr.. Sandberg is one of the most
popular engineers on the Great Nor
thern and he has been connected with
that road for nearly twenty years.
Walter HALEY, the fireman, was %
years, months and % days old at
the time of his death. He was born at
Mo-, and had resided in Mi
not for the past seven years. He was
married to Miss Roberta A. Pritchett
IF Denbigh, N. D., May 27, 1917. He
IS survived by his wife, his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. H. S. HALEY, two bro
shers, Victor and Edgar, and two sis
,ers, Mrs. Ruth Black and Mrs. Helen
Davis.
The funeral was held this afternoon
At 2 O'Clock from the home, 412 Sec
md street N. E., the Rev. C. L. Cliff
lord officiating, and the remains were
Inferred in Rose Hill cemetery He
vas a young man esteemed highly
~ all and his sorrowing relatives have
he heartfelt sympathy of host of
friends.