Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1899 — FAST MAIL WRECKED. [ARTICLE]

FAST MAIL WRECKED.

.Northwestern Train from Chicago Ditched Near Boone. Xowa. As the Chicago and Northwestern’s famous fast mail from Chicago was rounding the “Kate Shelley” curve just west of Boone, lowa, Tuesday morning the engine and four cars comprising the train left the track, plunged over the steep embankment and were dashed to pieces against the side of a small hill. Four men were killed and seven others were injured. Although the cause of the derailment is unknown, it is thought .to have been the result of a heavy rain which fell nt 3 o’clock—two hours before the wreck. Less than an hour before the fast mail made its fatal jump the Overland Limited, carrying hundreds of sleeping passengers, sped around the curve in safety. Had the rails weakened under its wheels the hospitals and undertaking establishments at Boone would have cared for scores instead of ten victims. A heavy fruit train also made the curve safely less than ttventy minutes before the wreck. The front truck of the engine was torn from its fastening and was hurled over the slope into a corn field 150 feet away. The driving wheels were twisted Utyder the front part and (tie boiler and cab were smashed. Masterton and Schmidt, their crushed bodies scalded with steam and burned with coals from the fire box, were found dead uader the wrecked remnants of the cab. The express and postal cars were likewise dismantled. Messenger O'Brien was pinned under his safe, and Figarfoos, his helper, was found under a mass of wreckage. The first three cars were shattered the worst. Conductor Rose and Brakemen Dornan and McVarnes were in the rear car and were unhuil save for bruises.