Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1891 — A HARVEST OF DEATH. [ARTICLE]

A HARVEST OF DEATH.

Happy Excursionists Scalded Alive by a Colliding Engine. Savon Killed and Six More Ms y Follow From Injuries in an Aooident on the Colorado Midland. —i A horrible catastrophe occurred at Aspen Junction, Col., on the Colorado Midland railroad, at 12 o’clock on the 12th. A collision occurred between a Midland locomotive and the rear coach of the Saturday night excursion train between Aspen and Glenwocd Springs. The coach load of people returning from the Springs, was suddenly plunged Into all the horrors of a frightful railroad accident, resulting in the instant killing of two persons, inflicting fatal injuries upon five more, and severely scalding and burning six others. Engineer Switzer, of the excursion train, had run his train up to the water tank at the junction for water. When backing down to get on the main track line, alight engine shot out from the coal chutes, which are located in such a way- as to he concealed from the view of the tracks leading to the water tank. The engineer on the light, thinking he could get out before the excursion train took the main track, made the attempt, but struck the rear coach of the excursion train at the switch. The force of the collisjon tore the check valve from the engine and poured scalding steam and water into the wrecked coach load of people. Then ensued a scene of terror impossible to describe. The passengers were at the mercy of the roaring, screeching monster at their side. Through the brokeu valve a torrent of scalding steam And water poured out upon the helpless victims. Of the twenty-five passengers in the car, throe colored mer, who were in the for-u ward compartment, wero the only ones uninjured. Conductor Miller, with the train crew and uninjured passengers, immediately began the work of rescue.