Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1904 — MANY DIE IN TRAIN HORROR. [ARTICLE]

MANY DIE IN TRAIN HORROR.

Five Coaches Plans* Into Colorado Creek from Weakened Bridge. Probably about 100 persons were Hilled or drowned in a railway wreck on the Rio Qrande at Plnon, CoL The Rio Grande passenger train No. 11, south bound, went through the bridge over Fountain Creek. The engine and five coaches were thrown into the creek, which is swollen from recent heavy rains. : ” ~ The wreck undoubtedly was due to a cloudburst For hours that evening the country north of Pueblo was swept by the heaviest rain stprm that has been experienced in this vicinity for a score of years. Small streams were swollen Into raging torrents, bridges swept away, and the roadbed of the railway washed and weakened in spite of the heavy stone ballast. Fountain Creek, In which the Rio Grande train plunged, runs through a winding, stone lined gully, through the hills, and it was filled with a rush of waters so Impetuous that the railroad bridgfe was barely able to stand alone, even before the train dashed upon it, and was precipitated into the flood below. It is believed there were fully 128 persons on the train and only twentythree survivors have been accounted for. With the breaking of day the full horror of the scene became apparent Wreckage was visible In all directions, dead bodies being seen here and there In the plies of debris from the cars, driftwood and mud. Many of the bodies were carried down Fountain Creek by the wall of water, which had force enough to carry several coaches nearly four miles away from the point where they went through the bridge. A cloudburst had filled the creek and water was flowing over the trestle when the train started across. The bridge went down under the weight of the trhin, and the baggage car, smoker and chair car were precipitated into the torrent The engine got almost across, but fell back Into the water. The body of Engineer Hin-man was found 200 feet down the river. All tho cars were washed down the stream. The express car was found not far away with the safe open and Its contents gone. The chair car was half a mile from the scene of the accident half-filled with sand, In which were burled the bodies of many passengers. The smoker was washed still farther downstream and was not located until several hours after the time of the accident Upon the news reaching Pueblo a special train bearing all the available surgeons and the Rio Grande and Missouri Pacific officials left for the scene. Later a second train, carrying stretchers, coffins and a number of officials, was sent out Two hours afterward the relief train returned to the city bringing those who had escaped with their lives.