Book Page 126
with while coupling cars at Channing, a small station on the St. Paul branch
near Ontonagon.
The accident occurred shortly after seven o'clock last night. MacNamara stepped
between the engine and a flat car containing a load of logs. Two of the immense
heavy logs projected and when the car and tender came together the victim's head
was caught between the two, mashing it almost to a jelly. He was held there only
for one instant when rescued by another brakeman. An engine was hurriedly
attached to a caboose and the lad was brought to this city and taken to the St.
George hospital. His wounds were dressed and the victim made as comfortable as
possible. During the operation at the hospital he never once regained conscious
ness, and at noon today, when his relatives, who come from Antigo, called at the
hospital they found their son sinking rapidly. Win. MacNamara is about 21 years
of age, and at the time of the accident was employed as head brakeman on
conductor John Havey's train running between Channing and Ontonagon. He was well
known in this city, where he went by the name of Mack, although his right name
was Mac Namara.
A SECOND ACCIDENT.
Shortly after twelve o'clock last night Win. Erskine, a lumber jack, was run
over by a train of cars switching in the St. Paul yards of this city. How he
managed to get on the track or what induced him to loiter there at that time of
night is a mystery that the St. Paul officials are unable to solve.
When pulled from beneath the cars it was found that the man's arm was horribly
lacerated, every bone being broken. The victim was taken to St. George hospital
where he will be obliged to suffer an amputation today. Erskine has been
employed during the winter at one of Gov. Scofield's logging camps, and came her
yesterday to draw his winter's savings. When taken to the hospital he had but
two cents on his person.
The Range Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XVIII, Number 45
April 3, 1897], page 8, column 4
William McNamara, the brakeman whose skull was fractured by being struck by a car at Channing recently, is still alive at the St. George hospital and may possibly recover. His skull was trepanned and after the pressure of the fractured bone upon the brain was removed he regained consciousness. While his condition is still very critical his friends have some hope of his recovery
The Range-Tribune , Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XVIII, Number 46
[Saturday, April 10, 18971, page 1, column 5
OFF FOR THE DRIVE.
----
"Lumber Jacks" are Leaving the City Now to Commence Driving.
----
The St. Paul depot platform was crowded Wednesday with "lumber jacks"
ready to go on the spring drive. Attached to the north bound passenger train was
one extra coach filled with men engaged by the Fence River Logging Co. They were
joined here by fully one hundred men.
Word has been received that the streams are opening up and the ice has so far
disappeared that there are favorable indications that the work will be started
immediately.
The Kirky [sic - Kirby] Carpenter Co. will employ over a hundred men driving the
Paint river and they expect to send up some crews in a week or so. Several
hundred men will be employed on the drive and these men will be going up
steadily
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Book Page 127
from now on.
The Range-Tribune , Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XVIII, Number 46
[Saturday,, April 10, 189?], page 2, column 5
TAKEN TO QUINNESEC
----
Dwelling House Loaded on Flat Cars Moved With Much Difficulty
----
The Northwestern Railroad company Thursday moved one of its dwellings from the vicinity of the Emergency Hospital to Quinnesec, where it will be utilized as a dwelling for one of the company's employes. The structure was loaded on two flat cars and considerable difficulty was experienced in running the train with its unique load of freight. The line men were obliged to cut a number of wires to allow the train to pass beneath the overhanging strands stretching across the tracks.
The Range-Tribune , Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XVIII, Number 51
[Saturday, April 17, 1897], page 1, column 4
STRUCK BY A TIE
----
St. Paul Railroad Employe Seriously Injured at Wausaukee.
----
BROUGHT HERE ON A SPECIAL
----
Taken to the St. George Hospital for Treatment.
Leg was Broken and Several Ugly Bruises Found on His Body.
The Victim Lives at Styles, Wis.
----
John Dericks, a middle aged man employed by the St. Paul railroad at Wausaukee, was brought to this city Thursday on a special train and taken to the St. George hospital suffering from a broken leg and several severe and ugly bruises. Derrick's [sic] home is at Styles [sic], Wis., but he was employed with the tie gang at Wausaukee. Shortly after 10 o'clock Thursday forenoon, while in the act of "snagging" a heavy log that lay across the road, the victim was struck by one of the ties with a force sufficient to break his leg. He was knocked to the ground and dragged for some distance before his companions could get to him. After Derick was extricated from his perilous position it was discovered that the man was seriously injured. The foreman telegraphed to Agent Clifford for instructions and he wired a return message ordering the injured man to be brought on a special train. The hospital physicians set the fractured member and dressed the wounds on the body caused by being dragged through the bush. Dericks is now resting easy, and although he will recover from his injuries, it will be many weeks before he can resume his former position on the road.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XVIII, Number 51
[Saturday, April 17, 1897], page 2, column 1
William McNamara, the St. Pau[l] brakeman, who was recently injured at Channing, is rapidly recovering at the St. George Hospital. He is now able to walk around and is slowly recovering his eyesight.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number I
Saturday, May 2, 189?], page 1, column 4
*********
Book Page 128
HOBOS GALORE.
----
A Well Organized Gang are Keeping Tavern at Lawndale.
----
HAVE A CITY DIRECTORY
Which Describes the Streets with Reference marks on the Margin of the Maps.
They know Which of the the [sic] Houses are easy to Work
and where Dogs are Kept.
----
No town in the upper peninsula is bothered more with hobos than Iron Mountain,
and a well organized gang are [sic] making their headquarters in a little shanty
at Lawndale. Almost every house in the city is visited by these people, who
solicit "hand outs" from door to door, and when one of the
missionaries gets all the "chuck" he can comfortably carry, he struts
off to the headquarters and turns it into [sic] the commissionary department of
his "lodge." In this way and what they can steal from people living in
the vicinity a goodly supply is kept in store.
The police are active in their endeavor to break up the gang, but no sooner do
they succeed in running a portion of them out of town than another gang take
[sic] their place. From one of the police officers who visited the camp at
Lawndale, the reporter learns that one of the old-timers is at work on a
combination map, text book and directory of Iron Mountain, such as is used in
other towns.
The officer says he saw a copy of an original drawing of the city of Iron
Mountain, which gives the streets with reference marks on the margin of the map,
which correspond with marks in certain localities which are designated as
"easy to work," others where money is obtained, and also where there
are dogs, so that when there is a want to be filled, the "Brigadier
General" knows exactly where to send for it. The police intend to rid the
city of this gang of hobos, and no efforts will be spared to bring about the
desired result.
The Range-Tribune , Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 6
[Saturday, June 5, 1897], page 1, column 6
UNDER THE CARS.
----
Thirteen Year Old Boy Falls Beneath a Moving Ore Train on the Northwestern Road.
----
WHEELS PASS OVER HIS ARM
----
Severed That Member From the Body.
The Nervy Lad Walked Unaided to Seek the Assistance of a Physician.
Today he Laughs and Jokes With Visitors.
----
Alexander Langlois, the thirteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Langlois, 708 West
Flesheim [sic] street, met with a serious accident shortly before eight o' clock
Monday morning, which resulted in the loss of his left arm.
The young lad with several companions left his home about 7:30 for a day's
fishing at Bass Lake, two miles north of this city. The story as related today
by the boy, is to the effect that he and his companions were walking north on
the Northwestern tracks and when near the coal sheds attempted to pass between
two strings of cars. The victim of the accident was walking ahead of the party
when one of the boys in the rear called to him. He stopped and turned around
when instantly the train forged ahead, a projecting bolt catching his clothing
and throwing him to the ground. His arm was thrown directly under the moving
wheels of the
*********
Book Page 129
ore train, which passed over that member almost severing it from the body. That
the little fellow is a nervy youngster was made apparent when he crawled to his
feet and started for the residence of Dr. Cameron near by [sic]. He did not realize the extent of his injury as the arm was held in the coat sleeve by a shred
of flesh that clung to the shoulder. Before reaching the Doctor's residence
young Langlois was met by an acquaintance in a buggy who assisted the lad in the
rig and hurriedly drove him to the St. George Hospital.
Drs. Crowell and Cameron were called in and amputated the arm near the shoulder.
Today the lad is feeling remarkably well considering the terrible ordeal he was
required to pass through, and with his sisters, who are with him at his bed
side, he laughs and jokes as though his terrible misfortune was a trifling
matter.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 7
[Saturday, June 12, 1897], page 1, column I
KEEP TAB ON TICKERS
----
St. Paul Railroad Men's Watches to be Closely Inspected for Accuracy.
----
Ed. Neubauer, who was recently appointed local inspector of the watches of employes of the St. Paul railway, has already begun his work. Under an ordinance which took effect June 1, every employe in the traffic department or anyway [sic] concerned in the handling of trains must before July 1 provide himself with a watch of a specified grade. All watches now in use are to be inspected and all those which do not come up to the standard of not more than 30 seconds variation a week must be replaced by new ones. Beginning June 15 all watches must be inspected once a week, and a careful record will be kept of all inspections. This inspection sys tem will be enforced all along the road, its object being to insure improved efficiency in train service and to provide additional safeguards against accident.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 11
[Saturday, July 10, 1897], page 8, column 3
There is a new official in the service of the Northwestern railway who is the inspector of uniforms and coaches. It is his duty to bob up any where [sic] on the company's lines and make an inspection of the uniforms work by the employes and to note the condition of the coaches. It is a good thing and will result in better appearance all around. It will also be effectual in keeping the coaches of the road in far better condition than heretofore.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 13
[Saturday, July 24, 1897], page 1, columns 2—3
'TWAS A MIRACLE.
----
The Escape from Death Wednesday of R. Lindberg, a Switchman on the Northwestern.
----
PINIONED 'NEATH THE CARS.
----
Ten Ore Cars Piled in a Heap in the Yard in this City.
Switchman Buried Beneath Them.
Held there by a Rod Across His Neck for Thirty long Minutes.
Three Hundred People Watch the work of rescuers.
----
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Book Page 130
What was apparently the direct agency of the Almighty power, was the miraculous
escape from a shocking death of Robert Lindberg Wednesday as he lay pinioned
beneath a wreck in the Northwestern yards, groaning with pain and pleading and
praying to his rescuers to hasten the heroic efforts being made to save the
young man's life.
Shortly after 11 o'clock Wednesday forenoon the ore train from the Pewabic mine,
containing thirty loaded cars, came rumbling down the spur leading into the
city. The string was being pushed by engine No. 724, and when a short distance
this side of the Stephenson avenue crossing, the rails of the track spread and
the cars left the track. The first and second cars became embedded in the sand
and stopped the progress of the train. Instantly the loaded cars at the end of
the string began to pile up into a heap, and before the engineer could be
signaled ten of them were off the track, twisted, broken, upturned, and lying in
the ditch along side the track.
At the time the accident occurred Switchman Robert Lindberg, whose miraculous
escape from death has been noted, was standing on the first car facing the
engine in the rear. He felt the jolt caused by the car striking the ties.
Lindberg started back running the full length of three cars, when he either
jumped or was knock ed off the train, falling between and under the wreck, where
he was tightly pinion ed by a heavy bar across his neck, while tons of ore
covered his chest and arms.
THE WORK OF RESCUE.
In this position the man was found by his companions a moment later, and as soon
after as possible a gang of Northwestern employes were on the ground with picks
and shovels, and the work of rescue was begun.
In the meantime the news of the wreck, and the report that a man was killed,
spread like wild fire over the city. Dr. Crowell, the company's physician, was
notified and he drove to the scene of the accident.
In less than ten minutes from the time of the wreck occurred the tracks and
streets adjoining were black with people. Fully 300 were there jamming and crowding, climbing upon the the [sic] wreck, asking questions and offering
suggestions, while bicycles, express wagons and carriages, with their occupants,
came tearing down the road, everyone eager to hear just how the shocking affair
occurred.
The rescuing party worked heroically while the victim of the accident lay
groaning beneath the debris. Picks, shovels, jack-screws and crowbars were employed to assist the men in the work. For fully thirty minutes the heroic work
of rescue was continued. Lindberg's chest and arms were buried beneath the ore,
while his head rested on the ground. An iron bar lay directly across the man 's
neck and it was this that required so much time and work to remove. Finally the
rescuers succeeded in extricating Lindberg and the fellow, with apparent little
pain or effort, sat up and drank a cup of water. After he had emerged from the
debris, and while being assisted to a carriage in waiting, a mighty cheer went
up from the 300 people who had been watching with breathless interest, the work
of rescue
INJURIES WERE SLIGHT.
Lindberg was taken to the St. George hospital where Dr. Crowell made an examination of his wounds. With the exception of a slight bruise on the temple and
a scratch on the wrist and back of the right ear, the man was not injured in any
way [sic]. An hour after being taken to the hospital the patient walked to his
home on East C street.
It is reported that the wreck Wednesday was caused by two boys who were meddling with the switch. They partly opened it and were unable to close it again
and ran off and left it when they heard the train approaching. Switches are sup
posed to be locked at all times but as this switch is on a side track and
constantly in use the caution of locking it seems to have been sometimes
omitted. It is
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Book Page 131
fortunate no loss of life attended the accident.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 36
` [Saturday, November 20, 189?], page 5, column 4
MORE THAN A COACH LOAD.
----
St. Paul Dumped That Many Woodsmen Off at Goodman's Spur Thursday.
----
Fred Carney, Jr., brought 75 men from Marinette Thursday morning and dumped the load at Goodman's Spur, seven miles south of here on the C. M. & St. Paul road. They will build a new camp nearGoodman's [sic - near Goodman's] Spur, a mile or so from Summit. The Fence River Logging company have [sic] a number of Camps [sic] in the vicinity of Iron Mountain and several hundred men are employed by this firm.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 31
Saturday, November 27, 1897], page 1, column 5
STRUCK BY A TRAIN
----
Amelia Dahl Hurled Thro the Air and Lands in a Ditch at Spread Eagle.
----
GIRL'S LEG BROKEN AT THE ANKLE.
----
Besides That She Received Several Scratches and a General Shaking Up.
Tried to Flag the Northwestern Passenger Train.
----
Miss Amelia Dahl, sister-in-law of Fred Freman [sic], section boss for the
Northwestern road at Spread Eagle, was struck by the west bound passenger train
Sunday morning while flagging the train near the curve at that station.
Miss Dahl lives with her sister, Mrs. Freman, at the section house a mile this
side of the station. Sunday morning she arranged for a visit with friends in
Florence, and was taken to the little station at Spread Eagle on a hand car. Be
fore reaching the station the west bound passenger train was heard coming, and
the hand car was stopped and lifted from the rails. The girl hurried on ahead,
hoping to reach the station before the arrival of the train. Just after rounding
the curve she turned about, and stepping to the side of the track, stood
flagging the approaching engine and coaches. She stayed too near the track,
however, and when the engine passed her the girl was struck by a projecting bar
and hurled several feet in the air alighting in a heap of brush and rocks at the
bottom of the embankment several feet away. Her left leg was broken at the
ankle and she received several bruises and a general shaking up.
The train was stopped and the girl picked up. She was carried into the passenger coach and taken to Florence where she was given surgical attendance.
The young lady was about 20 years of age and has spent much of her time in Florence and Commonwealth. She was once employed as a domestic in the home of Prof. Eakin at Florence and also lived with Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins at Commonwealth.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 31
[Saturday, November 27, 1897], page 5, column 5
TIES ON THE TRACK.
----
An Effort to Wreck a Northwestern Train Near Powers.
----
DETECTIVES WORKING ON THE CASE.
*********
Book Page 132
----
Ties Were Chained to the Rails on the Bridge Just Above that Station.
Terrible Disaster Averted -- Occurred Last Week.
----
The fact has just been made known that an attempt was made one night last week to wreck a C. & N.W. passenger train near Powers, and but for the appearance of some people who happened along, and noticing the trap hurried back to flag the train, a terrible disaster would have been the result.
TIES WERE CHAINED.
The would-be train wreckers had chained ties to the rails on the bridge just
above Powers and a little further along several were found chained to a culvert.
Had the train been allowed to thunder along over the bridge it would have been
derailed and the entire train would probably have been precipitated into the
river below.
The Marinette North Star says that detectives have been put to work on the case
and just punishment will be meted out to the guilty parties if caught.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 37
[Saturday, January 8, 1898], page 7, column 1
KILLED BY THE CARS
----
Runaway Horse with a Cutter Struck by a St. Paul Passenger Train
----
HURLED FIFTY FEET IN THE AIR.
----
Consternation Caused by the Failure to Find the Driver
-- Animal Mangled and Cutter Demolished --
Loss Estimated at $150.
----
The regular south bound passenger train on the C.M. & St. Paul road Sunday night pulled into Iron Mountain fifteen minutes behind schedule time. The delay was caused by an accident that occurred seven miles north of this city near Merriman, in which a valuable driving horse was killed outright and a handsome cutter completely demolished. The horse and cutter was [sic] the property of Captain "Jack" Crego, of the Chapin Location.
HORSE RAN AWAY.
About 7 o'clock Mr. Crego ordered his rig from the stable for the purpose of enjoying a sleigh ride with some member of his family. The horse has been driven but little of late, and was "feeling his oats." The rig was standing in front of Mr. Crego's residence for a moment and suddenly broke away dashing down the avenue in the direction of the railroad tracks. The horse took the Florence road and was soon out of sight of his pursuers.
TOOK THE RAILROAD TRACK.
After reaching a point a few miles north of the Location, the runaway horse took the main track on the St. Paul road and continued his mad run in the direction of Merriman. When a short distance this side of that station the rig was stuck [sic - struck] by the incoming passenger train. A bend in the road at that point prevented the engineer from seeing the dark object in front of him until too late to reverse the engine. The train was making up lost time and when the clash occurred was pounding along the rails at full speed. So was the horse.
*********
Book Page 133
The animal, with the cutter attached, was hurled fifty feet in the air and was
found about forty feet from the track. The train was brought to a stop and the
trainmen hurried back to the scene of the accident. The horse was found mangled
and dead and the cutter completely demolished. No trace could be found of an
occupant of the rig and some time was spent in searching for the driver, but in
vain.
When the train reached this city the facts were reported to Agent Clifford, who
ordered an investigation[.] The report of the accident spread rapidly over the
city, and the belief that a man had been killed caused considerable consternation. Mr. Crego valued the dead animal at $100 and the cutter at $55. He will
not be able to recover from the company.
Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 2, Number 34
[Thursday, January 13, 1898], page 1, column 4
WISCONSIN & MICHIGAN
The Marinette papers are again engaged in the pleasing pastime of extending the Wisconsin & Michigan railroad to Iron Mountain. The report always appears in print at this time of the year. The Eagle states that the extension will surely be built this spring and quotes an authorative [sic - authoritative] source for its information. We hope the rumor may prove true -- this time. If built, the extension will be thirty miles long and will touch Vulcan, Norway and Quinnesec. The cost is estimated at $500,000.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 38
[Saturday, January 15, 1898], page 2, column 2
HERE IS GOOD NEWS.
----
New Railroad for Iron Mountain in the Early Spring.
----
WILL TOUCH OTHER RANGE TOWNS.
----
Wisconsin and Michigan Railway will Build Thirty Miles of New Road
and Iron Mountain will be its Terminus. -- The Object.
----
The hustling young local editor of the Marinette Daily Eagle has scopped us all
on an important railroad item, which will be read with much interest by the
people of Iron Mountain and other towns in Dickinson County.
The Eagle states that the annual meeting of the Wisconsin & Michigan railway
will be held in Marinette next Tuesday, and they learn from an authoritative
source that the company will decide at this meeting to make an extension of the
line to Iron Mountain and other Menominee Range towns.
Work on the extension will begin in the spring and the estimated cost of the new
road is put at about $50,000 [sic]. The extension will touch Norway, Quinnesec. Vulcan and several of the mining properties in that vicinity.
The object of the extension is to secure part at [sic - of] the big ore traffic
from the Menominee range to South Chicago. The Illinois Steel company recently
made a big find of ore at Quinnesec and the Wis. & Mich. may capture the
contract for carrying their ore. Ore docks will have to be constructed at
Peshtigo Harbor and the ore shipped by car ferry.
The new line will be a great thing for this section. Iron Mountain will be the
terminus of the road and that in itself will be an inducement for many new
enterprises and business firms to establish themselves in this city.
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Book Page 134
The extension will cost considerable money as it will be put through a rough and hilly country from Faithhorn [sic] Junction.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 38
[Saturday, January 15, 1898], page 5, column 2
NORTHWESTERN MUST PAY
----
Judgment Rendered Thursday in Justice Miller's Court for Dead Cows.
----
In Justice Miller's court Thursday a judgment was rendered against the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad company in the sum of $130. The case case [sic] on trirl [sic - trial] was brought by Emil Sjogren, Alben Sofhalin and Peter Anderson. The complainants sought to recover for three head of cattle killed by a Northwestern train on a crossing in this city last September.
Iron Mountain Press , Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 2, Number 35
[Thursday, January 20, 1898], page 1, column 5
TRYING TO FLOAT BONDS
An official of the Wisconsin & Michigan railroad is authority for the
statement that the company is now negotiating a sale of bonds for the extension
of the road to Iron Mountain.
Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 2, Number 36
[Thursday, January 27, 1898], page 1, column 5
WILL COST A TIDY SUM
It is estimated that the proposed and much discussed extension of the Wisconsin
& Michigan railroad from its present terminus to Iron Mountain will cost the
tidy sum of $575,000. The officials are now endeavoring to float the bonds and
will no doubt succeed in doing so. It is hinted that the Illinois Steel company
is encouraging the enterprise, and it looks very much as if the extension was a
certainty.
The Range-Tribune , Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 40
[Saturday, February 5, 1898], page 1, column 3
UNDER THE WHEELS
----
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Brakeman Loses an Arm.
----
FELL BETWEE[N] TWO MOVING CARS.
----
Dragged a Short Distance -- Foot May Have to be Amputated
-- Victim Has a Wife
in Colorado -- Miraculous Escape from a Most Shocking Death.
----
Lying in a cot in the main ward of the St. George Hospital with the stump of his right arm bandaged in yards of white cloth, his right foot done up in the same manner and suffering from many cuts and bruises, quite painful but less dangerous, is Theodore Gardner, a brakeman for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, who was brought to the hospital at 3 o'clock Friday morning more dead than alive. On a slab in the hospital morgue, wrapped securely in a piece of linen, is the right arm and hand of the suffering patient, the skin torn off the full length of the
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Book Page 135
arm from the wrist up. These pieces of flesh are awaiting interment.
The accident, of which the above description is the result, occurred at Pori, a
small station this side of Ontonagon, shortly after nine o'clock Thursday night.
Theodore Gardner was employed as brakeman on a freight train running from Ontonagon south through Iron Mountain. While the train was pulling into Pori, Gardner ran along the tops of the cars toward the head end of the train. In the dark
ness he missed his footing and fell between the cars on the tracks below. He was
caught by the moving wheels and dragged and juggled for a considerable distance.
First his right foot was caught by the revolving wheels and in trying to
extricate himself from this entanglement he threw his right arm across the
rails, the wheels passed over it severing the member close to the shoulder and
allowing it to roll in the center of the road bed, where it was picked up by the
train crew.
As soon as the injured brakeman was carried to the caboose an engine was coupled on and the special steamed back to Ontonagon to secure the services of a
surgeon. Dr. Gardner was summoned, who dressed the wounds and immediately
ordered the man brought to this city, where competent hospital service could be
had.
The special reached here about 3 o'clock and the injured man was taken to the
St. George. Drs. Crowell and Cameron were sent for to assist in the second dressing of the stump and to be consulted as to the possibility as to the saving of
the injured foot. An effort in this direction will be made, but it's one chance
in a thousand that the foot can be saved.
Theodore Gardner is 25 years of age and has a wife living in Colorado. He has no
relatives in this section of the country. He has been employed on this branch
only about a week.
The Range-Tribune , Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 41
[Saturday, February 12, 1898], page 1, columns 1—2
TRAINS COLLIDE.
----
HORRIBLE DISASTER ON THE C., MIL. & ST. PAUL ROAD.
----
ENGINE, CABOOSE AND THIRTEEN FLAT CARS CRUSHED TO PIECES IN THE WRECK.
----
Conductor and Brakeman Hurled Into Eternity and Their Bodies Crushed and Burned.
----
Blame Laid to Night Operator at Arbutus, who is Placed Under Arrest
by the Authorities.
----
Remains of the Conductor and Brakeman Found Shortly Before Noon,
Mangled, Crushed and Shockingly Burned.
----
Two men were killed, in a rear end collision on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul road one mile south of Arbutus and nine miles from this city shortly after
midnight Thursday night.
The killed are: Conductor Charlie Anderson, 30 years of age, residing with his
wife and two children on South Carpenter avenue in this city, and Brakeman John
Tews, 28 years of age, a resident of West Green Bay.
HOW THE COLLISION OCCURRED.
An extra log train in charge of Conductor Anderson left this city at 10:50 Thursday night for Green Bay. At Arbutus the train was ordered to pick up afew [sic - a few] cars at Carney's Spur, 1 mile south. At 11:45 a second extra left here in charge of Conductor Babcock for Green Bay and should have, it is said, been held at Arbutus until Anderson's train reported safe at Pembine.
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Book Page 136
OPERATOR WAS SLEEPING.
It is alleged that Henry Hadash, the night operator at Arbutus, was asleep when the second extra pulled into the station. He gave Conductor Babcock the block clear and the second extra pulled out for Pembine. There was a heavy fog and the engineer was unable to see more than twenty feet ahead. The first extra had picked up its cars on the spur and was about to pull out. Conductor Anderson and Brakeman Tews were in the caboose on the main track and little realized the horrible fate that awaited them, nor did they hear the rumbling of the oncoming train on the same track behind.
JUMPED FOR THEIR LIVES.
Extra No. 2, in charge of Conductor Babcock with Engineer John Kern and Fireman Joe Bush coaling, came thundering along the rails. When within twenty feet of the caboose in which Anderson and Tews were sitting, Kern and Bush saw the danger for the first time. Levers were instantly reversed and the engineer and fireman jumped to save their lives. They escaped none too soon, for, in another instant, the snorting engine crashed into the caboose ahead. The impact was terrific. The caboose and thirteen logging cars were completely demolished and piled in a tangled heap on the bank and across the track. The engine of the second extra plowed through the debris for a distance of ten cars length, when it left the rails, broken and demolished.
TWO INSTANTLY KILLED.
The fate of Conductor Chas. Anderson and Brakeman John Tews was a most shocking one. They were sitting in the caboose when the crash came. Their car was crushed to pieces and the two men were buried beneath the wreck. To add to the horror of the disaster the debris caught fire and the flames licked up the dry pieces of splinters from the cars and was gradually eating its way to where lay the crushed and mangled bodies of the two men.
WORK OF RESCUE.
The news of the accident flashed across the wires from here to Green Bay. One wrecking crew was sent from here and another started from Green Bay. The first work of the crew was to subdue the flames and this required about an hour's valuable time. As soon as the fire was put out the men were ordered to search for the bodies of the men killed. The wrecking crew from Green Bay reached the scene of the accident at an early hour, and with those already on the ground the work of rescue was systematically and vigorously prosecuted. Shortly before seven o'clock yesterday, and the hour at which the north bound passenger train is due to pass the spur, the tracks were still heaped with logs and pieces of demolished cars. It was nearly 10 o'clock, nine hours after the accident, before the main track was cleared and the passenger train allowed to proceed on its run north.
SEARCHING FOR THE BODIES.
Immediately after the passenger train passed the scene of the disaster every man of the rescuing party bent his efforts to locate the bodies of the conductor and brakeman. The logs, timbers, car wheels, iron castings and other portions of the wrecked train were piled in a heap fifty feet high and covering a space of ground not more than thirty feet square.
FIRST BODY RECOVERED.
The men labored heroically and at 11 o'clock their efforts were rewarded by the finding of the body of Brakeman John Tews. He was lying on his face, a mangled mass of humanity. Arms and legs were torn to shreds, and one side of his face was crushed by a broken piece of timber. The body wa[s] picked up and placed in a box.
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Book Page 137
About an hour later the men at work came across the body of Conductor Anderson, lying face upward.
FIND ANDERSON'S REMAINS.
The remains of Anderson were, in addition to being mangled, shockingly burned about the head and legs. His right hand was burned to a crisp, while one leg was burned completely away from the body, leaving only the charred bones of that member.
BODIES BROUGHT HERE.
Agent Clifford was present at the scene of the work of rescue. He directed that
the bodies be brought to this city. A special train consisting of an engine and
a caboose brought the remains of the two victims to Iron Mountain, reaching here
at 1 o'clock. They were placed in charge of Undertaker Robbins and conveyed to
the morgue to be prepared for interment.
FAULT OF THE OPERATOR.
The blame is laid to the operator at Arbutus, Henry Hadish, a young man about 24
years of age. It is said that he was sleeping at his post when the second extra
pulled into the station. A blast from the whistle and the noise made by the on
coming train wakened him with a start, and he gave the engineer the block clear
when he should have held the train until the operator at Pembine had reported
Anderson's train safely out of the station. Hardish [sic] was immediately
released and the night operator at this point was sent to take his place.
OPERATOR PLACED UNDER ARREST.
The coroner from Pembine held an inquest over the remains at noon. No verdict
was rendered, but that official considered the evidence against Henry Hardish
[sic] of a nature sufficiently criminal to warrant his arrest. The young man was
taken into custody and accompanied the officers to Pembine. He admits having
been asleep at the time and offers no excuse for his negligence. He is a bright
young man and is popular with all the employes on the road. He feels his
disgrace keenly and has spent the time since the accident crying like an infant.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 41
[Saturday, February 12, 1898], page 1, column 5
BROKE HIS SKULL.
----
Brakeman on the Narrow Gauge Falls Between Logging Cars.
----
DIED IN AGONY TWO HOURS LATER.
----
One of the Best Employes of the Quinnesec Logging Company --
Has a Wife and Two Children Living on West D Street in this City.
----
Geo. Landricks was brought to this city at an early hour Tuesday suffering from
wounds received in an accident on the narrow gauge road at the Quinnesec Logging Co's. camp five miles from this city on the Menominee River. While the rig
was being driven through the streets of the city the man breathed his last. The
driver hurried to a physician's office, but when informed that the man was dead
he turned around and drove to Robbin's [sic] undertaking establishment where the
re mains were turned over to the undertaker to be prepared for burial.
The accident that resulted in the death of Geo. Landricks occurred shortly
before six o'clock Tuesday. He was employed as brakeman by the Quinnesec Logging
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Book Page 138
Co. The crew left the camp with a train of logs and when the train reached a
down grade in the road Landricks went ahead to set brakes, leaving his lantern
on the load. While in the act of setting the brakes the poor fellow slipped and
fell between the cars. He either struck his head on the rail or a wheel of one
of the cars ran into him. His skull was split open leaving a hole fully four
inches long. He was not missed by the train crew until they reached a water
station, and as he did not make his appearance, as was his custom, the engineer
sent his men back to search for the missing man.
Before the men reached the spot where Landricks had fallen off, another crew had
picked him up. It is said he was sitting up on the rails holding his head in his
hands and groaning with agony. A rig was ordered from the camp and the suffering victim was brought here for medical and surgical attendance. Even had the
man lived until after being operated on there is little doubt but death would
have ensued, as his wound was a dangerous one.
Supt. Early stated that Landricks was one of the most careful and trustworthy
man [sic - men] in his employ. He has worked for the Quinnesec Logging Co. for
the past four years and could always be relied upon to do his work.
The deceased leaves a wife and two children living on West 0 street in the
vicinity of Crystal Lake.
VICTIM WAS INSURED.
Geo. Landricks' life was insured in the sum of $1,000. Only recently Mr.
Lendricks [sic] took out a policy in that sum, in the Northern Accident and Sick
Benefit Association, of Menominee.
The Range-Tribune , Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 41
[Saturday, February 12, 1898], page 1, column 6
WILL MOVE THE TRACKS.
----
The Big Chapin Pump Will Also Soon Have to be Pulled Down.
----
It has long been apparent to the most casual observer that the time is not
distant when the tracks of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, which cross
the Chapin mine, will have to be moved to more stable ground, and speculation
has been indulged in as to where the roadbed will be located. The big Chapin
pump, which has been one of the admirations of visitors, will also have to be
removed, and a new highway to connect the north and south part of the city will
have to be constructed. Probably the present season will see all these things
accomplished. The following from The Marine Review indicates that steps in this
direction are alreads [sic — already] being taken:
The Chapin Mining Co. is about to begin caving in a part of the mine that is
being crossed by the main line of the Chicago & Northwestern Ry.
Arrangements are being made with the railway company to move its tracks. Not
long ago, when the Mesabi first came into prominence, the big Chapin mine was
not regarded as a highly valuable property, but it was soon found that the
discovery of the Mesabi was of special advantage to the Chapin, the ore making
the best kind of mixture with the Mesabi ores. Chapin ore never sold as readily
as it did during the past year.
The Range-Tribune , Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 42
[Saturday, February 19, 1898], page 1, column 4
A QUEER VERDICT
----
Anderson and Tews Met Death Through Their Own Negligence, Say the Jury.
----
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Book Page 139
Frank Hadish, the young operator at Arbutus, held at Pembine for alleged criminal negligence for Friday morning's wreck on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St.
Paul road, in which Chas. Anderson and John Tews were killed, arrived in the
city Sun day morning having been acquitted by the coroner's jury late Saturday
evening.
The jury brought in a verdict that the men met their death through their own
negligence by not protecting their train with a flagman. This is considered by
many railroad employes as being a mighty queer verdict.
The funeral of the late Chas. Anderson took place Sunday afternoon from the
Swedish Mission Church. The church was crowded with relatives and friends of the
deceased. Many railroad employes came up from Green Bay and other points along
the road to pay their last respects to the departed friend and associate. Many
beautiful floral tributes were sent to the late residence of the deceased and
the remains were literally buried in flowers.
The body of Tews was forwarded Sunday to the home of his father at Whitefish
Bay, where the funeral was [to] be held Monday.
A railroad man said Sunday night this wreck would cost the railroad company
about $20,000.
The Range-Tribune , Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 44 [Saturday, March 5, 1898], page 5, column 1
BOTH LEGS CUT OFF.
----
Chas. Sorenson Run Over by a St. Paul Freight Train at Amberg.
----
WILL CLARK SAW THE ACCIDENT.
----
Sorenson Implored the Railroad Men to Telegraph His Mother That He Would Die --
Taken to the Marinette Hospital -- He may Die.
----
Will Clark, of the United States Express company, witnesses a shocking accident
last Friday afternoon at Amberg on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul road.
Chas[.] Sorenson, a woodsman 22 years of age, unmarried, was caught. under the
trucks of a freight train and both legs cut off below the knees.
The passenger train, due here at 3:10 p.m., had pulled into Amberg. Clark was in
the express car watching a freight train switching on the side track close by. A
crossing was blocked and Sorenson, anxious to catch the passenger train, crawled
beneath the cars. He was just emerging from beneath the cars when the train
started up. Both legs were caught by the wheels which passed over them, cutting
them both off below the knees.
Trainmen picked the injured man up and he was taken to the Menominee River Hospital at Marinette. While the men were carrying him to the train the poor fellow
implored them to telegraph his mother that he would die, and he apparently
showed but little nerve.
The doctors had to amputate both of his limbs just above the ankles. His feet
hung by the skin only, his legs being ground off by the heavy car wheels.
It was wholly impossible to save either of them.
He retained consciousness until about nine o'clock when his pulse became very
weak. His life fluttered for existence until about twelve o'clock, when he
passed away.
HIS ONLY ANXIETY.
Under a rough and unvarnished exterior is sometimes hidden the tenderest and noblest of personalities. Such was the character of Hans Sorenson. Not once while he was conscious and suffering with the terrible pain of his mangled limbs did he
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Book Page 140
manifest the slightest concern for himself, says the Marinette Eagle. He bore
the anguish without a whimper and all his thoughts were turned towards his
mother for whom he was the only prop to lean on. "Oh! what will my poor
mother do now. She will starve," and[,] "doctor don't cut off both of
my legs, I want to take care of my mother. She will starve if I don't support
her," were the only exclamations of the fatally injured lad. This tender
solicitude for the woman who bore and brought him up in the world continued
until he was unable to speak.
It was heart touching and moved all to pity. His camp comrades all speak of him
in the highest terms and say that his sole reason for hurrying when he started
for the train was to reach his mother sooner and bring to her the money which he
had earned in the woods.
FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE NORTHWESTERN.
Albert Coveau was killed Friday by jumping off a Chicago & Northwestern
train at Negaunee. He landed in a snow bank, lost his balance, and rolled under
t[h]e wheels. His head was severed and his left leg cut off below the knee. He
was 21 years old and a resident of Ishpeming.
The Range-Tribune, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 48
[Saturday, April 2, 1898], page 7, column 2
INSPECTION IS EXTENDED.
----
Nearly all Employes of the Northwestern Comes [sic] Under the New Order.
----
Taking
effect April 1, the Chicago & Northwestern Railway company will inaugurate
a system of watch inspection which will be conducted by local Inspector Ed.
Newbauer [sic] acting under the supervision of A.M. Church and Company, Chicago,
who have been appointed general inspectors.
The instructions sent out state that the standard of excellence adopted for
watches is of a grade equal to what is known as seventeen jewel, patent
regulator, fully adjusted, the variation of which must not exceed thirty seconds
per week.
These instructions apply to trainmasters, train dispatchers, conductors, train
baggagemen, brakemen, train flagmen, yardmasters, foremen of switchengines
[sic], engineers, firemen, engine dispatchers and roundhouse foremen.
The above employes are required to submit their watches for examination, and to
receive a certificate showing them to be of the required standard, on or before
April 1. In addition to filing a certificate, they are also required to submit
their watches once each week to the local inspector for comparison and a rating
record.
Copies of the circular containing the order have been received by the em- [sic]
employes concerned.
The information found on the preceeding pages is quite comprehensive, including almost every article pertaining to the railroads in the Dickinson County for the time period covered. However, material from other area newspapers, such as Norway's The Current, should be reviewed and appropriate articles added to complete the history. The material which follows is not inclusive, and future research will be necessary to complete the record. A quick glimpse of the other two railroads extended into Dickinson County -- the Escanaba & Lake Superior in the north and the Wisconsin & Michigan in the south -- is included to show what happened shortly
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Book Page 141
after the turn of the century along the tracks in this area.
Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 5, Number 7
[Thursday, July 5, 1900], page 1, column 3
WORK PROGRESSING RAPIDLY.
----
Escanaba & Lake Superior Road Extension Being Pushed From Channing Eastward.
The right of way for the extension of the Escanaba & Lake Superior road from
Wells to Channing, has been cut. The road will penetrate a dense forest.
Sol Fraser, of Menominee, has completed his contract, having cut seven miles of
the right of way from Channing eastward. The remainder of the right of way was
cut by contracting agents.
Nearly twenty-one miles of road bed has been graded, and the work is progressing surprisingly well. Nearly four hundred men are employed.
The extension will be twenty-nine miles long. The work of laying the steel rails
commenced last Monday. Over 2,500 tons of steel has been purchased. The company
will be running trains over the new road in two months.
The Current, Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 2 [Saturday,
February 14, 1903], page 1, column 3
STURGEON BRIDGE.
The foundation work of the W. & M. bridge, over the Sturgeon river,
including the driving of the wing piles, has been completed; seventy-five piles
being used. The superstructure will consist of a 125 foot Howe truss of modern
design, and the timber used will be Washington fir. The bridge is designed to
carry a 150-ton locomotive followed by a train, weighing 5,000 pounds per lineal
foot.
The Current, Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 10 [Saturday, April
11, 1903], page 1, column 2
GRADING RESUMED.
Grading on the W. & M. has been resumed and contractor Marsch has nearly 100 men at work along the line. It is expected that the track laying crew will commence work in about three weeks. The Sturgeon bridge will be ready very shortly and the promise of the officials that there will be trains running into the city by the first of July will undoubtedly be made good.
The Current, Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 11 [Saturday, April
18, 1903], page 1, column 2
W. & M.
The W. & M. will not commence the erection of a depot at this place or any
other, for some time, reports to the contrary notwithstanding. The one contemplated for this place will be built just north of the Nelson School Building and
will not be commenced until after the track is laid, so that the necessary
material can be hauled. At Faithorn, the W. & M. will have to build an
overhead crossing where it crosses the Soo line and it is feared that at this
point there will be consider able delay.
The Current, Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 18 [Saturday,
*********
Book Page 142
June 6, 1903], page 1, column 2
WISCONSIN & MICHIGAN.
Rail on the W. & M. has been laid for a distance of fifteen hundred feet
north of the C. & N.W. undercrossing. It is expected that trains will be
running into the city by July 1st, as was anticipated. Work on the depot will
commence as soon as the material can be hauled. Contractor Marsch is rushing
matters on the Hanbury line which will enter the city on the South side.
The Current, Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 20 [Saturday, June
20, 1903], page 1, column 3
WISCONSIN & MICHIGAN.
Tuesday the construction train on the extension of the W. & N. Ry., into
this city reached a point near the residence of Hon. John Perkins in the first
ward, and the time is not far distant when Norway will have another railway
outlet.
The Current, Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 24 [Saturday, July
18, 1903], page 1, column 5
WISCONSIN & MICHIGAN RY.
We were informed this week by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McKenna, of Quinnesec, that
they had sold to the Wisconsin & Michigan Ry., the right-of-way through
their land near Quinnesec, for a consideration of $2,500. This would seem to
insure the en trance into Quinnesec of the railway at no distant date.
Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 8, Number 7
[Thursday, August 6, 1903], page 5, column 1
WISCONSIN & MICHIGAN.
----
Schedule Calls for Operation of Trains Commencing Aug. 16th.
Trains on the new branch of the Wisconsin & Michigan road will commence running from Norway to Peshtigo harbor August 16th, the schedule having been
arranged so that there will be two passenger trains each way daily.
Supt. S.N. Harison [sic] was in Chicago this week conferring with officials of
the road in regard to the new time card and arranging for the trains. There will
be a train leave Peshtigo each morning and evening for Menominee range points
and two trains will come from there morning and evening. The passenger trains
will be elegantly fitted up. The cars have been rebuilt at the shops in Peshtigo
and new engines have been sent up from the Chicago Terminal road to be used in
this service.
Besides the two passenger trains each day there will be one or more freights.
The company has arranged for train crews and the new stations at several points
north of Faithorn Junction will be opened August 15th. Ore service will begin as
soon as the train service is installed. The company has contracted for the deli
very of thousands of tons of ore from Menominee.
The Wisconsin & Michigan road has rebuilt and fitted up several of the
passenger coaches to be used in the new train service on the Norway branch
after August 16th, when the new schedule will go into effect. To haul two
passenger trains daily two engines have been leased from the Chicago Terminal
road, and one of them was delivered here last week.
Work on the new road bed is nearly completed so that the trains can be running
by that time.
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Book Page 143
The Current, Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 27 [Saturday,
August 8, 1903], page 1, column 2
WISCONSIN & MICHIGAN.
The W. & M. depot in this city is about completed and it is a very neat and
convenient structure. The Company will begin running regular passenger trains
about the 15th inst. Chief engineer McGowan was in the city, yesterday, and he
says: [sic] that while they have over 300 men at work between Norway and
Peshtigo, they could and would employ 600 if the men were to be had.
Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 8, Number 8
[Thursday, August 13, 1903], page 5, column 4
WISCONSIN & MICHIGAN.
----
Wants to Employ Six Hundred Additional Men.
The Wisconsin & Michigan railway while it is now employing about 300 men on
various works of extension, is comparatively speaking short of help and would employ 600 if they could be secured. That is the statement that Chief Engineer McGowan of the road made to the Menominee Herald the other day.
The Wisconsin and Michigan road now has a crew working on the overhead crossing
over the Soo line at Faithorn Junction, one grading the track just north of
Faithorn Junction and one laying steel between Norway and Quinnesec, this crew
having nearly completed the work of laying the rails to Quinnesec. A crew is
also at work extending the Twin Creek branch of the road, in toward Lake
Noquebay.
If the men could be secured then all these crews would be increased. However the
construction is going along in a very satisfactory manner, and in a week active
traffic over the line from Norway south will be commenced.
According to the plans of the Norway committee on a Labor Day celebration, an
excursion will run from this city and Marinette to Norway thus taking as many
people from these two cities and towns along the line to Norway as possible.
This is directly in opposition to the plans of the local committee which wants
all the excursions possible to come here, for the celebration in this city will
be a big one. The inducements offered to come to Menominee are greater, for the
pro gram will eclipse anything in this vicinity.
The Current, Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 28 [Saturday,
August 15, 1903], page 1, column 5
WISCONSIN & MICHIGAN.
Beginning tomorrow, Aug. 16, this road will run two daily passenger trains each
way between Norway and Peshtigo. The trains will leave Norway at 6:40 A.M. and
3:25 P.M. and will arrive at Norway at 11:20 A.M. For tomorrow excursion rates
will [be] given each way, the price of round-trip tickets being $1.50 and for
this date only the A.M. train will leave at 7 o'clock. As will be seen by posted
time table, J.F. Jackson has been appointed general agent and any required
information will be cheerfully furnished by him.
The Current, Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 29 [Saturday,
August 22, 1903], page 1, column 2
WISCONSIN & MICHIGAN.
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Book Page 144
The running of regular trains on the W. & M. Ry., twixt Norway and Peshtigo,
began Sunday last, the first train out of here being run as excursion trains
[sic] at a special rate of fare. A large number of our people went on the
morning train and had practically a day at down road points, while a number went
at 3:55 in the afternoon and returned at about midnight.
The train from [the] south brought a large number of people, some of whom had
never visited an iron range before.
The early train from here had attached to it the official car of the road with
Supt. Harrison and his assistants of the several departments therein and a few
of our people were invited to accept their hospitality on the car.
The ride was a very pleasant one and the roadbed in very fine condition except
at one or two places where the steam shovel is at work changing the grade.
The under grade crossing at Sturgeon is a costly and solid piece of work while
the over grade crossing at Faithorn where the road crosses the Soo is not yet
complete, the filling of approaches not yet being all done. The total amount of
sand used in this work will exceed 150,000 yards.
Among the visitors on the train which arrived about noon from the south were
many prominent citizens of Menominee and Marinette and a delegation of newspaper
men who came up to exchange the sawdust in their shoes for a little iron ore
dust.
It need only a ride over the road to satisfy one that the W. & M. people
have had many difficulties to contend with in serving our city and that the
undertaking has been an expensive one in almost every way. That they will
eventually be repaid for their persistence goes without saying.
Among the visitors to Norway from down-road points were, Cashier Blesh, of the
First Nat. Bank; Dr. Hicks, Joseph Soults, of The Leader, and A.B. BeDell of
Menominee; W.J. Hubbard of the Eagle Star of Marinette; W.H. Lindslay, of
Chicago, E. Fitzgerald, of Marquette.
Messrs. Harrison, Fitzgerald, Forsman and Jackson of the railway officers were
most excellent entertainers and the trip both ways was very pleasant.
The Current, Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 38 [Saturday,
October 24, 1903], page 1, column 2
WISCONSIN & MICHIGAN.
The line of the W. & M. will reach Quinnesec in a few days and the depot at
that place is nearly completed. A.F. McGillis is building a bridge across the
Sturgeon on what is called the Aragon branch of the road and it is expected
that the rails will be laid before winter.
The Current, Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XIX, Number 39 [Saturday,
October 31, 1903], page 1, column 4
TRAIN TO QUINNESEC.
The W. & M. will run its first passenger train to Quinnesec tomorrow,
leaving Norway at 11:20. The depot at that place has been completed and operator
Hansen, who has been stationed at Loretto, will be in charge. A number of the
officials of the road will make the initial trip. Rail has been laid west of
Quinnesec for the distance of one mile.
Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 8, Number 28
[Thursday, December 3, 1903], page 1, column 6
NEW TERMINAL STATION.
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Book Page 145
The Wisconsin & Michigan Railroad company is building a terminal station one mile west of Quinnesec for the purpose of handling the passenger and freight traffic for Iron Mountain. The building is 16x40 and is being built by Contractor Axel Newman, of Norway, who expects to have it completed in about two weeks. When ready for traffic the proposed stage line will be put into commission and an effort will be made to secure some of the Iron Mountain business. Contractor Newman also has the job of building a round-house at Quinnesec which will be located just west of the Cundy mine and a water tank just east of Quinnesec, where the track crosses the creek on the McKenna farm. The road is to be extended to Iron Mountain in the spring, as soon as the frost is out of the ground.
Two newspaper accounts of Dickinson County's most disastrous train accident will conclude this brief history of area railroads. In the early morning of October 31, 1906, five men were killed at Quinnesec Junction when a Milwaukee, Chicago and St. Paul freight train and a train carrying miners from the Traders Mine collided head on in a dense fog.
Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 11, Number 24
[Thursday, November 1, 1906], page 1, columns 3-4
FIVE MEET DEATH
----
IN A COLLISION ON THE ST. PAUL ROAD YESTERDAY MORNING.
----
Nine Others Are Badly Crippled and Bruised --
Collision Between a Freight and a Passenger.
KILLED.
Joseph Trepanier, son of Mr. and Mrs. Come Trepanier, aged twenty-four years,
unmarried, employed at the mine shaft as car-spotter, head crushed and neck
broken. Was a member of the Order of Eagles.
Charles Morell, head and face crushed, right leg burned, left leg broken, aged
thirty-five years, widower, leaves two daughters aged eight and six years,
employed at the mine as pumpman.
Leonardo Galli, head crushed, aged twenty-two years, sole support of an aged
father and a brother in Italy, both crippled, brother of Mrs. Antonio Tomasoni,
who resides on Third street. Was an electrical engineer, but owing to the fact
that he could not speak English was employed as a miner. Was a member of the Colombo-Fratellanza society. Funeral on Sunday.
John Pleckinger, brakeman employed on the switch engine was caught under the
engine, both legs badly scalded, was alive when rescued, but died at St.
George's Hospital at 1:30 p.m.; was twenty-two years of age and single; parents
reside at Wausaukee, where remains were taken for burial; had been in the employ
of the rail way company four months.
----
Thomas Cowling, both legs and abdomen badly burned, was caught under red hot stove in forward coach; cannot live; is twenty-four years of age; was married about six months ago and resided at 317 West Fleshiem street; was employed as fire man at the mine. Later -- Died last evening.
----
SERIOUSLY INJURED.
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Book Page 146
Urban Dessureau, right leg badly burned and back injured; believed to be injured internally; thought he will recover; employed as blacksmith at the mine;
taken to his home at 600 West Ludington street; has wife and several children.
John Burt, Jr., left leg badly burned; is at the hospital; employed at the mine
as blacksmith's helper; unmarried.
Humberto Mainly, both legs broken; employed as a miner; at the hospital.
Edward Merrifield, badly contused right leg and back; now at hospital; employed
as a miner.
Joseph Cavitione, compound fracture of the left leg; employed as a miner; now at
the hospital.
----
SLIGHTLY INJURED.
Tony Folenti, cage-tender; general contusions; sent home.
Orso Schenk, miner's helper; general contusions; sent
home.
Alex Poirier, engineer at the mine; general contusions; sent home.
Fred Tonne, engineer on the switch engine; abrased face and nose; sent home.
Luigi Pellegrinni, miner; general contusions; sent home.
----
The most disasterous [sic] wreck in the history of the Lake Superior division of
the St. Paul road occurred at Quinnesec Junction, about two and a half miles
from the city depot, at 6:30 o'clock yesterday morning.
Three men were killed outright, one died from his injuries a few hours after the
accident, the death of a fourth [sic] is momentarily expected, and half a dozen
others were injured more or less seriously.
The accident was caused by a northbound extra freight train and the train employed in conveying men to and from the Traders mine colliding in a dense fog.
The freight train was composed of eight loaded cars and seven empties and the
passenger train of two coaches. Conductor Wallace and Engineer Gunoley were in
charge of the freight train and Conductor Harper and Engineer Tonne of the
passenger.
The blame for the accident -- if any one is at fault -- is hard to fix at this
writing. It seems that each crew had orders to look out for the other. Evidently
it was anticipated that the freight train would clear the Junction before the
passenger entered the main track from the branch to the mine. No night operator
is employed at the Junction at this season of the year, the day man working
from 7:00 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. At the point where the trains smashed together
there is a sag in the track. According to the engineers on both trains there was
a dense fog and they could not see three car lengths ahead. The engineers [sic]
of the freight says that, at the time of the accident, he was not running to
exceed fifteen miles an hour. The passenger train must have been running much
faster.
When the two engines collided head—on the impact was so terrific that the tender of the passenger engine was driven back half way through the forward coach.
Nearly all the mine employes, some forty in number, were in the forward coach
and were crowded around the stove.
As soon as possible after the accident medical aid was summoned and the killed
and injured received every attention.
The impact of the two engines was so great that both are smashed almost beyond
repair. The forward wheels were interlocked so closely that the the [sic] smoke
stacks were within a few feet of each other. The track was not cleared of the
wreck age until 11:30, the north and southbound passenger train being detained
until after the noon hour.
The Current, Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume XXII, Number 40 [Saturday,
November 3, 1906], page 1, column 3
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Book Page 147
FATAL COLLISION.
Three Men Instantly Killed and Many Seriously Hurt at Iron Mountain.
Wednesday morning just before seven o'clock, a train made up of a locomotive and
two coaches carrying the night crew from the Traders mine to Iron Mountain on
the C.M. & St. P. track, met a heavy freight train and a terrible head-end
collision ensued. The tender of the passenger train was driven through the
first coach killing three men outright and crushing and burning several others
who may die. The dead were removed to the city morgues and the injured to St.
George's hospital where every thing is being done to alleviate their sufferings.
The responsibility for the calamity has not been fully ascertained. The names of
the dead and injured so far as can be learned are as follows:
KILLED.
Joseph Trepanier, Leonardo Galli, Chas. Morreli.
INJURED.
Orso Schenk, general contusions, Tony Folenti, general contusions; Alex Poirier,
general contusions; Fred Tonney, face scratched and slightly burned; John Burt,
left leg burned; Humberdo Manelli, both legs broken; Thomas Cowling, badly
burned; Ed. Merryfield, contused leg; Charles Dessureau, burned leg; Joseph Cafetione, leg broken.
DIED FROM INJURIES.
John Pleckinger a brakeman employed on the passenger was caught between the
tender and cab in attempting to jump. He was alive when rescued but was badly
scalded and injured internally. He succumbed to his injuries at 1:30 p.m. the
same day.
Thos. Cowling a fireman at the mine was caught under a red hot stove in for ward
coach and was so badly burned about legs and abdomen, that he died Wednesday
evening.
Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume Ii, Number 26
[Thursday, November 15, 1906], page 1, column 2
GROSS NEGLIGENCE.
"We find that the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway company
committed a gross negligence in allowing a freight train in the same block when
the Traders passenger was running on its schedule time." The foregoing is
the verdict of the coroner's jury in the case of men who were recently killed in
the collision at Quinnesec Junction.
The Wisconsin & Michigan Railway Company opened a line connecting the Cundy Mine in Quinnesec with Iron Mountain on June 30, 1909, forming the northern terminus of this railroad. This railroad company was abandoned January 13, 1938, although the last train south from Iron Mountain left July 1 of that year.
On the following page a time card for the Wisconsin & Michigan Railway dated as effective Sunday, May 2, 1909, is reproduced, showing the route from Peshtigo to Iron Mountain and the train schedule.
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Book Page 148
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Book Page 149
Map of the Chicago & North-Western System -- 1908
[Enlarged Detail]
A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North-Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways, Chicago, Illinois: 1908
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Book Page 150
The Official Guide of the Railways, September, 1954, page 1058
[From the Collection of Roy Paananen, Marquette, Michigan]
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Book Page 151
ALONG THE TRACKS IN DICKINSON COUNTY, MICHIGAN
The four railways which served Dickinson County over the years are listed below,
complete with their various branch lines. The mileage given is the distance
from the initial station on that line -- most often the place at
which original construction began. In Michigan construction usually progressed
from east to west or south to north. Mileages without decimals indicate
approximate locations.
Material in this section was adapted from information presented in Along the Tracks: A Directory of Named Places on Michigan Railroads by Graydon M.
Meints: Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, 1987.
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Book Page 152
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Book Page 153
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DICKINSON COUNTY FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS TOUR BOOKLETS
1979 - THREE HISTORIC HOME WALKING PATHS IN IRON MOUNTAIN
1980 - A HISTORIC PATH THROUGH DOWNTOWN IRON MOUNTAIN
1981 - A MINING TRAIL ON THE EASTERN MENOMINEE RANGE
1982 - A TOUR PAST SOME HISTORIC HOMES OF NORWAY
1983 - FORD COMES TO IRON MOUNTAIN: THE BIRTH OF KINGSFORD
1984 - THE EVOLUTION OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY IN MICHIGAN'S DICKINSON COUNTY
1985 - THE HOUSE ATOP THE HILL: AN HISTORIC HOME THAT BECAME THE CHIPPEWA CLUB
1986 - THE QUINNESEC FIRE OF 1906
1987 - A FOND RECOLLECTION OF IRON MOUNTAIN'S OLDEST, LARGEST AND FINEST HOTEL 1887-1987 [DICKINSON INN]
1988 - THE DICKINSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND JAIL: THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT AND JUSTICE FOR MICHIGAN'S NEWEST COUNTY
1988 - THE NORWAY FIRE OF 188.3 AND THE REBUILDING OF THE BUSINESS DISTRICT IN OLD TOWN
1989 - WAUCEDAH: SITE OF THE FIRST MINE TO SHIP ORE FROM THE MENOMINEE IRON RANGE AND THE FIRST STOP ON THE MENOMINEE RIVER RAILWAY
1990 - ALL ABOARD! ALONG THE TRACKS IN DICKINSON COUNTY, MICHIGAN