deal Society
JJorth
ilattr nti
mum &
runme
TWENTY-
SIXTIJ
YEAR.
NORTH PLATO, NEBRASKA, JUNE 0, 1911
NO 89
jj TOWf AND COUNTY NEWS
Details of Friday's Catastrophe.
The Findings of the Board of Investigation
and the Coroners Jury.
Not in many years has anything hap
pened in this vicinity that so excited
and completely awed the community in
general as the terrible disaster of last
Friday morning when the lives of three
of our citizens were blotted out with
the suddenness of a flash of light
ning, and thousands of dollars worth
of damage 'inflicted to rolling stock of
thn Union Pacific company as well
ns to perishable goods in shipment,
such as fruit, grain, fish, lumber,
etc. Evidently not one moment's warn
ing came to give the ill fated men
a chanco for their lives, as eye wit
nessea say EnginecV Kelly was seen to
each for the cord to whistle for across
ing and a faint whistle was heard just
before the explosion.
As is always the case in such acci
dents, even thoso nearby cannot
describe very completely, or in an in
telligent way fll, just what followed.
The complete confusion of the mind
following tho shock of such sights so
bewilders or awes ono that but little
is remembered or can be explained of
what is Been, and so a graphic accotint
f the explosion will never be told.
The tons of amassed, twisted and dis
torted steel and wreckage piled high in
a heap, the fragments of the mechanism
and boiler of tho mighty locomotive
scattered over a space of several hun
dreds of yards, and the grewsomo
bodies of the sacrificed lives, told plain
ly and more than any word picture, the
nwful casualty.
The explosion occurred at about 9:30
o'clock when the freight, coming east,
was nearing North Platte and had
reached tho siding about one mile east
of Birdwood, or about fivo miles west
of this city.
Iew8 of the accident reached the
compapy officials here almost instantly,
and tho wrecker mid medical assistance
was dispatched atthe earliest possiblo
moment. The news spread almost as
rapidly ovor the city, and in a remarkable
short time auto3 and vehicles of every
dlscription left for tho scene, white hun
dreds who had no means of conveyance
struck out afoot. Some in autos reached
the scene in advance of the wrecking
crew and viewed tho grounds heforo
anything had been disturbed, All day
and late into the evening, as well us on
Saturday morning, a constant string of
the auto3 and conveyances transported
sightseers, so thatmosteveryono In ci'y
got a glimpsoof the worse mix up that
ever occurred on that division. In loss
of life and destruction of rolling stock,
it is considered ono of the most costly
in the history of the company. It is the
first accident of the kind that ever oc
curred here.
Some better idea of the mighty force
of tho explosion can be grasped when it
i known that the compact forced' the
boiler clear from the truck, across ono
track, plunged into the south embank
ment of the ditch, tore a hole in tho
earth large enough to hide an ordinary
wagon, bounded up through and demol
ished the telegraph wires, traveled some
BO ft. and (ore another big hole in tho
earth, bounded again for 20 ft.,
plunged into the ground, leaving an
imprint tof tho boiler rim and flues in
delibly impressed, turned a complete
sommersault and partly imbedded
itself Into tho earth.
Engineer Kelly was hurled a distance
of 350 yards. His body was mutilated
beyond recognition. Not only was ho
frightfully scalded nnd bruised but tho
head and trunk were separated His
body was flung to-the southwest of tho
engine, while the firoman and brakeman
were tossed almost in the opposite
direction for 400ft., the brakeman 's body
being found "bout 60 ft. east from that
of fireman Smith. Thojnttcr'abody was
badly mutilated but brakeman Thomp
son'q body showed no signs of mutila
tion beyond a gash in the forehead,
some bruises on the body and scalds
from tho steam.
Thirteen freight cars burdened with
shipments consigned to all parts of
tho country, wore wrecked and com
pressed in a heap that in length would
not cover more than a distance- of four
car lengths. Fruit, grain, fish, n.id
lumber were scattered promiscuously.
A car of oranges was telescoped, the
roof of the carin'd n layor of oranges
being transplanted to tho ditch ns
nicely as if placed there by hand.
Oranges were strewn everywhere
The big hole torn in tho earth bv tho
boiler when it first struck was partly
filled with the fruit Everybody
thought them free for hn tikiag, and
took, till the cargo was pretty well
disposed of, in spite of the strenuous
efforts of Watchman Robinson to pro
vent tho appropriation of the company's
gpods.
Mr. Hunt, a farmer at work ncarbv.
and Charles Trovillo, driving at a short
distance from tho scene, both witnessed
the explosion.
mo wreckage was cleared from the
track by 4 o'clock p. m.. so that pas
senger traffic was not delayed for any
length of timo.
A larger force of men were con
stantly at work from the timo of tho
accident till Sunday night clearing
away tho ruin. Saturday morning the
body of the unknown man who was
burled beneath tho wreckage was re
moved and brought to this city.
Nothing found on the body of the
man disclosed his identity, beyond a
small note book in which was kept n
memoranda of timo worked in Boise
City, Idaho. Later n wayfarer who
had been put off the train at Julcsburg,
reached the scene of the accident and
upon learning particulars and securing
a description of the unfortunate, stated
that the mnn had been in the employ of
a banker at Boise City as chaffeur,
that he was going to his homo in the
east, and that he had a gold watch and
chain when last he had seen him.
Shei-flT Miltonborger wired the banker
at Boise City, and in response secured
the address of the man's mother, who
was notified of the accident. Her ad
dress is, Mrs. Sarah Ginsberg, 170
Madison St., New Yqrk. A telegram
from, her Sunday evening requested
that the body of her son Louis be
shipped at onco, but later she tele
graphed to bury the body here, and
her wish was complied with.
(CONTINUED ON I'AUE fouh)
To Close Out
The balance of our spring- line of
' V
Ii ABIES' TAILOR SUITS
We will make a price on the 19 suits remaining- that
should interest vou.
$15.00
Suits for
$7.98
$18 and $20
Suits
$12.98
$25 and $35
t
Suits
$16.98
i
You will have to come early if you get one.
Wilcox Department Store.
TheC. F. IddingsCo. Is erecting ,i
250-ton capacity coal shed at Sutherland
Sutherland is showing its progressive.
ncss by putting In cement crosswalks.
The Indian Card Club will be enter
tained by Mrs. Ed Vanderhoof on Wed
nesday afternoon.
Judge Grimes has accepted an invitn
tioh to deliver tho Fourth of July ad-'
dress nt Oshkosh.
k Master Kenneth Whelan is giving a
party this afternoon in honor of his
eighth birth anniversary.
Rob Armstrong and Dr. O. H. Cress-
Ier went to Omaha yesterday morning
to attend the Masonic grand lodge.
Silk Hose GO cents a pair at the Wil
cox Department Store.
Mrs, Isaac Dilllon left Saturday for"!
a month's visit with her son Sidney on
the ranch twelve miles north of Sarben.
Miss Emma Smith, principal of the
Lincoln school, loft Saturdny night for
Farley, Iowa, where she will spend tho
summer vacation.
V. M. Baskin, was over from Gaudy
Saturday layinglin a supply of neces
saries. His children who havo attended
school in the city, returned with him.
L. Carpenter wa3 in town yesterday
transacting business. He says crops in
tho south part of tho county look fine.
They had rains in that section last
Thursday and'Friday uvenings.
Ernest Jlinckcr returned Saturday
from Quiftcy, III., where ho had been
attending tho Gem City commercial
college. He has completed the course
and will tako a position in his father's
store.
About 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon an
alarm of firo called the department out
for a long chase to the northeast part of"
town. A family living on Tenth stroot
had ri lively experienco with a gasolino
stove that took fire. Tho blaze was
smothered before tho firemen arrive'd
and no danger resulted.
A number of Sunday School instruc
tors of the various churches of the citv
have signified their attention of attend!
ing tho state meeting in session in Grand
Island this week. It is stated that a
much larger attendanco is expected at
the convention tnis year than at any
previous session, through the registra
tion at Kearney last year was a thous-and.
John Bycrle will leavo for Sutherlin,
Oregon, the last of the week where he
will engage in tho furniture and hard
ware business in company with Mrs.
Jennio Armstrong. He will ship a car
of goods from hor'e, and contained in
the consignment is four splendid horses.
Mrs. Beyerlo will not join her husband
for several weeks, during which timo
Mrs. Armstrong expects to dispose of
her interests here. Her son Frank and
wife, will go to Sutherlin about the 15th.
He will look after his mother's interests
in tho store. Mrs. Armstrong says, sho
was delighted with tho western country
when out there last seuson, nnd is
anxious to locate there.
The cntertainmentgivenby the pupils
of Mrs. W. V. Lucas' room in tho
Washington building Friday aftornoon,
was an exceptionally interesting one.
Four members of the board of educa
tion wre present and many of tho
parents of pupils, as well as others.
The first purt or tho program consisted
of songs and recitations, the second
part was a cantata. This latter was
presented in a very creditable manner,
there was notu "bobblo" on thepnrt of
uny of those taking part. Mrs. Lucas as
well as tho pupils were warmly con
gratulated upon tho success of the en
tertainment. Short addresses wore made
by members of tho board and others.
Symbolic of marriage itself, a wed
ding present should endure for genera
tions of service. Solid sliver does this.
That is the reason it has always been
profenvd for wedding gifts.- May wo
show you some of our now patterns'
Dixon, Tho Jewelor.
Born on tho frontier; nursed on the
boundless prairies; raised on tho plains;
educated in tho saddle, that is the
history of Frank Kirsch, tho owner and
manager and Director General of Th
Big Show that bears his name. He lo as
prouu 01 ins ancestors as 11 tney were
Kings end potentates and well h mUy
be, as his family moved from Kentucky
long ere the principal figures of The
King of the Cowpunehers appeared on
tho Bcencof life and here they havo
lived and here they live today, owning
and farming n vast area of land in
Southern Kansas as Mr. Kirsch ad
vanced in years his mind pictured out a
wild western play. He wrote the piece
and plays the leading character. This
1 in Drier is tne nistory of The King of
I the Cowpunehers, and their popular
) owner, Note tho date Thursday, June
8th.
r
1 K
TIME GROWING SHORT!
In t less than a month the Great .Alteration Sale at The'
Leader will close. This sale is nothing1 less than a carnival of
bargains, an opportunity to' buy all classes of seasonable
merchandise at a
25 to 50 Per Gent Discount.
This sale is no advertising- dodge the stock must be de-'creased-before
th interior alterations of the rooms begin. ThcV
'plans for remodeling the building- have been accepted and work '
t
will begin July 5th. The economical buyer should recognize the
value of this sale to them a saving of from one-fourth to one-
- ' v . Vr' . '
half on goods that are needed at this season of the year.
' r . . .
" Why, further delaythis opportunity to save -money?
J,
THE .LEADER?
J. PIZER, Proprietor.
Mail Matter Handled.
During tho montji of May, by order
of the department, an accurate account
of tho mail handled by the local post
office was kopt. To those who pay
little attention to such affairs tho re
sult will no doubt be surprising. The
figures are as follows:
Number of pieces handed by clerks-
incoming mail 112,257, outgoing mail
93,207, total 205,464.
Number of pieces handled by car
riers pieces collected 0,284, pieces do-
lived 87,644, total 93,928.
Office business-LotterB and packages
registered and handled 1,200, number
of money orders issued 1,100, postal
business $1,160,37, special delivery bus
iness $6.40,
rieces carried by It. F. D". carrier
(ono route) 5,696.
Mail matter is handled by from five
to eloven times by clerks and carriers
beforo it is sent out or received and
put in tho hands of the patrons. Tak
ing eight as the average times handled,
it is equivalent to handling one piece of
mail over one million six hundred times;
these figures not including the matter
handled in tho money order and regis
try departments.
For a town of 6,000 the above show
ing of postal business is certainly grat
ifying,
Act's of Kindness.
Tho latter part of last week Switch
Foreman Harry Johnson found an old
soldier soventy-cight years of age, sick
and penniless in the railroad yards. It
appearing to Harry that the old gentle
men was in a critical condition he took
him to his homo, and reported the
matter to the G. A. II, post. Some of
the members called on the comrado,
learned his story and furnished him
transportation to Sidney. It seems
the old gentleman had been living in
Ogden nnd had gone to Missouri to visit
a brother. When he reached the lat
ter state he found tho brother had
moved and no one knew his whre
abouts. Ho started back to Ogden,
duc wnen no reaensa nero no uaa ex
pended all his money, and also became
tck, ..and when fouiwlby Mr. Johnson
was in a pitiable condition.
Not Now, But Later.
Tho News-Blade has secured an ad
mission from prominent railroad men
that tho grading which was commenced
last week at this place is being dono to
prepare for the line from Bridgeport to
Kearney, and that this work is Included
In tho new trackage which was decided
upon when $60,000,000 bonds were
authorized by the Hill companies. They
say that no contracts havo yet been let,
and that a re-survey of tho line will bo
necessary, but sometime before U10 ex
piration of three yeara tho line will bo
built and in operation. Bridgeport
NewB-Blado,
Station Agent Bullard wont to Om
aha last night to attend tho sessions of
the grand lodge of Masons,
In a recent game of ballbotween the
Ft. Logan soldier team and tho team of
the Denver school which Leo Pass is
attending, thq score stood two to one in
favor of the school team. Leo caught
tho game and mado tho winning score
on a three bagger. He has had offers
from several teams, but has decided to
spend vacation at home and will return
here the latter part of this month.
The woman of today who has good
health, good temper, good sonBe, bright
eyes and a lovely complexion, tho re
sult of correct living and good digestion,
wins tho admiration of the world. If
your digestion Is faulty Chamberlain's
Stomach and Livor tablets wHI correct
it. For sale by all dealers.
The Keystone correspondent of the
Ogalalla News says: Mr. Drury came in
from North Piatt Friday in response to
a dispatch from his wife who is living
on their homestead in the hills. Ho was
met by Coroner Likens and Sheriff
Benl and presented with a small-pox
card which he was requested to post
outside his homo and consider himself
and family quarantined. It appears
that they have had small-pox for some
timo and the noighbors are apprehen
sive of the dread disease becoming general,
A Dreadful Wound
from a knife, gun, tin can, rusty nail,
fireworks, or of any other' nature, de
mands prompt treatment with Buckien'a
Arnica Salve to provent blood poison or
gangrene. Its tho quickest, 'surest
healer for all such wounds as
also for Burns, Boils, Sores, Skin Erup
tions, Eczema, Chapped IltindB, Corns
or Piles. 26 at Stono Drug Co.
Bids For Two School Houses.
The school board of District No. 127
hereby calls for bids on the construction
of two school.houses in District No, 127,
ono senooi nouso to do located near tne
Catholic cemotery and one about 1J
miles cast of the Bratt School House.
Tho board desires bids off three kinds
of construction hollow tile stucco,
cement block, and frame abovo tho
foundation and also on the foundation
alone uccording to plans and specifica
tions In tho office of County Superin
tendent Ebright. Sealed bids will be
received in the office of Supt. Ebright
or in the North Platto Post Oflko not
later than 6 p. m. Juno 15th.
Each contractor offering a bid must
nccompany tho bid by a certified check
for $60.00 payable to Scott Reynolds,
Treasurer. All checks will be returned
whan bids are rejected or contract
signed. Tho Board reserves the right to
reject any or nil bids.
School Board No. 137
Per W. P. Snyder, Director.
Any Mites in Your
Poultry
House?
Gq after them
right with
Conkey'a
Lice Liquid.
That will fix
them. It
drowns them
out in the
cracks, where they breed and thrive and
hide away through the day until the fowls ,
como back to roost nt night. Get into old
clothes nnd with n 6praycr or sprinkling
can full of Conkey'a Lice Liquid, go over
thp whole place and paint the roosts with
the same stuff. Try this. We guarantee
it effective. Conkey'a Lice Liquid 35c at:
COc 2 qts.; $1.00 a gallon.
Schiller 8c Co,, Agents.