Rhodes, IA Train Wreck, Aug 1902 - More Victims

More Wreck Victims Succumb to Their Injuries

Fireman Thorpe Expires at Mercy Hospital, Des Moines-- Other Deaths Are Expected

PITABLE SIGHT AT UNDERTAKING PARLOR

Mangled Bodies of Eleven Dead Victims of Wednesday's Awful Wreck Were Viewed By Hundreds of Perry People Yesterday--Annourcement [sic] of Funerals of the Victims of the Terrible Accident.

It has been a long time since such a sight has been witnessed in Iowa as on Thursday morning when a special train in charge of Conductor Ed Torrence pulled up at the Milwaukee depot and unloaded eleven dead men. Two of them old and respected citizens of Perry, the rest unknown. All of the bodies were at once taken to the undertaking rooms of Phillips & Co., dressed and prepared for burial. Hundreds of people visited the rooms and viewed the awful sight. The body of Engineer S.D. MARCKRES was literally cooked by the escaping steam, besides bearing many ugly marks. It was found impossible to prepare the body in a presentable shape, and as soon as it was dressed was placed in a magnificent casket and sealed from view.
Engineer FRED BRAMAN undoubtedly had his neck broken when he jumped, and outside of a few bruises is in fair condition. The bodies of the nine "UNKNOWNS" were all dressed and placed in caskets during the day. Unless some one claims the bodies they will all be buried Friday afternoon in the Potters field at the city cemetery. A short service will be held at the cemetery, but by whom and at what hour has not yet been determined. The good ladies of the city have prepared a bouquet of flowers for each of the dead. and will contribute in other ways that these dead strangers may have proper burial.

The death list now numbers thirteen. CASEY died on the train and THORPE died at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines Thursday afternoon. Two more men at the hospital cannot live.

Dr Trout, who was the only company surgeon on the ground, was worked almost to exhaustion. He had charge of all the injured ones that were taken to the hospital in Des Moines. The sight of the wounded unfortunates was a pitiable one, and Dr. Trout says he hopes he will never be called upon to attempt another such scene.

Cause of the Accident

No. 92 had orders to look out for the work train, and these orders were being obeyed, as the undisputed testimony was that the train was running very slow. It was certainly not running over ten miles and hour. The work train has been running on orders, but has been protecting itself with flags. It wound run from Rhodes and back leaving the men out there at their work of putting gravel under the ties. The work train was running at a good speed. Farmers who saw it just before it struck said it was running very fast. If the work train was running without orders or flag at that speed the fault would seem to be with them, but no one knows this to be the case.

A statement purporting to be official was printed by the Register and Leader putting the blame on the engineer and conductor of the work train, saying that they had left Rhodes knowing the the way freight had left Collins. The whole statement sounds unreasonable from every standpoint, and we do not credit as published.

No. 92 Promptly Flagged.

As soon as brakeman Searls and Reel could pick themselves up they ran back to flag and train that might be following. They were met about half way to Collins by the relief train From Collins. Conductor Newell had in charge a little girl on the way car, the daughter of one of the men on the work train. She began to cry, and reluctant at leaving her alone, led her by the hand to the front end. There she met her father who was not hurt. As she ran to his arms crying as though her little heart would break, while the cries and moans of the injured were coming from the mass of debris, the scene was more than the bravest could stand -- and men were seen crying like children.

Seemed Like a Year

As the maimed and crippled ones who were able to extricate themselves came out with arms or legs broken, or other terrible injuries, some of them crawling to the top of the high bank to lie in the grass, it seemed like an age before relief came, while in fact help was hurried to them in all possible haste. As many as sixteen doctors were there. The work of the men and women of the commun - (missing)

Collins until he could get there and empanel [sic] a jury to review the remains. T. R. Phillips' undertaker and engineers Will Johnson and J. J. Brown and Captain Haskins took charge of the bodies and arrived at Perry with them at about eight o'clock.

The time keeper was the only man who knew all the men. He had his collar bone fractured and was injured on the head so that he did not talk perfectly sane. He was unable to get around much and did not see many of the men who died, and he never will -- as he is at Collins and the bodies were all brought to Perry. Those who were identified there were some what in doubt, and even their identity was lost by bringing them here. Foreman Flanningan also knew most of the men by name, but he was also laid up and did not see the men who died. A thorough canvas of the men revealed the fact that no one knew the names of the ones who died on the car. Of course after all the saved are known -- the time keeper's record will show the names of the dead, but no one will then be able to specify the grave of any certain one.

It was a grusome [sic] sight as they were unloaded from the train and the eleven bodies laid in a row at the undertaking parlor. CASEY, one of the laborers who was severely injured in the lungs, died on the car on the road between Madrid and Des Moines.

Was a Bad Place

The place where the engines struck was one of the worst on the entire system. It is in a very deep cut and on a sharp curve. The engine men on the outside could not have seen the danger until they struck. The men on the inside could only see it in time to jump without a second's loss of time. The track was hardly injured at all by the wreck. An engine coupled on a box cad that was in the work train, and dragged it along on the rail and ground for a quarter of a mile out of the cut. The track was not cleared of the wreckage until after seventeen hours of hard work, a noticeable feature was that very [sic] particle of wreckage fell on the inside of the curve.

Relief Train Delayed.

A freight train was just ready to start east from Perry when the news came of the accident. They coupled on a tool car, and taking Dr. Trout from Perry and Dr. Brown from Madrid, started out. It was stated that they broke in two three times, and the second relief train that left Perry two hours later, passed them at Elwell -- taking the doctors and tool car on to the wreck.

Engineer MARCKRES.

SAMUEL D. MARCKRES was born in Nashua N.H. June 25, 1843. he enlisted April 12, 1861. In company K 1st regiment New Hampshire volunteers, on the call for three months' srvice [sic]. After serving that time he reenlisted August 38, 1861, in company H 4th regiment New Hampshire volunteers. He served three years and re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company and regiment February. 28. 1864. He was mustered out August 23, 1865. At Raliegh [sic]; N.C. and returned to New Hampshire.

In October. 2865. He came to Chicago and engaged with the C. & N. W. railway company as a fireman, continuing that capacity until July, 1971, when he was promoted to engineer. His frst [sic] work as engineer was in the Chicago yards. After six months he took a freight run between Chicago, Janesville and Milwaukee, and afterwards worked on the Air Line between Milwaukee and Fond du Lac. He was in the employ of the Northwestern company sixteen years. In 1882 he entered the service of the C. M. & St. P. railway company as engineer on a contraction train between Chicago and Council Bluffs, and upon the completion of the division he was placed in the freight service, where he has since worked continnously [sic].

Mr MARCKRES was married to Miss Lucy Weber at Milwaukee, January 6, 1973. They have two sons, Charlie and Harry. Deceased has two brothers in Vermont (one an invalid) and a sister in Massachusetts. hw was a member of the Christian church of Perry. He also belonged to the G. A. R. post and to the Masonic and Elk lodges.

In his capacity as an engineer the deceased was a most faithful and competent man; as a citizen he was progressive and had the respect if everyone who enjoyed his acquaintance. His tragic death is deeply mourned by the community and the sympathy of all goes out in unstinted measure to his breaved wife and sons.

The funeral will be held from the house on Sixth street at 2:30 o'clock Friday, and will be conducted be Rev. J.E. Groendyke. Otley lodge No. 299 A. F. & A .M., assisted by the G. A. R. post, will have charge of the services at the cemetery.

ENGINEER BRAMAN

FRED M. BRAMAN was born at Cortlan, N. Y. December 28, 1858. He was married at Moberly, Mo. December 28, 1879. to Miss Sophia Carsten of Dalton, Mo. Four children were born to bless this union -- Fred H. at Moberly, now firing for engineer Fred Selee on the Milwaukee; WILLIE J. at Council Bluffs, born April 24, 1883 and died October 27, 1883; GEORGE F. at Council Bluffs, born May 25, 1887, and died May 26, 1887, Charles F. at Perry, who with his mother were visiting in Dalton, Mo., when notified of the terrible accident.

Deceased located at Council Bluffs in 1881 and for three years was employed in the Milwaukee round house. He afterwards started to firing and was on the road fourteen years. In 1888 and own a fine home on Sixth street. Deceased was a member of the Baptist church in this city and on last Sunday attended the egular [sic] services. He belonged to the A. O. J. W. lodge and also to the B. of L. E. and K. and L. of S. He carried considerable life insurance. Two brothers and a sister reside in New York state.

He was one of those genial, whole souled men who easily won and retained the friendship and good will of everybody about him. He lived an exemplary life and in his death the Milwaukee has lost a trusted employe [sic] and the community a good citizen.

The bereaved wife and children of the deceased, who has been thus cruelly taken away, have the universal sympathy of their friends and acquaintances in this city.

The funeral will be held from the house this afternoon at 4:30 o'clock. Rev. W. H. Bird will conduct the services and interment is to be made in the city cemetery.

The Perry Daily Chief, Perry, IA 8 Aug 1902