Van Horn, IA Train Wreck, Feb 1909 - Engineer Killed

ENGINEER KILLED IN RAIL WRECK.

LIMITED C. M. & ST. PAUL PASSENGER DERAILED THIS MORNING.

C. H. BROWN, ONE OF THE OLDEST ENGINEERS, LOSES HIS LIFE.

Des Moines, Feb. 26. -- The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul train, the Overland Limited, going west, went into a ditch at Van Horn, Iowa at 1 o'clock this morning.
C. H. BROWN, one of the oldest engineers on the road was killed. The train was running at high speed when the engine left the track and turned a somersault. The baggage and mail cars are piled on top of each other. The other cars turned over on their sides. The accident is believed to have been due to a broken flange.
With the exception of slight scratches none of the passengers were injured.

Wreck Most Peculiar.
Van Horn, Feb. 26. -- (Iowa Evening Press) -- Engineer CHAS. BROWN of Perry was killed and several persons slightly injured in a peculiar wreck here this morning. A Milwaukee passenger, No. 1, west bound, was coming into the yard here late and running fast, when a rod on the side the engineer was on, fell down, striking in the point of a switch, derailing the engine. The fireman escaped serious injury. The engine turned around with the pilot facing east and was thrown upon the side in such a manner that one wheel extended so close to the line rail that it tore out every window in the forward coach. When the train was stopped the engine was lying midway between the baggage car and the rear coach. The track was torn up and the rails thrown in every direction. One rail penetrated the boiler of the engine and another was thrown a distance of 150 feet.

Waterloo Daily Courier Iowa 1909-02-26
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!