Cherokee, KS Train Wreck and Bridge Collapse, Sept 1895

THE BRIDGE COLLAPSED.

Carrying With It Several Cars Filled with Passengers.

CHEROKEE, Kan., Sept. 9.---Further particulars of the wreck of the west bound passenger train on the Cherokee branch of the Memphis railroad have been obtained. Twenty persons were seriously hurt.

The wreck occurred at Lightning Creek, about a mile west of Monmouth, and was caused by the breaking of an axle on the rear coach. The breakdown occurred at a point 400 feet from the bridge. The car broke loose from the train after being dragged 200 feet and rolled over into the ditch, which was filled with backwater from the creek.

The accident caused the other cars to pitch and rock so badly that when the bridge was reached the baggage car struck the side timbers of the bridge and caused the whole structure to give way, thus precipitating all the other cars into the stream below, which is swollen from recent rains. The front coach followed the baggage car into the stream and rested partly upon the baggage car, which kept it from sinking into the water. The smoking car turned completely over and is now lying bottom up in the creek. The cars and bridge are completely wrecked.

The News, Frederick, MD 9 Sept 1895
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!