Brookfield, MO Train Accident, Feb 1884

TERRIBLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Brookfield, Mo., Feb. 26. -- While running at a high rate of speed a west-bound passenger train on the Hannibal & St. Joseph railroad was thrown from the track by a broken rail and went through the bridge over Chariton river, near this city. The mail, baggage, smoking and express cars, two coaches, two Pullman sleepers, and the fine private car of President PERKINS, of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rolled down the embankment two of them going into the river. The mail, baggage, and smoking cars were demolished, and all are so badly damaged that the loss will foot up $50,000. WILLIE BALDWIN, the 5-year-old son of J. E. D. BALDWIN, of Los Angeles, Cal., was taken out of the smoking car dead and many passengers narrowly escaped with their lives. Two coaches caught fire, but the flames were extinguished by the heroic efforts of Conductor CALDWELL and M. TEMBROOK, of Carroll county. Many passengers were chopped out of the cars with axes, etc. The news of the accident was at once telegraphed to Hannibal, and Superintendent DUNN, General Passenger Agent HOOPER, General Freight Agent McDOEL and Treasurer HILTON left for the scene of the wreck on a special train with surgeons, nurses, etc., for the wounded, who were promptly removed to Brookfield and taken care of. The names of the wounded are:
JACOB RASER, Chicago, Ills., cut and bruised.
MR. and MRS. J. E. D. BALDWIN, Los Angeles, Cal., and their daughter PEARL, all seriously injured.
H. F. WHITEFORD, St. Joseph, cut on forehead, shoulder broken, and limbs bruised.
A. M. BROWN, Quincy, head and back hurt.
J. M. RAPP, Lemoine, Ills., head injured.
R. A. YEARLING, Kansas City, wounded on side and shoulders.
G. W. KNUR, Ottabee, Ind., head cut.
C. A. ATKINSON, Kansas City, newsboy.
AUGUST WRINKLER, New York.
A. MOON, Yates City, Ills.
GUS JOHNSON, Galesburg.
O. JOINER, Shelbyville.
W. J. CLARK, Oneida, Ills.
BENJAMIN S. PATTERSON, Galesburg, Ills.
JOSEPH MEILHOT and MRS. MEILHOT, Canada.
THOMAS BOWERS, wife and child.
PHOEBE FOWLER, Hutchinson, Kan.
HENRY REAL, Wheeling.
Mail Agent W. H. HOWELL.
J. A. MILLER, Fort Scott, Kan.
NELSON ZIMMERMAN.
MRS. HENRY BEAVARD, London Mills, Ills.
THOMAS ANDERSON, wife and daughter.
MRS. DAVID ANDERSON and three children.
Express Agent W. W. DICKSON.
G. A. WESTFALL.
H. W. HALSAY.
All are more or less injured. A large force of men is at work clearing away the wreck, and officials think trains will be running across the river on a temporary bridge.

The Evening Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa 1884-02-26
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!