Dry Forks Bridge, MT Train Carrying Dynamite Explodes, Apr 1898

BLOWN TO ATOMS.

A MONTANA TRAIN IS WRECKED BY DYNAMITE.

By Associated Press to The Tribune.
Great Falls, Mont., April 8 -- The worst wreck that ever happened in Montana happened on the Montana Central last night. The dead are:
L. OPPENHEIM, engineer.
CHARLES W. COCKRELL, fireman.
A. J. MARTIN, head brakeman.
West-bound freight No. 35 arrived at the Dry Forks bridge, sixty miles from here, at 6:30, and proceeded to cross. The train was composed of sixteen loads, one a car of dynamite, and five empties. When within twenty-five feet of the bridge, the dynamite exploded, wrecking the bridge and tearing ten cars to kindling wood. A hole was torn in the earth fifty by twenty-five feet and five feet deep. Telegraph poles and wires were blown out and communication from Great Falls shut off until to-day. The bodies of two of the trainmen were hurled from the wreck, which immediately caught fire and was consumed. It is supposed that the car containing the powder was derailed on the bridge, and the jolting caused it to explode.

Oakland Tribune California 1898-04-08
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!