Austin, MT Train Wreck, Feb 1906

FIVE KILLED IN AWFUL WRECK

Runaway Freight Crashes Into Passenger Train Near Helena, Montana.

Every Coach in Passenger Train Burned and Express Messenger Burned Alive While Rescuers Were Trying to Pull Him Out of the Wreck.

Helena, Mont. --- A runaway freight train on the Northern Pacific crashed into a passenger train Monday about two and a half miles from here resulting in the death of three passengers whose names are known and of two others who were burned in the wreck and whose names have not yet been learned. The known dead: J. S. ROBINSON of Missoula; CHARLES BRICKLE conductor on passenger; S. J. JESSUP express messenger.

EDWARD BROWN of this city brakeman was so seriously injured it is thought he will die. Other passengers were slightly injured.

Every coach in the passenger train was burned and the freight train which was made up of cars loaded with lumber was also burned.

The passenger train preceded the freight out of Austin about eight miles west of Helena. At Austin the engine was detached from the freight. There is a heavy grade from Austin to Helena and the freight got loose. The passenger train was waiting at a crossing when the freight came thundering down. Before it could get out of the way the freight crashed into it throwing all the passenger cars into the ditch.

The passenger engine became uncoupled and kept on the track ahead of the freight. After the freight had got a quarter of a mile beyond the passenger wreck it went into the ditch and caught fire. A carload of shingles was dumped on the passenger train wreck, and made a terrific fire.

MESSENGER JESSUP was burned alive while four people were trying to pull him out of the wreck. He was caught under wreckage and could not be saved.

Eureka Reporter Utah 1906-02-09
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!