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Subject: 1896 Train Wreck - Coroners' Inquest
Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2002 18:07:50 EDT

Harrison County News
Logan, IA
July 17 1896

THE CORONERS’ INQUEST

Now being held at Logan ostensibly to ascertain the causes of that wreck
seems really to be designed to give a per diem to the coroner, as only three
or four witnesses are examined in a two days session. The first witness
examined was the station agent, SCHAFFER, at Logan who testified in part as
follows:

"The excursion train pulled out at 1:42, the conductor, REID, received an
order delivered by me for him to run special from Logan to Council Bluffs. I
have no copy of the order, as the train agent took it. The order would imply
to a crew to look out for all regular trains. Then No. 2 is due at 6:44 and
No. 38 at 6:44. It was the conductor’s duty to remain here until after No.
38 had gone. I saw the conductor and engineer at various times during the
day in the yard. I did not see anything which would indicate that either of
them had been drinking. I don’t know that either of them drinks and
understand that they do not. When I received the order for REED I went up to
him, handed it to him in duplicate and said ‘That don’t help you out much on
38 does it?’ and REED answered ’No’. It was about 6:35 when I received the
order and when I gave it to REED the engineer, MONTGOMERY was oiling his
engine."

Dr. KNOWLES testified to dressing Engineer MONTGOMERY’s hand. During the
operation the sad man kept moaning and groaning and exclaiming that he was to
blame as he had forgotten No. 38.

The feeling is growing that the trainmen have suffered enough and nothing
more should be done as to them.

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