"Colorado Springs Gazette – August 9, 1904
A Wall of Water Seemed to Sweep the Three Fated Cars Away Into the Darkness – No Cries for Help Were Heard.
Pueblo, Colo., Aug. 8. – Fireman Mayfield arrived here dazed and almost insane because of the awful ordeal he passed through, yet each little incident is fixed so firmly in his mind that he will remember them until his dying day.
“It all happened so quickly – and, my God, it is so terrible,” he said. “A little while before we reached the bridge that crosses Dry creek I turned to Charley Hinman, the engineer, and said to him: 'Charley, is there enough steam to carry us to Pueblo?' Charley said 'No,' and I began firing up.
“Just as I was putting the second shovelful of coal in, the engine gave a lurch upward. I lost my balance and was thrown from the train on the bank of the creek. I must have struck partly on my head, as I was dazed and did not know what happened for several minutes. When I came to I saw the Pullman cars standing near me, but could not see the engine or the rest of the train. I went up and down the stream looking for my partner, Charley, the engineer.
“I didn't notice whether water was running in over the trestle as we approached the bridge, but when I was thrown out the water was much higher than the tracks.
“After a long time I met a body of men, who told me to go with them, but I wanted to go find Charley and didn't want to go with them. Then they said Charley was dead, and his body was found near Eden.
Going Along Carefully.
“We did not expect anything at all. We were going along at a good speed all the time, and never dreamed that anything was wrong. We thought that if there was any kind of a flood near Eden the operator there would know, and he would flag us. We passed there but saw no signals of any kind, and never felt any fear. I scarcely know how it happened, as I was dazed in the mud on the bank of the creek. I only know that there are dozens and dozens dead.”
R. Brunazzi, superintendent of the dining car service of the Denver & Rio Grande, one of the survivors had a narrow escape.
“I was sitting in the front end of the forward sleeper Wyuta,” he said, “near the door. The train had slowed up on account of the bad condition of the tracks, and I think we were going about 15 miles an hour, when all at once I felt a sudden jolt, then a terrific crash and our car turned almost on its front end. I rushed to the platform and saw before me nothing but a black, raging torrent with three coaches whirling down the stream. It was horrible. I have never experienced anything like the awful sensation that came over me when I saw the cars, packed with human beings, floating down that flood. The water was rushing against the banks with terrific velocity, and no human being, it seemed to me, could ever withstand that awful current.
“Strangely enough there was hardly any screaming. I listened to hear the cries, but it was all over in a moment and the coaches whirled away down the stream with loads of human beings. Apparently the people were swallowed up in the flood, the water surging into the coaches and drowning them instantly. There was not a sound. I heard no calls for help.”
A Wonderful Escape.
The most remarkable escape from death that the railroad officials have yet learned in connection with the wreck was that of J. M. Killin, a well-known hardware merchant of Pueblo, one of three occupants of the chair car, who came out of the wreck alive. Mr. Killin was badly cut about the head, hands and arms, but no bones were broken and he will be entirely recovered within a few days if not serious complications ensue. His escape was due entirely, he believes, to his ability as a swimmer, his great strength and his presence of mind, which led him to hold his breath while he was submerged with the other passengers in water.
“When the first crash came we were riding along as smoothly as one could go,” said Mr. Killin. “It was just as though the train had struck a stone wall. The lights went out, the fixtures and everything fell down, and the passengers were thrown forward and there were the most awful cries for help and the grinding of timbers. I saw the man next to me was down and I helped him up, but just then another crash came and the train seemed to sink about five feet. I lost sight of everybody and couldn't think of anything but to save myself. I remember well the sensations that I had at that time. I knew I was in terrible danger and my first thought was that I must get out of the car. At the second crash I was about up to my waist in waters. All the time the grinding and crushing of timbers was going on.
Went Over Three Times.
“In another crash I was thrown about a third of the length of the car right up against the front door. I grabbed the top of the door, and the car went over in the water three times. My first instance when the water went up over my head was to hold my breath. I think I was under water for a full minute. The car naturally righted and when it came up the water was just about my lips. I could breath all right and saw the transom was just above me. With my right hand I smashed out the glass, hoping that I could get out in that way. At that moment another crash came, and I was struck in the forehead by some floating object and dazed, but managed to keep my head above the water and after a terrific struggle reached the shore.
“The only man I could see in the coach as I left it was F. H. Messinger, a banker from Central City. He sat just behind me and once came to the end of the car, and it seemed that he would be saved, but before he could be saved he went down and was lost.
“As I approached the island I heard a faint cry of a woman for help. I answered, shouting, “I am coming,” but at that moment I heard a gurgling sound as if the poor unfortunate was lost and I heard the cries no more.”
Mr. Killin was taken to a hospital in Pueblo.
Story of E. E. Wilson.
One of the most miraculous, if not the most miraculous, escape of the wreck was that of E. E. Wilson and C. C. Nelson. Both men were sitting in the smoking compartment of the forward sleeper itself when it went partly over the brink and the compartment in which these men were was hanging dangerously over the precipice.
“The first we knew of the wreck,” said Mr. Wilson, in relating the thrilling experience of those few moments when life was hanging by a thread, “was the mighty rush of water. I stuck my head out of the window, but could see nothing on account of the blackness of the night. But I heard the awfullest, the most agonizing screams I ever heard in my life. It was for a moment only, and then again came the roar of the torrent. When we realized what had happened the handful of survivors set out to give what aid they could. There were sixteen of us, but we were helpless. There was nothing we could do. We lit red fire and lanterns along the banks, but we did not hear a single soul cry out for help. We could hear the banks caving in on all sides. The banks were full and the current was swift. The wall of water must have been about twenty feet high, and for two hours the creek was raging.
“The train was running slowly, not over twenty miles an hour, at the time of the wreck,” he continued. “We struck high water at Fountain, and had been running rather slowly since them. The dining car conductor made his regular rounds through the train before the wreck, and said that the smoker and chair car were crowded to their utmost.”
Mr. Wilson is a resident of Coffeyville, Kan., but is spending the summer with his family at 1120 North Weber street. He was bound for his home in the east for a short trip. Mr. Nelson is from Fort Worth, Tex., and was also bound for his home.
Final Toll:
Daniel Alley, Pueblo, Colorado
George A. Beck, 721 East Fourth Street, Pueblo, Colorado Mr. Beck is survived by his wife and little child. It is supposed that his sister-in-law Pearl Hopper perished in the wreck.
Miss Bennell, nurse, Pueblo, Colorado
Chester Bethel, Leavenworth, Kansas body not recovered
Miss Carrie Bishop, Hartford, Connecticut
Miss Etta E. Bishop, sister of John F. Bishop, Pueblo, Colorado Buried Roselawn
John F. Bishop, architect, Pueblo, Colorado Buried Roselawn
Frank E. Bodman, Northampton, Massachusetts (Pueblo, Colorado) brother of Mrs. E.L. Stevens.
Miss Bozeman, Pueblo, Colorado body not recovered
Turner Brachman, supposed to be from Denver, Colorado
? Brown, Hamilton, Ohio body not recovered
Miss Ada J. Campbell, Denver, Colorado
Don Campbell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger P. Campbell, 316 Broadway, Pueblo, Colorado, was with his father on the ill-fated train. He was about 17 years old and a student at Central High School. Buried Roselawn, buried 8-9-1904
Roger P. Campbell, Buried Roselawn, age 52, buried 8-9-1904
Dr. W.F. Cann, Pueblo, Colorado body not recovered
Mrs. Mary Cavanaugh, Neodesha, Kansas
Miss Chancellor, Pueblo, Colorado body not recovered
Edward Curtis, brick mason, Pueblo, Colorado
Miss Minelca Davis (Minnie Davis, Pueblo, Colorado)
A. Sam Dennis, Denver, Colorado
Miss Ada Derry, Pueblo, Colorado body not recovered
Malcolm S. Diggins, Pueblo, Colorado body not recovered
Miss Mary Donley, Galesburg, Illinois body not recovered
Margaret Donnelly, 19 years old, Des Moines, Iowa body not recovered
Mrs. Henry Donnelly, sister-in-law of J.L. Donnelly of Pueblo, Des Moines, Iowa body not recovered
Miss Carrie B. Downing, Pueblo, Colorado Buried Roselawn, age 28, buried 8-10-1904
Mrs. (Eliza) Alfred Downing Buried Roselawn, age 65, buried 8-10-1904
S.B. Durham, Pueblo, Colorado (newspaper lists V.B. Durham)
J.F. Dutton, Pittsfield, Illinois
John Eagan, Denver, Colorado body not recovered
Miss Elizabeth Ecklund, Denver, Colorado; A sheet of note paper containing the following sketches was found: "Miss Selma Elizabeth Eckland born in Salemburg, Kansas 31 December 1885. Took my first communion with the Swedish Congregation at Mission Church, South Fourteenth Street, Denver, Colorado on the 10th day of April 1904."
George Ellington, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Jacob M. Emrich, Pueblo, Colorado; came to Pueblo with his family from New York City about 10 years ago. Mr. Emrich was about 50 years old. His wife and three sons, the oldest of who is Morace, is a graduate of the State School of Mines at Golden, and for the past nine months has been a chemist at Eller's plant in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Buried Roselawn, age 52m buried 8-9-1904
George England, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Tony Fisher died Sept. 1, 1904 from injuries received from the Eden train wreck August 7, 1904. Buried Roselawn, age 29, male, director: McMahon and Collier, buried 9-2-1904
Mrs. Charles Foreman, Trinidad, Colorado body not recovered
J.H. Furrier, Pueblo, Colorado
J.T. Galbraith (newspaper shows J.G. Galbraith) He was about 33 years of age, a native of Indiana County, Pennsylvania. He has been a resident of Pueblo for several years. So far as can be learned, he has no relatives in this state.
Mrs. Kate C. Gartland, Denver, Colorado (newspaper shows Mrs. Edward P. Gartland, 2450 West 38th, Denver, Colorado) Mrs. Gartland perished along with four of her children: Edward, age 11 years; Walter age 9 years; Lillian age 6 years; and Ralph age 2 years. They were survived by husband, Ed Gartland and son Frank, who were not on the train.
Edward Gartland, Denver, Colorado (child)
Lillian Gartland, Denver, Colorado (child)
Ralph Gartland, Denver, Colorado (child)
Walter Gartland, Denver, Colorado (child) body not recovered.
George W. Geppert, St. Louis, Missouri
Mrs. Henry S. Gilbert, Okla. City, Oklahoma (newspaper shows from Pueblo)
Sophie Gilchrist, Pueblo, Colorado body not recovered
J.G. Graham, Florence, Colorado
Herbert R. Graves, plumber, Pueblo Colorado Herbert R. Graves was a native of Vermont and came to Colorado 12 years ago. He came to Pueblo 3 years ago. Mr. Graves had gone to Palmer Lake on Sunday to visit his wife, who was there for her health. Surviving are the widow and three sons aged 9, 16, and 18 years. The deceased was 43 years old, was a member of the Masonic Lodge and other organizations. Buried Roselawn, buried 8-9-1904
Jess Gray (Jesse E. Gray, Denver, Colorado) Jess E. Gray was identified by his brother Jack Gray and uncle U.G. Bowler. He had gone to Denver to spend the day with his father and 2 brothers.
C.T. Grimsley, Colorado Springs, Colorado body not recovered
Miss Frankie Hansen, Denver, Colorado body not recovered
Miss Ellen Hedenburg, Salina, Kansas (newspaper shows Hadenburg)
J.A. Hess (newspaper shows A.J. Hess, Clerk, Denver & Rio Grande)
Henry S. Hinman, 969 South eleventh street, Denver, Colorado (Engineer)
Alexander E. Hoes, Pueblo, Colorado
Pearl Hopper, sister-in-law to George Beck
Harry W. Hough, (head brakeman) Denver, Colorado
Jennie Huddleston, Buried Roselawn, age 30, buried 8-15-1904
William Huddleston
Edward Hughes, Pueblo, Colorado
William E. Hughes, Pueblo, Colorado - William E. Hughes was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1862. He arrived in Pueblo 17 years ago. Mr. Hughes is survived by his mother Mary E. Hughes and Aunt Laura M. Hughes. Buried Roselawn, age 34, buried 8-9-1904.
Miss Mabel Jenkins, Lawrence, Kansas
Dorothy Johnson, Pueblo, Colorado (child) daughter of Harry Johnson, age 8, body never found. Dorothy perished along with her Aunt, Miss Irene Wright.
Mrs. (Nannie) James Keating, 216 E. 4th, Pueblo, Colorado Buried Roselawn, age 19, buried 8-10-1904
James Paul Keating Jr (child) 2 years old, Pueblo, Colorado, Buried Roselawn, age 2, buried 8-16-1904
Mrs. Margaret Kelly (Miss Marguerite Kelley, 687 ½ S. Union, Pueblo, Colorado) Buried Roselawn, age 27, buried 8-12-1904
Miss Ida Krotter, Denver, Colorado (newspaper lists Miss Kratter, Pueblo, Colorado)
W.H. Lamon and wife, Pueblo, Colorado
B.T. Lashell, Denver, Colorado (newspaper lists Ben T. LaShell, Denver, Colorado)
Miss Ida Leonard, Pueblo, Colorado Buried Roselawn, age 22, buried 8-9-1904
Mrs. Robert Linfoot, Pueblo, Colorado
Alexander Maxwell, book-keeper for the Traction company. He was a cousin of B.F. Scribner of the Chieftain. His family resides in Kansas, body not recovered.
Mrs. James McClosky, Colorado Springs
Hugh McCracken, Aurora, Illinois (newspaper, from Pueblo, Colorado)
Miss Stella McDonald, teacher Central High School, Pueblo Colorado; Miss McDonald resided with her widowed mother, Mrs. Emma McDonald, and sister Alice. Her brother is James McDonald. Buried Roselawn, age 24, buried 8-10-1904
Dr. James B. McGreagor, Ballard, Washington; Dr. McGregor arrived in Pueblo just 5 weeks ago from Ballard, Washington. He visited his sisters, Mrs. Jean McGregor Rettbirg and Mrs. M. Pannabaker. Three years ago he graduated from Hahnemann Medical School at Philadelphia."
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