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Show FATAL ACCIDENT. A Snow Plow on the U. & N. R. R. [Utah & Northern Railroad] Driven by Three Engines Lifts One Man Into Eternity and Seriously Injures His Companion. On Saturday afternoon last an accident of most appalling nature occurred on the line of the U. & N. R. R. [Utah & Northern Railroad] near Mendon in this county. From the testimony of witnesses on the coroner's inquest, and those best acquainted with the affair, we are enabled to gleam the following account. On the day previously mentioned and the night preceding, the section men in the vicinity named had been engaged in cleaning the track from snow a number of them working in the cuts between Mendon and Hampton station. The snow plow pushed by several engines had also made numerous trips. The storm, however, was so severe that the most strenuous efforts of the men and engines could not permanently clear the track, and work had to be continually prosecuted. During the afternoon two young men Joseph L. Baker and David Rowe, started back from the place where they had been working, near the summit, to Mendon for provisions. Some little time thereafter the snow plow, followed by three engines and a caboose, on the way from Deweyville to this city, passed the point where the main body of section men were at work. The track was covered and the cuts partially filled with snow; therefore a good speed was maintained from 15 to 17 miles an hour. During the ride down, Geo. [George] W. Thatcher, Superintendent and William Toombs, Bond Master, were standing at the rear end of the caboose inspecting the condition of the road. Just after passing through a deep cut and at a point two and a half miles beyond Mendon, they observed the bodies of two persons spinning around on the track. The train was stopped, and the men picked up. One of them, Joseph Baker, was found to be dead; and the other, David Rowe, in an unconscious condition. They were carried to Mendon; Doctor Ormsby was sent for; and he, accompanied by Doctor Benedict proceeded to the scene. Baker was found to have sustained such injuries of the head and body as must have made his death instantaneous. Rowe had suffered bruises of the body, two depressed fractures of the skull, and six scalp wounds from one to three inches in length. All that surgical skill could suggest was done for him, and so successfully that he will in all probability recover. The theory and facts with regard to the accident are that the young men had their heads closely wrapped to protect them from the storm; and nothing but the howling of the wind could be heard by them. About 400 yards back of the fatal spot a wagon road, which furnishes very good walking, crosses the track and leads directly into Mendon. A discussion took place between them as to whether they should take this road, according to their custom, or proceed along the railroad. Unfortunately they chose the latter. The train was proceeding almost noiselessly through the snow, although the bell on the engine was ringing; and flying snow prevented any sight of what was ahead. The snow plow moved along very close to the rails, and catching the men under the crust of snow on which they were walking, lifted and threw them clear from the track. After the engines had passed, the suction of the train or some other power must have drawn them in, because they received their injuries from the car steps stops?. They were evidently unconscious from the moment they were struck; as young Rowe can tell nothing with regard to the accident. No blame can be attached to the officers or employees of the road; and the only fault must rest upon the unfortunate men for their thoughtlessness in walking along the track, when they knew that engines were constantly passing back and forth. Superintendent Thatcher did all in his power to aid the stricken families, and seemed almost as much affected by the accident as the relatives themselves. The report of the inquest is as given below. Territory of Utah, Mendon Precinct, Cache County. An inquisition holden? [held] at Mendon city, Mendon precinct, Cache county, on the 11th and 12th days of Jan. [January], 1880, before a Justice of the Peace for Mendon precinct in said county, upon the body of Joseph Landen Baker, there lying dead by the jurors whose names are hereto subscribed. The said jurors upon their oaths do say that said Joseph Landen Baker came to his death by being thrown from the track of the Utah and Northern Railway by a special train of three engines with snow plow and caboose; and from evidence at said inquest, we find that no blame can be attached to any of the employees on the train; and after mature deliberation we give our verdict as accidental death. In testimony whereof the jurors have hereunto set their hands the day and year aforesaid. James G. Willis?, Chas. [Charles] Bird, Sen. [Senior], Edmund Paul, Jurors. John Donaldson, Justice of the Peace for Mendon precinct. |