KC RR Accidents A-F
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE AND ST. PAUL RAILROAD
ACCIDENT
RECORD, 1907-1909
Kittitas County
A through F
WARNING: SOME OF THESE REPORTS ARE GRAPHIC.
CLICK ON SURNAME OR SCROLL DOWN PAGE TO BE TAKEN TO ACCIDENT TRANSCRIPT.
AHO
ALADAHO
ANDERSON, Chris
ANDERSON, Ed
ANDERSON, L.
ARRATA
ASPLUND
BEHRENDS
BENCE
BENNETT
BEZZIO
BODI
BOOKER / BROOKER
BURKE
CARLSON, Anton
CARLSON, C.
CARLSON, Wm.
CASTLE
CEMOLINO
CLINE
DAHLIN
DEYMOVICH
DIMITRI, Chris
DIMITRI, Gus
DOOLVICH, Dan
DRASTON, John
DRINON / DEMON
ERICKSON
ERICSON
EZZIO
FRANK
AHO, Solomon
11 July 1907; at Tunnel, Sta 529 to 534.
Occupation, laborer; Residence, unknown.
Died. Dr. D. O. KEARBY, Cle Elum; doctor called by P. HENSON, foreman.
Three killed outright (OLESON, AHO, ALADAHO), 2 died at Hospital Cle Elum (MOSSOUVICH,
DOOLVICH). The rest flesh wounds and badly bruised. Accident was caused by men picking into
shot that failed to go off. Men claim no defection of fire or explosives. (Transcribers
Note - Also in accident: C. OLESON, William ALADAHO, Dan MOSSOUVICH, Dan DOOLVICH, L. ANDERSON,
D. DEYMOVICH, S. HAHN.)
Witnesses: Gus KULLEN, Louis SMITH, W. DOYLE, S. LUNDQUIST, Alex LIND, Den DIGMONTY,
Alvon GINETTI, Peter VARSPIONO, Frank DEYMOVICH, all laborers.
Reported by H. A. AYERS, Res. Engr., Res. #3.
ALADAHO, William
11 July 1907; at Tunnel, Sta 529 to 534.
Occupation, laborer; Residence, unknown.
Died. Dr. D. O. KEARBY, Cle Elum; doctor called by P. HENSON, foreman.
Three killed outright (OLESON, AHO, ALADAHO), 2 died at Hospital Cle Elum (MOSSOUVICH,
DOOLVICH). The rest flesh wounds and badly bruised. Accident was caused by men picking into
shot that failed to go off. Men claim no defection of fire or explosives. (Transcribers
Note - Also in accident: C. OLESON, Solomon AHO, Dan MOSSOUVICH, Dan DOOLVICH, L. ANDERSON,
D. DEYMOVICH, S. HAHN.)
Witnesses: Gus KULLEN, Louis SMITH, W. DOYLE, S. LUNDQUIST, Alex LIND, Den DIGMONTY,
Alvon GINETTI, Peter VARSPIONO, Frank DEYMOVICH, all laborers.
Reported by H. A. AYERS, Res. Engr., Res. #3.
ANDERSON, Chris
30 March 1908, 10:00 a.m.; at Sta. 543, Camp #5.
Single; age 30.
Injury; badly cut about face and hands, also his right leg broken below the knee. Injured
placed in charge of D. O. KEARBY, Cle Elum.
Chris ANDERSON and Albert MAGNUSSEN were loading a hole. After putting in 1 1/2 boxes of
#2 Grant, the hold became choked. They first opened hole with a iron rod, then used a wooden
tamping stick to make sure hole was open. Placed a drill in. When this had been lowered 6 ft.
explosion occurred.
Witnesses: Matt JOHNSON, Easton; Geo. STENSON, Easton.
ANDERSON, Ed
25 Sept 1908, 4 p.m.; at Sta 354, Resy No. 2, Main Line.
Woodsman employed by J. S. JOHNSON, forest reserve clearing; single; age 20 years.
Injury, leg broken. Dr. J. S. JUDAH. Taken to Co. Hospital at Lake Keechelus.
Whilst skidding logs, skid slipped, rolling log on his leg, breaking latter.
Witnesses: Al WILLIAMS, Easton; E. WALBECK, Easton; Al JOHNSON, Easton.
ANDERSON, L.
11 July 1907; at Tunnel, Sta 529 to 534.
Occupation, laborer; Residence, unknown.
Injury; wounds and bruises. Dr. D. O. KEARBY, Cle Elum; doctor called by P. HENSON, foreman.
Three killed outright (OLESON, AHO, ALADAHO), 2 died at Hospital Cle Elum (MOSSOUVICH,
DOOLVICH). The rest flesh wounds and badly bruised. Accident was caused by men picking into
shot that failed to go off. Men claim no defection of fire or explosives. (Transcribers
Note - Also in accident: C. OLESON, William ALADAHO, Dan MOSSOUVICH, Dan DOOLVICH, Solomon AHO,
D. DEYMOVICH, S. HAHN.)
Witnesses: Gus KULLEN, Louis SMITH, W. DOYLE, S. LUNDQUIST, Alex LIND, Den DIGMONTY,
Alvon GINETTI, Peter VARSPIONO, Frank DEYMOVICH, all laborers.
Reported by H. A. AYERS, Res. Engr., Res. #3.
ARRATA, Caesar
12 January 1908, 9:00 a.m.; at Sta. #2018.
Mucker, J. A. SANDELL's camp; Residence, Milano, Italy; married; age 51 years.
Died, killed instantly. Corpse placed in morgue at Ellensburg.
ARRATA was excavating coyote hole in perpendicular wall about fourteen feet in height.
Parallel wall about 6 feet away. A slide started at Sta. 2018+20 and ARRATA was warned by
J. A. SANDELL. ARRATA put his hands over his head and ran under slide. Body was removed
in about 10 minutes.
Witnesses: J. A. SANDELL, contractor, Thorp; John RIGI, mucker.
ASPLUND, Gus
8 April 1908, 3:00 p.m.; at Easton, Sta. 849+50.
Occupation driller; residence, unknown; married; age about 35 years.
Injury; Index finger of right hand cut off above second joint, badly bruised otherwise.
Dr. KEARBY, Cle Elum.
ASPLUND was block holeing a rock of about 1 1/2 yards, laying on top of the trap tunnel
between two trap holes about 10 ft. apart. Foreman Anton PETERSON was working alongside
opening up one of the trap holes which had been clogged with rocks, with a bar, when the rock
jam gave suddenly and went thru hole, and material on which ASPLUND was standing also slid
downward. ASPLUND went with it thru the hole about 2 1/2 ft. diameter.
Witnesses: A. PETERSON, foreman, Easton; Jno. MATHISON, laborer, Easton.
BEHRENDS, Henry
5 July 1908, 2:30 p.m.; at Portal Creek, Sta 192-196, HiLine West.
Occupation, driller; age 52 years.
Injury; right foot badly cut and whole left side badly bruised. Dr. RICHARDSON, North Bend.
Taken to RICHARDSON's hospital at North Bend.
Was seated on rock, close to creek, holding drill and the noise of falling water prevented
him from hearing warning cry of "Fire" given by Foreman. Hammersman was facing foreman and
saw latter run away, and dropping hammer, walked away without telling BEHRENDS. BEHRENDS,
thinking hammerman went to get drink, stayed and was cleaning drill hole when shot went off.
Witnesses: Herman JOHNSON, North Bend, Wa.; Mike BODOBICH, North Bend, Wa.
BENCE, John
5 July 1907, 4:00 p.m.; at Station 584.
Occupation, teamster; residence, Ellensburg.
Injury; broken leg. Doctor attending unknown; doctor called by his people at home.
He was trying to get line out from under one of his horses. At the same time supporting
a timber. The timber rolled onto him.
Witnesses: Frank CARY, No. Yakima; Jesse EVANS, unknown; W. L. LINK, No. Yakima.
Report by H. A. AYERS, Res. Engr., Res. #3, Easton.
BENNETT, John
12 Dec 1908, 9:30 a.m.; at Murdock.
Employee of company; single, 28 years old.
Injury; bruise. no doctor called; kept in camp at Murdock.
While handling keg of spikes on icy plank, keg slipped from plank and struck BENNETT on
foot, bruising same.
Witnesses: H. MURDOCK; W. F. McDOWELL; Jas. BELL; all of Murdock.
BEZZIO, B. (Transcriber's note: Same day and time has another report under B. EZZIO)
23 Oct 1908, 4:00 p.m.; at Rockdale, work train.
Laborer on track laying gang; employee of H. C. HENRY; single; age 24.
Injury; right hand bruised. Taken to Dr. MOORE's hospital near Lake Keechelus.
BEZZIO was working beside train on bridge. He placed his hand between two cars chained
together and the slack run up and caught his hand. Draft iron out of St P 12918 and chained
to StP 47785. Train moved slowly when accident occurred.
Witnesses: August CONLOMBLE, laborer with H. C. HENRY outfit.
Report by W. S. JOHNSON, Condr.
BODI, Geo.
7 Jan 1908, 10:00 A.M.; at Sta. 544, Camp #5.
Occupation, laborer; residence, unknown; single; age 40.
Injury; bruised on left leg. Dr. D. O. KEARBY; doctor called by E. G. NELSON.
A piece of clay fell from edge of cut.
Witnesses: Olaf LINDGREN, Easton, E. G. NELSON, Easton.
Report by H. A. AYERS, Res. Engr., Easton.
BOOKER, John (Transciber's note - could be BROOKER, John, letter 'r' was inserted later.)
8 Dec 1908, 5:30 p.m.; at Boylston.
Employee of company; single; 60 years of age.
Injury; fell unconscious while walking to boarding cars. Dr. W. A. TAYLOR.
Witnesses: None.
BURKE, Lewis
2 July 1907; at Sta. 514, West Tunnel Approach.
Occupation, laborer; residence, unknown; marital status, unknown.
Injury; several ribs broken and bruises around head. Dr. D. O. KEARBY, Cle Elum; doctor
called by Geo. MITCHELL.
He fell off of a temporary trestle sideways. Track was not in the best of shape, though
it had been in constant use before accident.
Witnesses: Geo. MITCHELL, Easton; O. MOODMAN, Easton.
CARLSON, Anton
3 Feb 1908, 2:30 p.m.; at J. & L. Camp #4, Res. #12 (cut 1 B, sec 82).
Occupation, laborer; residence, camp #4; married; age 45.
Injury; ankle bone left leg broken, two ribs fractured, back sprained. Dr. BALDWIN, Col.
River. Brg.; doctor called by E. G. ANDERSON, foreman, camp #4.
Two holes were loaded, one containing 70 kegs and one 50 kegs of Black powder. Both shots
were supposedly fired at the same time about two weeks ago, but only one went off, leaving
the hole containing 50 kegs still there. Two men started to drill this shot out. The point
of the drill hit the powder which exploded. Gust ERICKSON was killed; Samuel DAHLIN and
John DRASTON were also injured.
Witness: Russel J. LATSHAW, chainman, res. #12.
Report by F. J. FARVER, #12, J Cr Line.
CARLSON, C.
25 Sept 1907 about 9:00 p.m.; at Sta. 179+10 to 189+10.
Occupation, coyote hole driller, O E OLSON & Co.; Residence, unknown; marital status,
unknown; age, unknown.
Death by suffocation. Dr. W. D. WILSON, Lake Camp Hospital.
CARLSON went up to the coyote hole early in the evening to fire off blasts. Not returning,
Frank ANDERSON, partner of CARLSON, went up in search of CARLSON and found him partly out of
the hold and dead at this time. It is supposed CARLSON put off shots and then went into the
hole, not allowing proper time for escape of gas and was overcome.
Witnesses: None.
CARLSON, Wm.
14 Sept 1908, 8:30 a.m.; at Sta. 4691, Johnson Cr. Line, Ashby Sta.
Occupation, contr foreman; employee of JACOBSON & LINDSTROM, subcontractors; residence,
Storfors, Vemsland, Sweden; single; aged about 34.
Died; both legs broken, head and body badly cut, died about 5 min after reaching hospital.
Dr. T. C. BALDWIN. CARLSON was taken to hospital at Columbia River, West Beverly, Wa.
Cause not known. Happened while tamping black powder into about 6' deep hole. Other men
except man killed were facing cut and did not see men loading. (Transcriber's note: See also
entries for Morj SORUKOVICH and Mike JOVNICH in same accident.)
Witnesses: Joseph POURPONT, Wadisa, Kisteland, Austria; Mila STA. SONLAVICH, Ziminia Leka,
Austria; Glesa STA. SONLAVICH, Ziminia Leka, Austria; Joe STA. SONLAVICH, Ziminia Leka, Austria.
CASTLE, Bert
27 July 1907, 9:30 a.m.; at Sta. 2745, Thorp, Wa.
Occupation, woodcutter; residence, unknown; marital status, unknown.
Injury; severed thumb. Surgeon attending unknown.
Thumb was cut while splitting wood for Pile Driver Engine.
Witnesses: None.
Report by C. J. BARTHOLET, Res. Engr. Res. *8, Thorp.
CEMOLINO, P.
4 Jan 1908, 4:00 p.m.; at Easton, Sta 914+50.
Residence, unknown; laborer; age 35.
Injury; cut and bruised about the head, not seriously. Dr. KEARBY, Cle Elum.
CEMOLINO was working in the deep rock cut at Sta. 914+50. He had just pushed a car to
the working face of the rock and was standing beside it when a rock of between 3-4 cu. ft.
loosened in the slope 15 ft. above and fell down on him. The foreman, Mr. SCHELL, saw it
coming and hollered at him and he looked up and attempted to duck under the car, but the rock
struck him.
Witnesses: G. M. SCHELL, foreman, Easton; J. THOMPSON, powderman, Easton.
CLINE, Clarence
23 Feb 1908, 11:30 a.m.; at Easton, Wa, res. #4.
Occupation, acting foreman; residence, Easton; marital status, unknown; age about 25.
Injury; no bones broken, back at work again on Mar 2nd. Dr. KEARBY, Cle Elum. Injured
placed in Cle Elum Hospital; doctor called by C. J. JOHNSON.
CLINE was working on dirt slope Cut 840 to 844, when a small rock rolled down from above
about 40 feet above and struck him in the back. Rock rolled down of its own accord.
Witnesses: none.
Report by W. P. HAYFORD, Rodman, Res. #4, Easton.
DAHLIN, Samuel
3 Feb 1908, 2:30 p.m.; at J. & L. Camp #4, Res. #12 (cut 1 B, sec 82).
Occupation, laborer; residence, camp #4; married; age 41.
Injury; left eye badly bruised, left ankle sprained and dislocated. Dr. BALDWIN, Col. River
Brg.; doctor called by E. G. ANDERSON, foreman, camp #4.
Two holes were loaded, one containing 70 kegs and one 50 kegs of Black powder. Both shots
were supposedly fired at the same time about two weeks ago, but only one went off, leaving
the hole containing 50 kegs still there. Two men started to drill this shot out. The point
of the drill hit the powder which exploded. Gust ERICKSON was killed; John DRASTON and
Antone CARLSON were also injured.
Witness: Russel J. LATSHAW, chainman, res. #12.
Report by F. J. FARVER, Res. #12, J Cr Line.
DEYMOVICH, D.
11 July 1907; at Tunnel, Sta 529 to 534.
Occupation, laborer; residence, unknown.
Injured; wounds and bruises. Dr. D. O. KEARBY, Cle Elum; doctor called by P. HENSON, foreman.
Three killed outright (OLESON, AHO, ALADAHO), 2 died at Hospital Cle Elum (MOSSOUVICH,
DOOLVICH). The rest flesh wounds and badly bruised. Accident was caused by men picking into
shot that failed to go off. Men claim no defection of fire or explosives. (Transcribers
Note - Also in accident: C. OLESON, William ALADAHO, Dan MOSSOUVICH, Dan DOOLVICH, L. ANDERSON,
Solomon AHO, S. HAHN.)
Witnesses: Gus KULLEN, Louis SMITH, W. DOYLE, S. LUNDQUIST, Alex LIND, Den DIGMONTY,
Alvon GINETTI, Peter VARSPIONO, Frank DEYMOVICH, all laborers.
Reported by H. A. AYERS, Res. Engr., Res. #3.
DIMITRI, Chris
4 Nov 1907, 4:00 p.m.; at Station 3500, Sec 67, Res. #10.
Occupation, laborer; residence, unknown; married; age 29.
Injury; burned on face and hands. Dr. H. W. FELCH, Ellensburg. Later sent to Hospital,
Cle Elum.
Burned by explosion of two kegs of black powder, which was exploded by premature
of hole, said powder was standing on surface near hole.
Witnesses: Tony FRANK and Gus DIMITRI.
Report by F. M. CARTER, Res. Engr., Res. #10.
DIMITRI, Gus
4 Nov 1907, 4:00 p.m.; at Station 3500 Res. #10.
Occupation, foreman; residence, unknown; married; age 34.
Injury; burned on face, arms and hands. Dr. H. W. FELCH, Ellensburg. Later sent to Hospital,
Cle Elum.
Gus was standing near hole being loaded by Tony FRANK and was burned by explosion of powder
on surface.
Witnesses: Tony FRANK and Chris DIMITRI.
Report by F. M. CARTER, Res. Engr., Res. #10.
DOOLVICH, Dan
11 July 1907; at Tunnel, Sta 529 to 534.
Occupation, laborer; residence, unknown.
Died. Dr. D. O. KEARBY, Cle Elum; doctor called by P. HENSON, foreman.
Three killed outright (OLESON, AHO, ALADAHO), 2 died at Hospital Cle Elum (MOSSOUVICH,
DOOLVICH). The rest flesh wounds and badly bruised. Accident was caused by men picking into
shot that failed to go off. Men claim no defection of fire or explosives. (Transcribers
Note - Also in accident: C. OLESON, William ALADAHO, Dan MOSSOUVICH, D. DEYMOVICH, L. ANDERSON,
Solomon AHO, S. HAHN.)
Witnesses: Gus KULLEN, Louis SMITH, W. DOYLE, S. LUNDQUIST, Alex LIND, Den DIGMONTY,
Alvon GINETTI, Peter VARSPIONO, Frank DEYMOVICH, all laborers.
Reported by H. A. AYERS, Res. Engr., Res. #3.
DRASTON, John
3 Feb 1908, 2:30 p.m.; at J. & L. Camp #4, Res. #12 (cut 1 B, sec 82).
Occupation, laborer; residence, camp #4; married; age 26.
Injury, badly bruised about head. Dr. BALDWIN, Col. River. Brg.; doctor called by
E. G. ANDERSON, foreman, Camp #4.
Two holes were loaded, one containing 70 kegs and one 50 kegs of Black powder. Both shots
were supposedly fired at the same time about two weeks ago, but only one went off, leaving
the hole containing 50 kegs still there. Two men started to drill this shot out. The point
of the drill hit the powder which exploded. Gust ERICKSON was killed; Samuel DAHLIN and
Antone CARLSON were also injured.
Witness: Russel J. LATSHAW, chainman, res. #12.
Report by F. J. FARVER, Res. #12, J Cr Line.
DRINON, D. (Transcriber's note: could be DEMON, D., hard to tell if it's RIN or EM because
of handwriting.)
5 June 1908; 5:30 p.m.; at Sta 527, Camp Tunnel #49.
Laborer; residence, Bulgaria; age 40.
Injury; first finger of right hand crushed. Dr. J. S. JUDAH. Taken to Hospital at Lake
Keechelus.
DRINON was helping move cars in trap tunnel, when his finger was caught in passing another
car on side track.
Witnesses: C. JOHNSON, Michael TOLLY.
ERICKSON, Gust
3 Feb 1908, 2:30 p.m.; at Camp #4 Johnson A Line (Cut 1-88, sec 82).
Occupation, laborer; residence, Camp #4; married; age almost 40 years.
Killed; neck broken. Dr. BALDWIN, Col. River Brg.; called by E. G. ANDERSON, foreman,
camp #4.
Two holes were loaded, one containing 70 kegs and one 50 kegs of Black powder. Both
shots were supposedly fired at the same time about two weeks ago, but only one went off,
leaving the hole containing 50 kegs still there. Two men started to drill this shot out.
The point of the drill hit the powder which exploded and killed the above named man, who was
working on the slope. (Transcriber's note: Also injured John DRASTON, Samuel DAHLIN, and
Antone CARLSON.)
Witness: Russell J. LATSHAW, chainman, res. #12.
Reported by F. J. FARNER, Rodman, Res. #12.
ERICSON, John
20 April 1908, 4:00 p.m.; at Camp #9, L&G, Station 3710.
Occupation, driller, mucker; residence, Seattle; single; age 40 years.
Injury, burnt on face and hands, big gash on top of head and face, and hands badly cut.
Dr. FELCH; taken to Dr. FELCH's hospital Ellensburg; doctor called by W. S. GREENFIELD.
ERICSON was helping GULIEN load hole in slope all afternoon, evidently using a steel drill
and caused explosion as evidence shows. GULIEN killed. (Transcriber's note: This incident is
listed a second time in the book, which adds that "at time was unable to get him to talk of
injuries to face and ears".)
Witnesses: Only injured man.
Reported by F. M. CARTER, Res. Engr., Res. #7.
EZZIO, B. (Transcriber's note - Same day and time has another report under B. BEZZIO)
23 Oct 1908, 4 p.m.; at Rockdale.
Laborer, employee of H. C. HENRY, contractor; single; about 24 years old.
Injury, right hand injured. Sent to Dr. MOON's Hospital near Lake Keechelus.
While on bridge EZZIO stepped aside between two cars to allow party to pass by him, at
same time placing his hand between and one car and end of plaub projecting from another car;
when train started, hand was pinched.
Witnesses: Aug. CONLOMBLE, laborer, Ellensburg.
FRANK, Tony
4 Nov. 1907, 4:00 p.m.; at Sta. 3500, Resy #10.
Occupation, stationman; sub-contractor; residence, unknown; married; age 34.
Injury; eyes severely burned, face and shoulders burned. Dr. H. W. FELCH, Ellensburg.
Next day sent to Hospital in Cle Elum.
He was preparing to shoot a hole, had already sprung. Commenced loading before
sufficiently cooled, had poured about three quarters of a keg of black powder into hole
before powder exploded. When it did explode two other kegs near the surface also went off.
Witnesses: Gus and Chris DIMITRI, also injured.
Report by F. M. CARTER, Res. Engr., Res. #10.
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