Three Section Foreman, two laborers and one brakeman killed outright and five Mexicans, laborers. were killed.
Jerry Henderson, the Roadmaster, was in the caboose of the work train, but jumped before the collision and saved his life. The following is a copy of Superintendent McLellan's report. -
Eastern Division - 12:02 P. M. October 8th, 1909 Between M.P. 47 and 48, Atchison District, East of North Topeka.
Portion of page 60 Meade's Manual transcribed in altered form for the web by Russell Crump
Sheet #5 - Eastern Division.
Statement of Accident Between M.P. 47 and 48 . - Continued.
The following is a copy of Superintendent McLellan's report (Continued)
Train N. Wk.Ex. 167, Eng. #167. Train No. Ex. East Eng. No. 185Work Extra Train #167, while backing into North Topeka from west of Kilmer, at a speed of about twenty miles per hour, collided with Ex. East 185 going at a speed of 25 miles per hour.Conductor, E. C. Brown Conductor, W. S. Drenner Brakeman, J. W. Hamilton Brakeman, Geo. C. Myers Brakeman, I. L. Clemens Brakeman, J. M. Allen Engineer, Jas. McKierman Engineer, Ed. S. Ash Fireman, Lewis Dixon Fireman, J. W. Corey
Section Foreman, Thos. A. Laird, Nortonville; Section Foreman, Chas. Res. North Topeka; Section Foreman, Jessie M. Tripp, Res. Valley Falls; Stephen Barnes, Laborer, North Topeka Section, Res. North Topeka; I. L. Clemens, Brakeman, Res. Emporia; Thos Brown, Sec. Laborer, Res. Valley Falls. The above six men killed outright, Manuel Alayla, Mexican Laborer, killed, Res. City of Jaurez; Juan Romero, Mexican Laborer, killed, Res. Trinidad; Estrado Deguno Tuato, Jose Snadovl, Mexican Laborer, killed; Francisco Eseubas, Jaun Infante, Santos Ramierez, Catarino Ramires, Valentine Presa and Jose Primental all Mexican Laborers, killed outright; J. W. Hamilton, Brakeman, Res. Argentine, foot bruised, sent to hospital, Topeka. Predro Lymosi, Juan Garciaca, Domingo Monequecha, Dolores Cano, Emeterio Ynfanto, Roman Castro and Encaraison Villiagrana and Mateo Pena, all Mexicans and injured, taken to Santa Fe Hospital, Topeka, to be cared for.
Accident caused by failure of Conductor E. C. Brown and Engineer McKiernan of Work Extra 167 to protect against East after 10:30 A.M. as required by order #5.
Ex. East 185 - 385 Tons
Wk. Extra 167 - 90 Tons
C.M. & St.P. 24455 flat car wrecked, value $350.00 " 22051 " " " 350.00 N.P. 67199 " " " " 380.00 N.C.St.L. 8621 " " " " 350.00 C.N.W. 45831 " " " " 350.00 AT&SF Coal Car 78907 damaged " 150.00 Engine & Tender #185 damaged " 1800.00 A.T. Way Car wrecked " 350.00 Track damaged " 50.00Accident occurred at 12:02 P.M. track cleared at 6:20 P.M.Total Damage $4100.00
Train 120 annulled No. 121 delayed 25"
Ex. 185 annulled after accident Ex. W. 403 delayed 8' at Atchison
No. 106 delayed 2'32" Account not having been able to get through
No. 107 delayed 10"
A. T. Coal Car 78907 damaged, loaded with slack coal destined St. Joe. Conductor Brown and Engineer McKiernan were at fault for this accident on account not protecting against Ex. 185 after 10:30 A.M. as required by order No. 8 and have been discharged. Conductor W. S. Drenner of Ex. East 185 knew there was a misunderstanding on the part of the crew of Work Extra 167 as he overheard conversation between Conductor E. C. Brown of Work Extra 167 and Engineer D. M. Channon of Extra #183, when Extra West 183 was flagged by flagman of Work Extra 167 at 9:25 A. M. At point where Work Extra was ditching in cut west of Kilmer. Conductor Drenner should have notified Operator at Topeka or the Dispatcher that this misunderstanding existed and he would have been given orders to protect within the Work Extra Limits, Meriden to Topeka. For this failure to take proper interest in this matter he has been discharged.
- Dated Emporia, October 16th, 1909"
Portion of page 61 Meade's Manual transcribed in altered form for the web by Russell Crump