Lincoln County NeArchives News.....Fireman Dead in Wreck (R. L. Dolson) January 25, 1903 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ne/nefiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Debra Crosby http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002467 September 8, 2018, 6:45 am The Omaha Daily Bee (Omaha, NE) Sun Jan 25, 1903 January 25, 1903 FIREMAN DEAD IN A WRECK ------------- Union Pacific Passenger Train Collides with Freight at Gothenburg ------------- ONE MAN KILLED AND ANOTHER INJURED ------------- Aside from the Ditching of Its Engine the Passenger Train Escapes Without Injury and Goes on West. NORTH PLATTE, Neb. Jan 24.---(Special Telegram)-- A serious wreck occurred on the Union Pacific road in the yards at Gothenburg at about 1:30 this forenoon. An ice train was switching and was on the main track when it was run into by train No. 3, which is a passenger. Engineer Ryan and Fireman Ralph Dolson were on the ice train engine and Engineer W. H. Dolson and Fireman Vosepeka were on the engine pulling No. 3. It is said that the ice crew thought they had sufficient time to do their switching before the No. 3 was due. The conductor of the ice train had been told that No. 3 had not left Lexington and, going on this theory, there was ample time to do their work. Fireman Under Engine After the wreck, parties commenced to render assistance, and Ralph Dolson was found under his engine. The right leg was torn from the body at the hip and the left one was cut off below the knee. Engineer Ryan had his left leg broken below the knee and several cuts on the face and Engineer W. H. Dolson was cut on the face and received several bruises. Fireman Vosepeka had his nose broken. One of the express messengers received a scalp wound, which required several stitches. None of the engineers or firemen jumped when the accident occurred. Engineer W. H. Dolson was thrown from his cab and his engine rolled over him, but he was not injured. Both engines are complete wrecks and one mail car and baggage car demolished. Several passengers received slight bruises caused by the sudden stopping of the train. Poor Engines Real Cause. It is claimed by the engine men that owing to escaping steam caused by the poor condition of the boilers they could not see one another in time to jump and save themselves. Engineer W. H. Dolson of North Platte, who was pulling the passenger, is the father of R. L. Dolson, fireman of the freight, who was killed, and immediately after the wreck, when he saw his mangled son in the wreckage, he cried in despair: "Why didn't you jump?" "I didn't have time," feebly replied the son. While both legs of the fireman were cut off just below the body and the body itself was somewhat mangled, the fireman lived for about 15 minutes after the accident. A special train was made up and the injured were brought here. Ten doctors were in session at the time and gave all the assistance needed. The passengers were taken to the Houston hotel at Gothenburg and welll cared for, and by 8 o'clock the road was cleared for trains. Superintendent Ware was on the scene with the wreck train and personally supervised the clearing of the track, looking after the injured. No. 3 Had Made up Time. GOTHENBURG, Neb. Jan 24.--(Special)--A disastrous wreck occurred at twenty minutes after midnight last night, caused by the ice train working on the main line on train No. 3's time. No. 3 was reported thirty minutes late, but had made up time, and before the ice crew was able to clear the main line No. 3, running at the rate of fifty miles an hour, struck it, telescoping both engines and leaving the balance of the passenger train on the track. The mail and chair cars were damaged and the passengers, including the "Peddler Claim' Theatrical company, were badly shaken. Mrs. Defoy was bruised on the knee and Mr. Miller had his ankle hurt. The fireman on the ice train, R. L. Dolson, was killed and the engineer of the ice train, W. H. Ryan, had his right leg fractured and broken. W. H. Dolson, engineer on No. 3, was the father of R. L. Dolson, who was killed, and when he saw his son in the throes of death he said: "Why did you not jump?" Young Dolson replied feebly: "I didn't have time." He died soon afterwards. Ten doctors were in session at the time and gave all assistance needed. The passengers were taken to the Houston hotel here and well cared for until a special train was made up, when they were taken to North Platte, with the remains of Dolson. Superintendent Ware of North Platte, was on the scene with the wreck train and personally supervised the clearing of the track, looking after the injured. The road was cleared by noon. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ne/lincoln/newspapers/firemand18gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/nefiles/ File size: 5.1 Kb