Oct 8, 1869 Chaska Valley Herald The surveyors of the road were surveying through town this week, they followed the bottom land in the rear of the courthouse, passing in front of Ulmers brewery, thence under the bluff to Carver. We understand the the road will cross the river at Carver. We have been informed that there is doubt that this road will be built. The capital is already provided for and it is the intention of the directors to push it through with dispatch. April 7, 1870 Shakopee Argus Carver Bond Election- Quite an animated election took place in our neighboring city, Carver, yesterday, upon the project of issuing bonds to the amount of $20,000 in the aid of the Western R.R.-there 107 votes cast and a majority of 31 in favor of issuing bonds to the above amount running 25 years, bearing interest of 7 per cent annum payable semi-annually. The road is required to cross the river this side of Louisville thus preventing any possibility of the Hastings road crossing at the Rapids.- Herald May 5, 1870 Chaska Valley Herald The town Supervisors have unanimously adopted a resolution, pledging the credit of the town of Chaska for $10,000 to the Western Railroad more commonly known as the Mpls. Rd. Notice for a special meeting has been posted and the citizens of Chaska will have an opportunity of voting upon the ratification of the resolution on Saturday, May 14th, 1870. We think the road a great advantage to the town and shall support the measure. June 2, 1870 Chaska Valley Herald SPECIAL ELECTION- The special election on last tuesday, drew out a large vote. The bond excitement ran high. There was 171 votes cast, with a majority of 65 against the bonds. June 2, 1870 Chaska Valley Herald We are informed by the Mpls. Tribune, that the contract for grading six miles of the road has been let and that as soon as the route has been finally located the contract will be let to the Minnesota river. Chaska has forfeited the good will of the Company and will probably loose the elevator and even may not the benefit of a depot. The action was very short sighted and does not reflect very creditably upon the wisdom of the citizens of Chaska. June 23, 1870 Shakopee Argus The survey and permanent location of the Mpls. Western R.R. is now being made from Mpls. to Carver. The company do not intend to build their road to Shakopee. June 30, 1870 Chaska Valley Herald Minneapolis Railroad- The engineering party of the Mpls. and St. Louis Railroad have reached the Yorkville prairie and will encamp in our village tomorrow. The road runs as surveyed down the ravine near Mr. Teich' residence opposite Shakopee. July 14, 1870 Shakopee Argus The Mpls. Tribune says that work has been commenced at Mpls. on the St. Louis and Mpls. R.R. and that there is now scarcely a doubt that the grading of the entire road from that city to Carver will be ready for the iron early in the fall. We doubt it. Sept 1, 1870 Chaska Valley Herald Mpls.& St. Louis R.R.- The company have already begun work at this end of the route. A large gang of men are at work at Carver and a second gang will be set at work this week at or near Chaska. We are informed by the engineer, Col. Clough, that it is the intention of the Company to have the line graded through from Mpls. to Carver before the first of Dec. next. A notice of the time of the appointment of commissioner to appraise damages for lands taken for the use of the company appears in another column. Sept 29, 1870 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) Busy- S.H. Barlett, contractor on the Mpls. R.R. has about 40 men at work grading near Jas. Houghton's residence. He expects to have 100 next week when the work will go forward rapidly. Mr. B. has a contract for grading four miles. Oct 27, 1870 Chaska Valley Herald St. Louis R.R.- Work upon this road commenced in earnest at our village. There are some forty men and a dozen of teams at work within the village limits. There is another large party at work near the Yorkville prairie, also a third party this side of Carver. We have the assurance of the contractors that the grading will be completed here this fall , except on deep cuts. It is expected the first locomotive will make it's appearance in Chaska on the 4th of July next. Nov 10, 1870 Chaska Valley Herald Completed- Two miles of track has been completed near our village on the Mpls.& St. Louis R.R. Nov 10, 1870 Shakopee Argus The grading on the Mpls. and St. Loius Railroad is progressing finely on the north side of the river in plain view of Shakopee. The section of four miles between Carver and Eden Prairie is nearly finished except in deep cuts, where work can be performed after the ground freezes up. Nov 24, 1870 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) Col. Clough, Chief engineer of the St. Louis R.R., was in town on tuesday, taking a look at the road, grading & ect. The Col. is a "tip top fellow" and is "just the man" for the place he fills. Dec 1, 1870 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) Railroad- The grading on the Mpls.& St.Louis R.R. is about completed between Carver and Hennepin Co. line, Messrs. Bartlett, Ruet & Ottlieb and others having jobs on the road will complete their work this week. they have done a good job. Dec 15, 1870 Chaska Valley Herald Rumored accident- A rumor has reached our village that Mr. Barlett, recently a temporary resident of our village and a sub-contractor on the M&St.L R.R., met with his death in Mpls. on Monday or Tuesday, the result of an accident. Dec 22, 1870 Chaska Valley Herald Complaints- We have heard a great many complaints made by the laborers on the M&St.L. R.R. lately in regard to the pay department of said company. It seems that they are very tardy and negligent and have caused much discomfort to the laboring men on the road. We hope that it will be remedied hereafter. Jan 4, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald Mild Winter- Probably the oldest inhabitant has never seen so mild and pleasant winter in Minnesota as the present. Now nearly the middle of January and workman engaged in grading the railroad the same as usual and we have been informed that no day during the winter have the employees been obliged to suspend work, in consequence of the severity of the weather. We have as yet no sleighing in this vicinity, but as we go to press it looks snowy. Feb 9, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald In Town- Messrs., Clark and Lawrence, contractors on the Mpls. and St. Louis R.R. were looking about our "Sand Hills" for dirt to fill from the end of the road to the river bank. We believe they have let the job to A.B. Anderson, who will commence work soon. Col. Clough, engineer in chief, was with them. Feb 23, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) Business- The Mpls. and St.Louis R.R. Co. have let the job for driving the spiles on the bottom land, opposite Carver, there are about 2 miles which will need spiling, part of the machinery is on the ground and the remainder is on the way. Work will be commenced on Monday next. Mr. Buhler has commenced his job of filling to the river bank, it will take him about 2 months with 20 men and 12 teams. Mar 16, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver items) R.R. Bridge- The "Spile Driver" has arrived, boat built and work commenced. The center pier is about completed. The pier on the other side of the river will be done in a few days. There is to be three in all, stone is also being hauled from Louisville. The river is entirely clear at this point. May 18, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald Iron Purchased- The Mpls. Tribune learns from Hon. W.D. Washburne, who recently returned from the east that iron sufficient to track the M&StL. R.R. from the former city to the junction of the Saint Paul and Souix City R.R. has been purchased. June 15, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) Railroading- This work is progressing finely on both the Mpls. and Hastings road, large forces at work on both. The Mpls. road is shoveling the bridge along at a rapid rate and will have the spiling all done inside of week. July 20, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) Pay Day- Monday last was pay day on the Mpls. and also on the Hastings and Dakota R.R. The boys had plenty of money and felt good. July 27, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) R.R. Excursion- We had the honor of receiving an invitation to attend the R.R. opening from Mpls. to White Bear Lake on Saturday last, but owing to business engagements could not attend. Several of our citizens were however there and report a "Jolly Good Time." Commenced- We are informed by Mr. Webb, foreman for Langdon and Co., that they will commence work on the Carver bridge next week, on the foundation work, 10 or 15 teams are hauling rock from Louisville now, they expect to have the stone work all completed in two months, the cost of the bridge will be about $40,000. Aug 10, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) Col. Clough and R.P. Russell, Engineer and Superintendent of the M&St.L. R.R., were in town last week on a tour inspection. Mr. Russell informs us that they will commence laying the iron this week and after this week, they will lay it at a rate of a mile a day. Col. Clough is devoting his entire time now to this end of the road, the White bear end being finished and the cars running. Aug 31, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver items) The Bridge- Work on the R.R. bridge is going along very rapidly, the pier on the opposite side of the river is finished and the center one about half done, the one on this side of the is also commenced. They are put up in a good substantial manner. Langdon & Co. do all the work they do in tip-top order. The bridge will be entirely completed in about 3 weeks. Depot Grounds- Engineer Bundock informs us that work will commence on the M&St.L. R.R. depot next week, the grounds selected are near John Gustavsons Hotel and close to Capt. Johnsons residence. Sept 7, 1871 Shakopee Argus Iron On the Mpls. and St. Louis road has been laid 5 miles south from Mpls., and is going at the rate of five miles a day. Sept 21, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) Finished- The bridge piers for the M&St.L. R.R. at this place was finished on Tuesday last. They are certainly a model of beauty and very substantial, all the rock for them were obtained at the Louisville quarry. Langdon & Co. have rushed this work along at a rapid rate and Capt. Abrams the able foreman is "just the man for the place" The bridge timbers have arrived via the St.P & S.C.R.R. and teams are on hand to haul them to the river. The timbers are all framed and will soon be "Knocked together." We venture to say that inside of two weeks we will have the pleasure of hearing the "Shrill whistle of the locomotive" at this place. The track now being laid to within 14 miles from here. Such is the prediction of Supt. Russell and others. Oct 5, 1871 Shakopee Argus M&St.L. R.R.- The M&St.L. R.R. co. have laid down the iron from Mpls. to a point just north of the river, opposite Shakopee and in a few days the cars will be at Chaska. It will be three or four weeks before the Hastings and Dakota R.R. reaches Chaska. Oct 12, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) Mpls. R.R.- We are informed that track laying is completed to Mr. Druke's below Yorkville prairie, some 4 miles from this village. The "Iron Horse" is now within hearing distance from Chaska and we expect to soon greet the "Whistle" within our city limits.- Hurrah! The Bridge- T.B. Boomer of Chicago has a crew of 40 men at work on the bridge. They are shoving the work along at a rapid rate and it will soon be ready for the "Iron Horse" to cross. Hon. W.D. Washburn, Hon. Jas. Smith jr., Hon. H.T. Wells, T.H. Clark and W.W. Hungerford of the Superior R.R. were in town on Friday last on a "tour of inspection" we understand they were pleased with the looks of things up this way. Nov 2, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald The first contruction train on the Mpls. Road, entered town last Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock p.m. J.C. Brennan being conductor in charge. The train was loaded with ties and iron and was immediately preceded by track layers, some 50 or more, the whole gang under charge of Mr. Thos. Brennan, known in railroad circle as being one of the most active and successful track layer in the state. The first appearance of the "Iron Horse" was greeted by the citizens of Chaska with "joy unbounded," marking as it does a "new era" in our existence, fore shadowing a bright future for Chaska. With the advent of the Hastings R.R. we will review the history of both enterprise and honor those to whom "honor" is due. The Cars- The cars on the Mpls. R.R. are in sight and will be running to this place in order next week. (Carver Items) Bonds- The M&St.L. R.R. Co., through their attorney, Frank Warner, have demanded of the town of Carver the $20,000 bonds, that was voted them. We understand a special meeting of the town board will soon be called for the purpose of issuing the same. Nov 9, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald Passenger Coach- The first train, with passenger coaches attached, passed up the Mpls. road on Wednesday. We understand the officers of the road and other citizens of Mpls. were inspecting the road bed. Telegraph- The Mpls. R.R. Co. have erected a telegraph line along their road and we understand it is already in working order.- We are marching along. The Cars- The first train of cars on the M&St.L. R.R., arrived at the depot on Friday last at 12:45 direct from Mpls. Locomotive No. 9 and 10 as they neared the depot "blew their trumpets" till the larger portion of our inhabitants came on the trot to see what was the matter. The citizens furnished the laborers with free beer, 5 kegs, and all had a good time generally. We noticed the following railroad officials on board, W.W. Hungerford, Supt., L.S. and M. R.R., Gen. Alexander, Genl. ticket agent of the same. Gen, W.D Washburne, Vice Pres., M&St.L. R.R., Col. J. Clough, Chief Engineer and Sam Bundock Asst. It was a glorious moment for Col. Clough who has worked early and late in this enterprise since it's beginning, a large share of honor belongs to him. The cars will be running to this place regularly in about 10 days. The timbers for the depot is being brought up and workman at work. We have not heard who is to be agent, but presume it will be a Mpls. man. (Carver Items) The Bridge- The bridge was swung into place on Sunday last at 3 o'clock under the supervision of Alex. Ross, in the presence of a large number of people, everthing passed of all O.K. It is a substantial and beautiful piece of workmanship, the track will now be laid to the junction and cars running to that point by Saturday this week. (Carver Items) Good Time- The boys about town are having a good time with the hand cars on the Minn. Rd. but engineer Burdock wants it stopped. Nov 16, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald Excursion- An excursion train passed up the Mpls. road on tuesday, bound for the junction of that road with the Souix City R.R. We understand the party had a general good time. Nov 30, 1871 Shakopee Argus Opening of M&St.L. R.R. - On Saturday the opening of this road to the public was celebrated by an excursion over the road and a dinner at Mpls. More than a thousand invited guests living upon the line of the road participated in the ceremonies. A train of six cars filled with invited guests ran over the road from the western terminus at Louisville, in Scott Co., to Mpls. and a train of large number of cars filled and crowded ran from White Bear, at the other terminus of the road, also to Mpls. The festivities at Mpls. were grand and joyous. Toasts fitting to the occasion were drank and responses given that greatly added to the pleasure of the occasion. To Mpls., this railroad is of vast importance as it penetrates a region of country that was fast becoming tributary to St. Paul, but really, by geographical position, belonged to Mpls. The road runs from White Bear Lake, on the line of the lake Superior R.R., to St. Anthony and Mpls, and also, as now built, from a junction with the St. Paul and Sioux City railroad at Louisville, Scott Co., through Carver, Chaska, Eden Prairie and thence to Mpls. The distance from Louisville to Mpls. is 26 miles and from White Bear Lake to Mpls. is 18 miles, making the entire length of the road as now finished, 44 miles. This was not a land grant road, but has been built entirely by private enterprise, except a bonus of $90,000 by Mpls. and $20,000 by the village of Carver. The road has been one of difficult construction, requiring heavy grading and has cost more than $20,000 a mile, the total cost being $900,000. As an investment this road will not prove a fortune to it's stockholders, nor, was this expected, but it proves that railroads can be built in Mpls. without a land grant. We invite the land grabbers to remember this fact. Dec 7, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald Railroad Items- The depot building for the H&D road is about completed. Work upon the water tank and engine house will be commenced at once. It is expected to have both structures completed inside of three weeks. The turn-table is completed and in working order. The Mpls. road has completed a water tank near the creek on the Waconia rd. No steps has yet been taken by the Mpls. road towards the erection of a depot and the building of side tracks at this place. Business- Since the opening of the M&St.L. R.R., one man, Mr. Andrew Schrimpf has received 15 carloads of lumber from Mpls. This is business we should say. (Carver Items) Dec 14, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald R.R. Items- The Mpls. R.R. is putting in side tracks, switches & ect., near Von Milkens place and will probably erect a depot there. Mr. H. Hungerford, the affable agent of the M&St.L. R.R. at this place is beginning to be overrun with business as large quantities of freight are accumulating at his depot for the country towns back of here. He understands his business thoroughly and will give the public generally, entire satisfaction. (Carver Items) Dec 21, 1871 Chaska Valley Herald R.R. Items- The site for the depot on the M&St.L. road has finally been determined in favor of Von Milkens block and the depot building is up and enclosed. It is not as large as the H&D depot, but is yet of very fair dimension and will add materially to the appearance and business prospects of that part of town. Jan 4, 1872 Chaska Valley Herald Pulling Down- Jos. Long Esq., agent at Merriam informs us that they are busily engaged in pulling down the depot buildings at that place, everything will be moved up to the junction next week. The matter of connection has not yet been settled. (Carver Items) Jan 22, 1872 Chaska Valley Herald -The M&St.L. R.R. are running, since Monday last, two regular passenger trains over the road, each way, daily. Feb 29, 1872 Chaska Valley Herald We understand the M&St.L. R.R. will in a few days run a regular train from Carver, direct to St. Paul, leaving Chaska at 6 o'clock in the morning and arrive in St. Paul at 9 A.M. Apr 25, 1872 Shakopee Argus Railroad Surveys- The M&St.L. R.R. Co. have an engineering party at work surveying and locating its road through Sand Creek and Helena, in this county. From the Junction in Louisville, this road keeps along adjacent to and on the south side of the Valley railroad for a couple of miles. The track then strikes off at a tangent for Jordan and thence following the most practicable route south to a point just west of New Prague. The indications are strong that this road will be built this season through Scott and Le Sueur counties and perhaps extended to the southern part of the state. Funds have been provided by a banking firm in Berlin to finish the road. May 23, 1872 Shakopee Argus A new survey has been made on the St. Louis and Mpls. railroad from the Junction to Jordan. Instead of keeping up adjacent to the Sioux City road, the new survey strikes out to the southwest and makes a bad cut through all the farms between the Junction to Jordan. But perhaps the new route will not be adopted. Feb 6, 1873 Chaska Valley Herald The survey of the M&St.L. R.R. has just been completed. The distance we learn is 90 miles from the Junction of the same with the Sioux City. The work upon the road will be pushed rapidly forward soon as spring opens. Nov 27, 1873 Chaska Valley Herald We copy the following item in regard to the M&St.L. R.R. from a late member of the St. Paul Dispatch. it is as follows: We understand that the lease of the M&St.L. R.R. and Mpls. and Duluth roads to the Lake superior and Northern Pacific roads has been annulled and these lines will hereafter be operated by Mr. Washburn and his Mpls. associates. The lines extend from Mpls. to Carver and from Mpls. and white bear Lake. Dec 18, 1873 Chaska Valley Herald Mpls. is jubilant on having a railroad of her own. The negotiations which have been for some pending for the transfer of the M&St.L. and Mpls. and Duluth roads to the original stockholders, by the Northern Pacific Co., were concluded yesterday. The consolidated line is 42 miles in length and was somewhat over 2 years ago leased to the Lake Superior & Mississippi Co. for a period of 999 years. Subsequently the Lake Superior & Mississippi road was leased to the Northern Pacific and the M&St.L. and Duluth and Mpls. were also transferred to have and since been operated by that company. The consolidated lines and personal property have been formerly transferred to the Mpls. men, who will operate the road on and after today. The following are the officers of the company. Hon. H.T. Welles, Pres., Hon. W.D. Washburn, Vice Pres., Hon. B.J. Baldwin, Treasurer, A.H. Bode, Secretary. Mar 12, 1874 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) Telegraph- Capt. W.H. Mills the gentlemanly agent at the Mpls. depot has put in an "instrument" and hereafter will "put through" your messages at "lighting speed". This is a great accommodation to our people and the Capt. is deserving of thanks for his action in the matter. July 30, 1874 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) Smash Up- Dr. Palls horse, thinking perhaps that he needed the exercise, concluded to try railroading and on Friday morning started from the Dr.'s residence and ran down the Mpls. track at a furious rate, the consequence being, that the Dr., "picked up his buggy in a bushel basket." Apr 1, 1875 Chaska Valley Herald Richard Smithwick is the watchman at the trestle work on the M&St.L. R.R. opposite Shakopee and keeps a boarding house for the section men employed on that road. Smithwick came into town on Sunday night about 11 o'clock covered with blood and a frightful wound on the head. He entered a complaint against Mike Logan, Mike Bolen, Thomas Barrett, Henry Bohlig and John Brum for assault and battery, all being section men and three of them boarded with Smithwick. After a jury trial a verdict of "Guilty" was returned against Mike Bolen and Thomas Barrett, who were fined $5 cash and costs, the three being acquitted. Bolen and Barrett each paid Esq. Iltis $14.62 cents and went on their way rejoicing. Feb 10, 1876 Chaska Valley Herald Accident- On Wednesday last as the morning train on the Mpls. road was passing the crossing of the Carver road, near Livermann's brewery, a one horse team, belonging to some Mpls. peddler, became unmanageable and collided with the train, killing the horse and smashing the sleigh into splinters, fortunately the driver was thrown out of the sleigh before the collision, thus escaping, perhaps, fatal injuries. Nov 23, 1876 Shakopee Argus The Le Sueur Echo says that the Mpls. and St. Louis R.R. Co. is engaged in settling for right of way for the construction of that road through Le Sueur Co. next season. Jan 11, 1877 Chaska Valley Herald Accident- Eugene Savage, son of P.M. Savage, mail agent on the Mpls. road, while coupling cars in this village, last Thursday, had his hand badly crushed and will doubtless suffer amputation of one or more fingers in consequence. Braking is dangerous business in winter. Mar 22, 1877 Chaska Valley Herald Mpls. R.R.- It is a fixed fact that the Mpls. R.R. will extend their line the coming summer from Sioux City junction to the Iowa state line. Notice is already being published for the tie contract. It will be a great benefit to Mpls. Mar 29, 1877 Shakopee Argus It is officially announced that the Mpls. and St. Louis road is to be extended , during the coming summer, to the Iowa line and a connection made with the Iowa Central, a distance of 90 miles from Sioux City junction. Hon. W.D. Washburn, during his recent visit east, negotiated a loan of $1,100,000, in the interest of the M&St.L. Co., contracted for the iron and as soon as profiles can be completed bids for the work will be received. It is expected that the road will be completed and in operation by Sept. 1st. This will give Mpls. a new and direct route to St. Louis and by connection with the Chicago & Northwestern road at Cedar Rapids, an additional route to Chicago. The advantages to be derived from the opening of this new and competing southern and eastern route are apparent. Mar 22, 1877 Chaska Valley Herald Contract Awarded- Bids for furnishing the M&St.L. R.R. Co. with 140,000 crossties for the proposed extension of their line, were opened at the offices of the, in this city, yesterday and the contract was awarded to Messrs. George E. Case and John Watson, they being the lowest bidders. Their bid was for white oak, 25 cts.; red elm and butternut, 23 3/4 cts.; red oak, white elm and black ash,, 22 3/4 cts.; and the ties are to be delivered by July 1st. The railway co. are completing their profiles as rapidly as possible and will advertise for proposals for grading in the course of two or three weeks. May 31, 1877 Shakopee Argus Jordan is full of people who make that village headquarters for building the St. Louis R.R. Times are lively there. New business firms are springing up and the business of the old ones is enlarging. July 19, 1877 Shakopee Argus (Jordan Items) Nicolin and Foss have tracks built from the M&St.L. R.R. to their mill, which saves them the expense of hauling their flour one mile to the Sioux City depot. The cars are now running on the M&St.L. R.R. as far up as Foss, Well's & Co. mill. The cars have not run over anybody yet, but they will no doubt if the little children are not kept off of the track. Sept 6, 1877 Chaska Valley Herald Killed- A man was killed last Sunday morning (name unknown) a short distance below this place, he resided in Jordan. The construction train was going from Jordan to Mpls. The deceased intended to visit the latter place and carelessly sat upon the break wheel, when near Vogel's hill, the engine gave a sudden start and precipitated him under the wheels of the cars; he fearfully mangled and lived some two hours after the accident. He brought back to this place and surgeons called, but nothing could be done. we understand he leaves a wife and two children. It is a sad affair. Sept 13, 1877 Shakopee Argus (Jordan Items) The M&St.L. R.R. is now completed and cars running to Waseca and the rails are being laid southward to the state line. The company are expecting a good passenger travel on the road as soon as through connection is made to St. Louis. Four new passenger cars have been purchased by the company and they are fine ones too. These cars are named "Jordan", "Waseca", "Waterville", and "Albert Lea" and all are provided with the air brake. The company has 11 engines on the road. Young men should be careful when they leave the firm and shop to work on cars. Christian Hazelbrink, a section hand on the M&St.L. road fell from a flat car Sunday morning, near Eden Prairie and had both legs nearly cut off, one at the thigh and the other above the knee. He only lived a short time. He leaves a wife and four children. Sept 20, 1877 Shakopee Argus (New Prauge Items) The cars of the M&St.L. R.R. are passing regularly now by the prosperous and thriving village of New Prague and thus helping us to a better trade and business. Our wheat elevator is going up here and in a very short time it will be ready to receive supplies of wheat from the farmers. Another elevator will be erected in Montgomery, Le Sueur Co., 12 miles south of this place. The builders and proprietors of these elevators are Messrs. Christian & Co. of Mpls. Dec 13, 1877 Shakopee Argus On Tuesday an excursion party passed over the M&St.L. R.R. to Mpls. This party consisted of about five hundred citizens from the southern part of the state. This was an excursion gotten up by the railroad company on behalf of the city, as a celebration of the railroad. Toasts were proposed to the towns on the line of the road and responded to as follows; Albert Lea, Judge E.C. Stacey; New Richland, Mr. F. Keenan; Waseca, Hon. James E. Child; Waterville, Hon. L.Z. Rogers; Kilkenny, Dennis Doyle; Jordan, W.H. Baier and Mpls., Prof. O.V. Tousley. Jan 31, 1878 Chaska Valley Herald Generous Act- The M&St.L. R.R. Co. , Gen. W.D. Washburn Pres., have given Mr. Chas. Moeshler the sum of $100. It will be remembered that Mr. M. was injured by a passing train on that road and that the Co. were really not to blame in the matter. This is a generous act and testifies to the generous impulses of Pres. Washburn. Mar 21, 1878 Shakopee Argus It is reported that the M&St.L. R.R. Co. is about to lower the grade on it's road up the bluff north of Shakopee. Probably the company will also arch over the creeks and fill up the ravines where the trestle works now stand. These high trestles are a source of alarm to all who have occasion to cross them on the cars. Apr 18, 1878 Chaska Valley Herald Narrow Escape- Franz Schirmer almost lost his team of horses yesterday. he was harrowing near the M&St.L. R.R. between Chaska and Carver and his team became frightened at an approaching train. The horses ran away taking the railway track for their race course and ran into the trestle work near Kult's farm. Here they were caught and the engine of the train was just able to prevent the train from running over the horses. The horses were extracted from the trestle after a good deal of work and were fortunately found to be uninjured. June 6, 1878 Shakopee Argus Would it not be well for our city council to appoint a committee to confer with the managers of the M&St.L. R.R. in regard to building of a station at the trestle? Every day passengers cross Bass' ferry to take the Mpls. train at the trestle. We know of no point at which an elevator would be of more importance to Scott Co. A better wheat market than Chaska now has, could be soon built up. The attention of the council is respectfully called to the fact. June 13, 1878 Chaska Valley Herald Committed to Jail- John Anderson, a laborer on the Mpls. road, was committed to jail last Monday by Justice Mills, of Carver, for 10 days. Some of his friends came down the same evening, however and paid his fine and he was liberated. He is said to be a hard case. Since writing the above, Anderson was rearrested for threatening to kill a shoemaker in Carver also named Anderson. He was arrested by deputy sheriff Logelin and brought before Justice Mills, who, after a full examination, fined him $20 and costs and in default of payment committed him to Sheriff DuToits care for 40 days, where he will languish at county expense. July 25, 1878 Chaska Valley Herald The M&St.L. R.R. are now at work putting down another side track for the use of our brick yards. This business is assuming proportions that more room for shipping is required. Nov 7, 1878 Chaska Valley Herald Serious Accident- A brakesman was seriously injured last Sat. while coupling cars at the Mpls. R.R. depot. He was caught between the "bumpers" and is thought to be fatally injured. Dec 19, 1878 Shakopee Argus The M&St.L. R.R. have put in that switch track at the Helena mill and freight and passenger will hereafter be received at Helena station. The post office has also been removed to that station. May 1, 1879 Chaska Valley Herald A passing train on the Mpls. Railroad on Monday morning, set fire to a very large pile of sawed wood near Kennings planing mill, but prompt alarm of fire called the fire co. and other citizens to the rescue who soon put the fire out. June 5, 1879 Shakopee Argus It is rumored in private and semiofficial circles that the MSt.L. R.R. Co. are going to construct a second track along the present line from Mpls. to Merriam Jct. It is claimed that the second track is to be used by the Sioux City & St. Paul Co. This company as is well known, have been endeavoring for some time to obtain entrance to Mpls. If this report be well founded this action on the part of the Sioux City Co. will be the most important change that has taken in railroad circles in Minnesota for years. June 26, 1879 Chaska Valley Herald Peter Drucke, of Chanhassen, had a good piece of fence destroyed by fire, from the sparks from a locomotive on the Mpls. Rd. July 3, 1879 Chaska Valley Herald The M&St.L. R.R. Co. are going to entirely re-build the Vogel bridge. The timber is now on the ground and work will commence immediately. A much needed improvement. July 10, 1879 Chaska Valley Herald Action has been brought against the M&ST.L. R.R. by Henry Teich, Rudolf Teich and Peter Drucke for damages sustained by them last spring, by losses by fire. Sparks from a passing train setting fire to fences and timber. These men after many attempts to settle the matter with the company, have at last had to bring it before the courts. Sept 4, 1879 Shakopee Argus The M&St.L. R.R. Co. have put in a new trestle in place of the old one near Eden Prairie station. The high trestle opposite this city is in a dangerous condition. The timbers are weak and decayed. Jan 22, 1880 Chaska Valley Herald Chief Engineer Rich, of the Mpls. R.R. was in town last week at the head of a surveying party, bound for Waconia. He is looking over a line from Mpls. southwest to intersect the Winona & St. Peter road. He is unable to give any idea of the practicability of the route until he has fully examined the nature of the country between the two points named. May 13, 1880 Chaska Valley Herald The Mpls. and St. Louis road is building a branch road from Hopkins station to Hotel St. Louis, Lake Minnetonka. It will be finished by July. July 16, 1880 Chaska Valley Herald Station agent Luck, has gone to Fort Dodge, Iowa, to take charge of the new Mpls. depot, until the company can find a competent agent for that station. Sept 16, 1880 Shakopee Argus Passengers to Mpls. last week found the trestle opposite this city a convenient place to take the cars. Would it not be advisable for the city council to enter into negotiations with M&St.L. R.R. Co., whereby a depot, or at least a platform, will be constructed at this trestle. Sept 23, 1880 Shakopee Argus A son of John Cavanaugh, who lives near Riley's Lake, in Carver Co., was run over by a hand car yesterday afternoon and severely injured. He was riding on the car which broke in some manner and threw the occupants to the ground. The boy was thrown on the track in front of the car and the wheels passed over him. he was considerably bruised and one wrist put out of joint. Dr. Lord was called and dressed the injuries. Jan 6, 1881 Shakopee Argus Friday night a serious accident took place on the M&St.L. R.R. opposite this city. A freight train was thrown from the track by a broken rail just as the train was nearing the high trestle work opposite town. The engine and nine cars left the track and were precipitated down the embankment. four of the cars were loaded with wheat and though the cars were forced from the tracks but little wheat was lost. The engine turned completely over, injuring the engineer and fireman slightly. Had the broken rail been but a few feet further on, the train would have been thrown into a gully 90 feet deep. Mar 10, 1881 Shakopee Argus Superintendent Gaylord of the M&St.L. R.R. has written City Recorder, Julius Collier, that he will construct a station house at the trestle opposite Shakopee this coming summer. June 23, 1881 Shakopee Argus The M&St.L. evening passenger train has changed time. It arrives at Mpls. at 9:00 p.m. instead of 6:50 as formerly. Passengers wishing to take this train at the trestle opposite this city, should be in waiting at 8:15. The trestle is now a Flag station. June 30, 1881 Shakopee Argus Track laying has begun on the new line of the M&St.L. R.R. Trains are expected to be running to the docks at Excelsior by July 4th. Sept 1, 1881 Shakopee Argus The M&St.L. R.R. trains now run into Excelsior, the bridge and draw at Solberg's point having been finished. Also yesterday the Lyndale Motor line finished it's track to Excelsior. Mpls. will have little difficulty in reaching the best known watering place in the northwest. Sept 15, 1881 Shakopee Argus A wrecked freight train on the M&St.L. road delayed the passenger train on that railway Monday evening until midnight. Several Shakopeeites were aboard. Feb 9, 1882 Shakopee Argus Those who have occasion to take the Mpls. train on the M&St.L. road at the trestle will be pleased to learn that a station house has been built at that point. It is small but comfortable, which is all that can be asked. Mar 23, 1882 Shakopee Argus (Jordan Items) Last Thursday morning a wreck occurred on the M&St.L. road, about a mile from Jordan, caused by a car jumping the track. Four cars were ditched, two of which were loaded with horses, but fortunately none were killed. May 4, 1882 Shakopee Argus The much talked of purchase of the M&St.L. R.R. by the Rock Island and St. Paul & Omaha companies has been effected. Monday a reorganization took place. July 20, 1882 Chaska Valley Herald A brakeman, on the M&St.L. R.R. gravel train, by mishap fell under the train and had his right leg crushed, last Monday, so that amputation was necessary and performed by Dr. Lewis, on Monday afternoon with satisfactory results. July 27, 1882 Chaska Valley Herald Theodore Suptig, the Polander brakeman, who had his leg amputated last week by Dr. Lewis, died on Friday and was buried in the Catholic cemetery on Saturday. His death is the result of internal injuries received at the time of the accident. We are informed that he leaves a wife and three children in the old country. Aug 10, 1882 Shakopee Argus The M&St.L. road is doing immense freight traffic. It is rumored that trains on that road are to run into Mpls. via Merriam Jct. and the St. Paul over the St. Paul & Omaha, while the former road is graded opposite the city. Freight trains find much difficulty in climbing the grade from Chaska to Eden Prairie. Oct 12, 1882 Shakopee Argus The Pioneer Press of the 10th contains the following: The M&St.L. road occupied the Sioux City freight house at the levee. The road does it's own handling of freight now, into St. Paul, over the Chicago, St. Paul, Mpls., & Omaha line from Merriam Jct. It is reported that the Omaha line will use the M&St.L. tracks from Merriam Jct. to Mpls. Nov 23, 1882 Shakopee Argus Synopsis of article: John Galvin, conductor on the M&St.L. R.R., killed at Jordan. foot got got caught in frog, Shakopee Courier also has story. Nov 23, 1882 Chaska Valley Herald The M&St.L. R.R. have placed two push engines at Chaska, one for day work and the other for night work and will remain here for the winter. The engines employ 10 men who will make the Merchants hotel headquarters during the winter. The heavy freight trains running over the road render this step necessary. The M&St.L. R.R. have been putting in extra side tracks in this village, their enormous business demanding it. Jan 4, 1883 Chaska Valley Herald Gerhard Lenharts, a farmer of Chanhassen, had a very narrow escape from instant death last Wednesday. In driving down the hill near Joseph Vogel's on his way to Shakopee, the road making a sharp curve, he drove upon the M&St.L. R.R. track just in advance of a passing train and in consequence of the planks having been taken out between the rails, the sleigh became fastened between the rails and the locomotive struck the sleigh, throwing the whole rig to one side of the road, Mr. L., providentially escaping with a broken knee pan and other bad bruises about the head and shoulders. The sleigh and harness were demolished, but the horses also escapes with some bad wounds. Taken altogether it was a fortunate escape and should cost the company a round sum for damages in view of the fact that the section men removed the planks between the rails, rendering crossing by teams a very dangerous expedient. Aug 2, 1883 Shakopee Argus What Shakopee wants, what Mpls. wants and what would be of considerable benefit to the M&St.L. R.R. is a passenger depot of respectable size and a freight depot at the trestle opposite Shakopee. If both these were erected then hacks would be run for passengers and a regular truck line for freight would be operated. From the trestle to Shakopee it is down grade and the roads are nearly always in good condition. Mpls. would receive double the trade from Shakopee that she now does and the St. Louis road would handle a large amount of freight for this city. Sept 13, 1883 Shakopee Argus Joseph Stokes, a farmer living at Merriam Jct., was run over buy the cars Wednesday morning and almost instantly killed. Oct 4, 1883 Shakopee Argus Fatal Collision- Shortly after 4 o'clock Friday morning an accident occurred on the M&St.L. R.R. opposite this city which resulted in the death of 4 persons. Two freights, the regular and the special, left Chaska a few moments apart. The head train consisted of 18 cars and a caboose. The grade about 2 miles from Chaska gradually rises until it reaches 60 feet to the mile. Here the head freight broke in two, 9 cars and the caboose running back down the steep grade. The special was just at the foot of the hill and running at full speed when she was struck by the broken section. The engine of the special and five cars and five cars of the regular were totally smashed. Every effort was made by the conductor and brakesman to stop the wild section but the brakes were out of order. The trains came together with tremendous force and the engineer, fireman and brakesman were instantly killed, as was also a stockman who was riding in the caboose. One of the wrecked cars was filled with cattle, of which 20 were killed, only one escaping. Oct 4, 1883 Chaska Valley Herald Killed in a Collision- A terrible accident occurred on the M&St.L. R.R. on Vogel's hill, shortly after 4 o'clock on last Friday morning. We copy the following account of the disaster from the Pioneer Press special, who was upon the ground shortly after the accident. "The regular freight train, No. 35 leaving Chaska at 4:38, was followed by a special freight, which left about 10 minutes later. No. 35 consisted of 18 cars and a caboose. At the hill 2 1/2 miles south of Chaska, where the grade is 60 feet to the mile, No. 35 broke in two, 9 cars and a caboose running backward down the hill. At the foot of the hill this section struck the special, smashing 4 cars, the caboose and the engine of the latter and five cars of No. 35. The conductor and brakeman endeavored to stop the wild section as soon as the breakage was discovered, but half the brakes were out of order and the remainder were unable to stop the train. When the collision occurred, the special was running at full speed, the loose section at about 4 or 5 miles an hour. The train struck with tremendous force, the engine was hurled from the track and the engineer, fireman and brakeman killed instantly. The car of No. 35 were piled up in a splintered mass to the south of the track. P.H. McAuliffe, a stock dealer, who was riding in the caboose, was killed. One of the derailed cars was filled with cattle, 20 head of which were killed, one heifer escaping. Supt. Clark left Mpls. with a wrecking train at 7 and the track was cleared by noon. The bodies of the engineer, William Snow and fireman, James McCann were found in the engine, which lay on it's side. The stockman, McAuliffe, was found under a overturned box car in the swamp, south of the track. The bodies were horribly mangled, a terrible gash extending over the engineer's face from the chin to the forehead. The throttle of the engine was wide open, which conclusively proves that the back running train was not seen until the collision. The killed were: William Snow, Mpls., engineer, James McCann, Mpls., fireman, Michael Maloney, Michigan, brakeman and P.H. McAuliffe, stockman in the employ of Charles Witte. Oct 4, 1883 Shakopee Courier This article is the same as the Shakopee Argus and the Chaska Valley Herald, except they added this: A dense fog prevailed at the time which must have prevented the runaway train being seen by the engineer. The wood work of the wreck was afterwards burned by the company, while neighboring Indian settlers got away with all the beef they wanted; and we understand some of them were over on Sunday and cleaned up the wet and damaged wheat; good for chicken feed. Nov 29, 1883 Chaska Valley Herald A cattle car attached to a freight train on the M&St.L. R.R. was thrown from the track last Friday on the Summitt opposite Shakopee while trying to side track. The train hands promptly knocked the car to pieces, saving all the cattle but one. Apr 17, 1884 Shakopee Courier John Stuart Jr., of Eden Prairie, Killed by the Cars. On last Thursday evening, 7:40, a young man of 20 years named John Stuart Jr. whose father is a well known Eden Prairie farmer, while returning from Mpls., afoot, in the company with another youth named John Balme, crossing a trestle on the M&St.L. R.R. near Hopkins station, was struck by a passing train and killed. Balme, who was behind, warned him the train was coming swinging himself off to one side on a cross tie, while Stuart attempted to run forward and off the trestle, but was caught by the engine a couple of ties from the end. After the train had passed, Balme found the remains of his unfortunate companion lying on the track, with the head disevered, an arm cut away and otherwise horribly mangled. Hurrying on he reported the facts to the station men and thence to Goodrich's on Eden Prairie to two half brothers of Stuart. During the night the remains were gathered up, after, it is said, being rolled and run over by other passing trains; Mr. Ezra Paine of Shakopee was among those who assisted in the sorrowful task of picking up the cut and scattered portions thereof. The engineer of the first train didn't notice the accident until many miles away when, while oiling up at some station, he found a suspender and a piece of flesh on the locomotive. May 22, 1884 Shakopee Courier Mr. F.A. Tuck, the accommodating agent of the "M&St.L" notifies of change in time as will be seen above. The trestle station is called "Summit." Sept 25, 1884 Shakopee Argus The M&St.L. depot at Carver was broken in to last weekend a trunk broken open and articles of value taken therefrom. Dec 11, 1884 Shakopee Courier Sad Accident- A fatal accident occurred at Merriam Jct. last week whereby a young man of Le Suer, a brakeman on conductor Moriarity's freight train, caught his foot in a frog and was run over and killed. Dec 25, 1884 Chaska Valley herald It is reported that the officials of the M&St.L. R.R. are discharging all their depot agents who are not married and replacing them with married men. They first notify the agent and inform him he can hold his position providing he takes unto himself a better half in a specified time, if not he gets the g.b. This is a mighty good scheme for some of the young men in this cold country, but still it is rather rough on the poor girl.- Arlington Enterprise Jan 15, 1885 Shakopee Argus Last Thursday two trains collided on the M&St.L. R.R. near Chaska, but without any serious result, the trains were delayed several hours. Jan 22, 1885 Shakopee Argus If our Board of Trade had any life they would petition the officials of the M&St.L. R.R. to change their track from the present location along the bluff and have it come directly through the bluff from Riley's lake to a certain point on the river bank and from thence circle through the bottoms until it would strike the old location at Yorkville prairie. We do not think that it would require much effort to convince the railway officers that such a course would prove beneficial to them. First they would do away with both of the high trestles and the fill through the bottoms could easily be made from materials obtained from the cut through the bluff. Our road demonstrates the fact that an eight feet fill would be more than sufficient. Then they would naturally get the largest percentage of our trade, as it would be a direct line to Mpls. and a good line to St. Paul. Our citizens have fooled around long enough with St. Paul, let us affiliate with its more energetic neighbors, the metropolis of the state, Mpls. May 14, 1885 Chaska Valley Herald Will the M&St.L. . rebuild the depot at this place in order to comply with the law enacted last winter or will the two companies unite and jointly build a union depot. Our people are anxious to know before the first of June. May 28, 1885 Chaska Valley Herald August Vahl, a prominent farmer of Waconia, had a valuable mare killed by the M&St.L. R.R. at the crossing near Leivermanns brewery last Thursday evening. His team was feeding some distance from the track and became frightened and unmanageable at an approaching train and broke away from Mr. Vahl and ran upon the track before a passing train. Nov 26, 1885 Chaska Valley Herald New Depot Building- Chaska has finally been accorded ample depot accommodations by both the H&D and M&St.L. R.R.'s.(Goes on and gives dimensions) May 6, 1886 Chaska Valley Herald Mr. C. Monnis, of Louisville, Scott Co., and father of the Monnis bros., was struck by an engine on the Mpls. railroad track just this side of Carver on Monday afternoon and killed, living but a few moments after being struck. he was hard of hearing and probably did not hear the signal to clear the track. He was upward of 80 years of age and well known as an old settler, having resided on his Louisville farm over 30 years. May 13, 1886 Scott Co. Argus (E.P. Col) Two young bloods of Eden Prairie after visiting with friends near the depot until a late hour at night started for home. Finding the box cars invitingly near and slowly moving, they climbed up, supposing the cars were being sidetracked. The train slowly, but surely, moved out of the depot and obligingly side tracked in Chaska; and those two well known gents mourn, fully plodded their way home, sadder but wiser men. But this is a profound secret, as they will know when this paragraph meets their gaze. July 14, 1886 Shakopee Courier Last Sat. night, July 3, some parties broke two window lights in the Shakopee flag station, High trestle. Got in and kicked the stuffing out of the desk, left their supper on the floor and made a muss generally. The agent is a mild mannered, christian gentleman, who never did anyone harm and if they had been around next morning when he arrived he would have given them a father's blessing. Aug 12, 1886 Chaska Valley Herald A train on the M&St.L. R.R. was wrecked at this place on Sat. afternoon, doing but little damage however. It seems that the engine had pushed a number of cars on the main track, while the engine started back to run up the side track, but before fully reaching the same, the cars came on the engine striking her in the side, partially throwing her from the track. The brakes were not set on the cars backed upon the main track, hence the accident. Sept 8, 1886 Shakopee Courier An elderly man named Chase, a peddler, was found dead under a M&St.L. R.R. bridge on Eden Prairie last Saturday. April 13, 1887 Scott Co. Argus Dierberger's "bus line" carried 33 passengers to and from the trestle last Saturday. It appears as if it paid the M&St.L. R.R. to build that little depot and open a ticket office at Shakopee station. June 15, 1887 Shakopee Courier During the big rain last evening, they had a washout over at the high trestle on the M&St.L. R.R., whereby their trains as also the Omaha, are running through Shakopee today. The wagon bridge below was washed away and several stays out of the central part of the trestle. Aug 4, 1887 Chaska Valley Herald Marshall Ehrmanntraut and a number of assistants, arresting 6 hard looking tramps, which were on the 10 o'clock freight on the M&St.L. R.R., on Thursday evening. They had attacked the conductor and brakeman on the Omaha train at a small station just below Hopkins the same evening, inflicting bad wounds on the brakeman. Sheriff DuToit kept them in jail until Sat. afternoon, when detective Austin of the Omaha came up after them. They were a hard lot and deserve to be sent over the road for a number of years. Sept 29, 1887 Chaska Valley Herald A lamp exploded in the gents waiting room in the St. Louis depot Sat. evening, setting the room on fire. Operator being the only person present had his hands full putting out the fire. As it is the room is badly charred. Oct 12, 1887 Scott Co. Argus A number of Shakopeeans drove over to Chaska last night to see the President and Mrs. Cleveland. A large crowd, headed by the Chaska band, awaited the stopping of the train at the railroad crossing and were rewarded by seeing both Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland. May 31, 1888 Chaska Valley Herald A vein of soft coal has been discovered on the line of the M&St.L. road near Jordan at a depth of 70 feet below the surface. The deposit is said to be extensive and a company has already been formed to continue explorations and open a mine as soon as practicable. July 11, 1888 Shakopee Courier A new railroad line has been surveyed within 15 feet of the right of way of the M&St.L. opposite Shakopee. A party of 16 surveyors being now encamped at Reimer's place. The new road starts from New Ulm, passing Merriam Jct, Chaska, ect., and is called the "St. Paul, New Ulm & Southwestern." July 18, 1888 Shakopee Courier Killed on the line of the M&St.L. R.R., Sunday evening last between Riley's lake and Eden Prairie, Edward Breddy. Engineer of the passenger train saw something lying on the track and blew his whistle but didn't succeed in stopping until part of the pilot had passed over the body. Deceased was about 25 years of age and through the day had been at the lake with some of his friends. He was employed on the same section where killed and is supposed to have a sister at Wayzeta and other friends in Iowa. July 20, 1888 Scott Co. Argus Edward Breddy, a section hand on the M&St.L. at Washburn, was run over by a passenger train Sunday near Riley's lake and instantly killed. It is said he was under the influence of liquor and went to sleep on the track. June 14, 1889 Shakopee Courier We are informed by Mr. Tuck, agent of the company at the high trestle that the M&St.L. R.R. have put in new timbers at the upper trestle near his house and have repaired the foundation of the "High Trestle" opposite Shakopee. Nov 22, 1889 Shakopee Courier Died- William Lagyow, while working on "Walsh's Section" of the St. Louis railway, near the high trestle, on Thursday, 14th, suddenly dropped dead. The coroner came from Mpls. and pronounced heart disease. He was 24 years old and leaves a young wife and child. Was buried from the Luthern church, Shakopee, on Saturday. July 24, 1890 Chaska Valley Herald The morning train on the St. Louis road on Monday morning, jumped the track just the other side of the summit, without hurting anybody and doing no damage beyond delaying the train a few hours. Oct 10, 1890 Shakopee Courier The work on the new Shakopee high trestle is rapidly advancing, it being now about half finished. About 25 men are at work thereon. Nov 14, 1890 Shakopee Courier On Wednesday evening, two freights collided near Eden Prairie on the M&St.L., whereby the mails were delayed and the M&St.L. north bound had to take the Omaha via Shakopee. Sept 10, 1891 Scott Co. Argus Chas. Peterson, a brakeman on the Omaha freight that goes from Merriam Jct. over the M&St.L. road to the cities, fell between the cars just after the train pulled out of Carver last night, about 10 o'clock and had his left arm run over. The train had nearly reached Chaska before he was missed. It went back and the injured man was taken to the Jct. and about 3 o'clock this morning was brought here on the engine and his arm amputated just below the elbow by Dr.'s Dunn and Smith. Oct 15, 1891 Scott Co. Argus A large number of persons from town went across the river Sunday to view the wreck on the M&St.L. road which occurred about 4 o'clock in the morning between an Omaha freight running over that line from Mpls. and an M&St.L. freight going to the city. The M&St.L. train going in had orders to meet at Summit siding (near Riley's lake) and the other train was ordered to meet at Chaska. They met between the two points with fatal results to the fireman of the M&St.L. engine. The engineer and a brakesman of the St. Louis train jumped and called to the fireman to do so. He was too late and was caught between the tender and the cab and crushed to death. The engineer and fireman of the Omaha both jumped and were practically uninjured. The wreck occurred on the heavy grade between the two high trestles and owing to the slow speed of the two trains, was not a very serious to rollingstock. The two engines were interlocked but only partially left the rails and though two cars were telescoped, they were not thrown from the track. The railroad was clearing by evening. Oct 15, 1891 Shakopee Courier -Special to the Globe, Shakopee, Minn., Oct 11. A head end collision occurred this morning at 4 o'clock on the M&St.L. road north of this city between an Omaha and a M&St.L. freight. Fireman Thos. Rogers of Albert Lea was killed , being wedged between the cab and the tender. The engineers and other fireman saved their lives by jumping. Both engines are badly stove up and the tenders of the engines are crushed through the first freight cars. The engineer of the Omaha claims that his orders were to run to Chaska and the engineer of the Mpls., that he was to run to the Summit, a mile east of the accident, therefore, they both seem too be blameless. Oct 15, 1891 Chaska Valley Herald A serious collision occurred on Sunday morning on the summit four miles from town on the M&St.L road, between an Omaha and a St. Louis freight, which essayed the difficult task of passing each other while going in opposite directions. Fireman Thomas Rogers of Albert Lea of the St. Louis train was killed being wedged between the cab and the tender. the other train men saved themselves by jumping. Both engines and tenders are badly stove up. The accident is said to be a blunder by the train dispatcher which ordered one train side track at Chaska and the other at the summit. For some reason only known to the Railroad Co., the body was sent to Albert Lea, before an inquest could be held. What the result may be we do not know. May 12, 1892 Chaska Valley Herald The work of putting down steel rails on the M&St.L. R.R., has been commenced on the line north of here. June 2, 1892 Shakopee Courier A fatal accident occurred at Merriam Jct. last Friday, whereby a Swede named Nelson of Carver was killed outright by the train, supposed to have backed down on him. Nov 24, 1892 Scott Co. Argus An unknown Swede was run over by a freight Tuesday night at Merriam Jct. He was instantly killed and his body horribly mutilated. Cororner Hirsher was summoned and after hearing that the man was intoxicated and deliberately walked between the moving freight cars, decided an inquest was unnecessary. Pieces of the body were scattered along the track for a half mile. The remains were interred in the Valley cemetery. Jan 19, 1893 Shakopee Courier Joseph E. Smith, brother of A.H. Smith the genial M&St.L. high trestle agent was married on Tuesday at Albert Lea and will reside in Morris. Nov 2, 1893 Scott Co. Argus A southbound freight train was wrecked at 4:10 yesterday morning on the St.Louis road, just opposite the town. The cause of the accident is unknown but the effect is quite visible, even from town. Nineteen cars lie at the bottom of a twenty foot embankment in a picturesque but unprofitable heap. Fortunately for the company all the wrecked cars were "empties" so that the loss amounts to only the cost of of 18 cars that are totally wrecked. No one was hurt. The long train broke near the front end and a brakeman who was on top of the cars toward the rear narrowly escaped with his life. The cars broke down the telegraph wires and it was 8 o'clock before a wrecking train put in an appearance. The track was cleared before noon. Joseph Weber was the conductor of the wrecked train and James Donavin, the engineer. Weber was in headend collision that occurred at the same spot two years ago, when a fireman was killed. The track at this point is one of the best ballasted and ironed pieces on the road. The fault probably lay with one of the box cars. The regular St. Louis trains were run over the Omaha from Merriam Jct. until the track was cleared. Nov 9, 1893 Chaska Valley Herald (Minn News) There was a wreck on the St. Louis road opposite Shakopee. A freight car jumped the track, seventeen other cars all empty, following. The cars were badly broken and the loss will be heavy. The engine was not damaged and none of the train crew were injured. Nov 16, 1893 Scott Co. Argus A work train on the St. Louis deposited several carloads of cinders at the scene of last weeks wreck, just before dark yesterday and this caused the report to spread that another wreck had occurred at the same place. The heavy grade and sharp curve at this point will naturally cause the empty box cars to hop off the track, so that a wreck is not unexpected at any time. We would suggest that at a cost of a few box cars the road might up it's track and run it across to this point without any curve. The increase in traffic from this place would pay for the work within a few years. Apr 5, 1894 Scott Co. Argus Some three weeks ago Atty. Chas. G. Hinds had the occasion to use the M&St.L. R.R. from Eden Prairie to the Shakopee high trestle. He applied at Eden Prairie station for a ticket but through the fault of some clerk who had refused to send a new supply of tickets before the first of the month, there were none on sale. On the train when Mr. Hinds tendered the conductor 12 cents, the regular fare, the conductor demanded 22 cents. This sum Mr. Hinds paid, under protest, rather than walk the remaining 80 rods to the station. He brought suit against the road to recover the 10 cents overcharge and the case which was tried before Justice of the Peace Geo. M. Gibbs at Eden Prairie last Saturday, resulted in a judgment for the plaintiff for the 10 cents and several dollars cost. July 26, 1894 Scott Co. Argus One local reminder of the recent strike and subsequent troubles is found in the squad of armed men in camp near the high trestle. They are there guarding the two trestles against the work of fire bugs. A rumor was current the fore part of the week that an attempt had been made to burn the high trestle, but it could not be corroborated. Sept 12, 1895 Scott Co. Argus Mr. M. Maher, a member of the repair gang of the M&St.L. R.R. has been appointed agent at Shakopee station and took charge on the 1st of Sept., in place of A.H. Smith, removed. Mr. Maher has moved down to his field of labor. Nov 7, 1895 Chaska Valley Herald M&St.L. R.R.- Chas. Wanzer, assistant engineer and surveyor on Col. Crooks staff arrived here Monday with a full crew of assistants and commenced the preliminary survey of lines between here and Lake Minnetonka, intending, if possible to strike the Pacific division line somewhere near Zumbra. The work is all preliminary and several routes will be surveyed before any conclusion is reached. Nov 14, 1895 Scott Co. Argus Ten or a dozen men are engaged this week surveying lines for the proposed change in the M&St.L. R.R. tracks between Mpls and Chaska. One of the lines run out follows the north bank of the river after leaving the uplands of Eden Prairie and almost touches the Shakopee draw bridge. Another line runs from Excelsior to Chaska, which would leave Shakopee out in the could. It seems that the "St. Louis" has fully decided to make a change. The heavy grade and expensive trestles opposite Shakopee are to be thrown overboard. The best engine cannot stand the strain of such a grade for many years and the cost of keeping the trestles in repair and constantly guarded is too heavy. Various rumors are rife as to the change. President W.N. Bull of the M&St.L., in an interview in the Journal says: "You ask about that piece of track to be run from Chaska to Lake Minnetonka. We have decided nothing as yet, although I believe engineers are working over possible routes. It's a question of grades with us. Between here and Chaska are some very stiff inclines and addition, there is some very expensive trestle work which requires considerable attention. If a new roadway is selected, both of these will be avoided. Further, our Minnetonka service could greatly be improved by running regular trains via Excelsior. Just whether the grade from Excelsior to Chaska can be made an improvement on the present one is a question. There seems little doubt but that a light grade could be obtained through the low bluffs a few miles down the river and this is one of the plans proposed. There is also a report that the "Omaha" might use the abandoned "St. Louis" track in order to make St. Paul a terminal point for their through trains, should the proposed track from Excelsior to Chaska be built. Just why the "Omaha" should take up with a piece of track thrown away at great cost by the "St.Louis" removal, the "Omaha" might build its own tracks from Shakopee to Mpls., as was intended in the first place, their old charter reading "from St. Anthony to Shakopee" The expensive steel bridges which the law now requires will be quite a factor in any one of the possible changes. Nov 21, 1895 Scott Co. Argus Henry M. Reis has been appointed ticket agent for the M&St.L. at the Shakopee high trestle. he will carry on this new business in connection with the bus line of Reis Bros., driving over in time to open the station and dispose of the bits of pasteboard before the trains arrive. He will have the privilege of selling coupon tickets to any points tributary to the "St. Louis". Whether or not he can secure "passes" for any and all of his many friends is not announced, but we presume the matter has already been tested and will continue to be 4 or 5 times a day from now on. The ticket agent business is about the only thing that can effectually kill his well known smile and bring a hunted look upon his old time open countenance. Mar 12, 1896 Scott Co. Argus The two year old child of Ernest Bezeman of Chaska was put on the 6:30 passenger train of the M&St.L. last night by some brute and was discovered in the rear coach by the conductor on reaching Shakopee high trestle. The terror stricken baby was taken off there and returned to it's parents by means of a hand car. If intended as a joke the fiend who did the act ought to be flayed alive in continuance of the humorous part of the affair. Mar 19, 1896 Chaska Valley Herald Little Fritze, the 3 year old son of Ernest Beseman of this city, a chip off the old block in every respect, boarded the northern bound passenger train of the M&St.L. last friday evening and was discovered by the conductor sitting on the rear platform of the last coach just before the train reached the Shakopee trestle. He was taken off there and returned home by means of a hand car, none the worse for his experience. Nov 26, 1896 Scott Co. Argus An injury to the locomotive of the north bound M&St.L. passenger at Jordan, Tuesday morning, delayed the train 3 hours. Mrs. Peck and Miss Mabel were deterred from a trip cityward by the accident. Jan 7, 1897 Scott Co. Argus The report went over the telephone Tuesday that there was a head-end collision between a freight and a passenger train on the St. Louis road about 4 miles beyond Jordan that day. No one was hurt, but the two engines were damaged, the report had it. Jan 14, 1897 Scott Co. Argus The M&St.L. passenger went through on the Omaha tracks this morning, owing to a freight wreck near Chaska. Jan 21, 1897 Chaska Valley Herald There were two wrecks on the M&St.L. R.R. last week, one north of us near the summit and the other south delaying the trains and travel in both directions. Tim Keohen, the efficient section boss of the M&St.L. road, had his hands full keeping the track free from snow blockades last Sunday and Monday. Tim is a hustler however and keeps ahead of the weather bureau. Jan 28, 1897 Scott Co. Argus An empty car received here last Thursday to convey a load of rye shipped by Eden Prairie farmers was found packed with drifted snow to the depth of a foot or more. The work of shoveling it out took considerable time, as it was almost as solid as ice. Piled alongside the track it gave the impression that the weather man was engaged in shipping snow to Shakopee by rail to augment the efficient work of the winds and clouded skies. Apr 8, 1897 Scott Co. Argus Judging from appearances, for there is no direct communication except by sight or by boat, the M&St.L. track was washed out near the second high trestle on Tuesday. A work train spent several hours during the day dumping rock into the crevice. Apr 29, 1897 Scott Co. Argus By a peculiar and as yet unexplained accident, Michael Maher, for two years past a day watchman at the Shakopee high trestles, lost his life last Monday night. Maher lived with his wife and six children in the house standing at one end of the upper trestle. After dark Monday night he started from home for a trip to Chaska on his railway velocipede. He spent the evening there and set out for home at about 10 o'clock. At 10:30 o'clock a freight train half an hour late came tearing down the steep grade and at a point about midway between the trestle and Chaska the engineer saw a man sitting upon a veliopede apparently asleep. The engine struck the machine and threw it, in two parts, 30 feet from the track. On arriving at Chaska the engineer reported the accident and the section crew went out and picked up the body of the unfortunate Maher. It was found 30 feet from the track, but slightly mutilated. Death must have come instantly. At the point where the accident occurred the track is in sight for two miles, hence the accident is a peculiar one. Many well acquainted with the man hold to the suicide theory and mention peculiar remarks made late in his conversations. But the general opinion is that Maher had been drinking and fell asleep while pumping the car homebound. He was a member of the A.O.H. at Montgomery. Apr 29, 1897 Chaska Valley Herald Michael Maher, bridge tender at the Summitt, opposite Shakopee visited this city last Monday and before returning home on his railroad velocipede, filled up with booze, which resulted in his death. His body was found some 60 feet from where he collided with the railroad, the bruises and cuts about the head and mashed knee indicating instant death. From what we can learn we infer that he was asleep at the time of the collision. Dr. Hartly, the coroner, was called and had the body brought to Chaska. A post mortem examination was made by the coroner, but we have no report of the same. His remains were taken to Montgomery, Minn., for interment on the Wednesday forenoon train. We are informed that deceased left a wife and six children to mourn his death. F.A. Tuck of Mpls., son in law of Mr. John Brum of Chanhassen died at St. Barnabas hospital in that city, April 2nd, 1897. His death was the result of an operation of hernia. It will be remembered that Mr. Tuck was employed as station agent at the Shakopee high trestle some years ago and was favorably known in this city. Apr 30, 1897 Shakopee Tribune Michael Maher was killed by a freight train going west on the St. Louis road at half past ten Monday evening. It impossible to tell just how it happened that Maher did not leave the track when he could certainly have seen the train over a mile coming toward him, unless he had been sleeping on the velocipede on which he was riding. He leaves a wife and six children. the remains were taken to Montgomery for interment Wednesday. June 4, 1897 Shakopee Tribune Wm. Miller, formerly a resident of Shakopee, is now the nightwatchman at the high trestles on the M&St.L. R.R. July 29, 1897 Scott Co. Argus A young man from Helena took passage for Mpls. on the M&St.L. last Tuesday and it was soon discovered he was violently insane. He was put off the train at the Shakopee station and taken in charge by Sheriff Hilgers. His relatives were sent for, but at last reports had not arrived. If they do not object the unfortunate will be examined and committed to the asylum at St. Peter. July 22, 1898 Shakopee Tribune H.M. Reis resigned the agency for the M&St.L. station here last Tuesday and present passengers will have to pay their fare on the trains. It is expected the company will appoint another agent soon. Nov 10, 1898 Scott Co. Argus (Minn News) Charles T. Bristol, a brakeman on the St. Louis road, was fatally crushed between the bumper of two cars at Hopkins, dying a few hours later. June 8, 1899 Scott Co. Argus E.C. Wolf, employed as a cook at the quarters of the construction crew of the Omaha road at Merriam Jct., fell through the railroad bridge at Carver one night last week while trying to get out of the way of an oncoming train. the night was dark and the bridge is unusually long one. Wolff had reached a point over the river when he fell through and as he was hurt about the head in striking against the timbers of the bridge, he went to the bottom. Nothing but the prompt action of friends saved him from death and as it is was his injuries were so severe that his life was despaired of for a time. Dr. Hartley pulled him through, however, and he was about Shakopee, Monday, with his head swathed to the eyes in bandages. the young man lives in Mankato. June 15, 1899 Chaska Valley Herald We are informed that a corps of surveyors connected with the M&St.L. R.R., were at work last week, running a new line north of the present track, starting at Mr. Wm. Melcherts farm, passing through the hay meadow of Mike Hall and climbing the bluff gradually over Schwie's and Rademacher's farm, striking the road again near Riley's lake. The survey is made to avoid the heavy grade of the present line. Should a feasible route be found the work of grading will be commenced as soon as the right of way has been obtained. We will know in a short time. Sept 14, 1899 Scott Co. Argus (Minn News) An unknown woman was killed by an M&St.L. way freight train near Eden Prairie. She called at the home of S.F. Miller, postmaster of the village and ask for a drink of water. She was given the drink of water and then she started down the railroad track. She had gone towards Mpls. about a mile and a half when she reached a long trestle bridge across which was coming a freight. She started to step off the track but was too late and the engine knocked her down. her head was badly crushed, both legs were cut off and her entire body was horribly mangled. The engine carried her some forty feet. Mar 2, 1900 Shakopee Tribune Early yesterday morning the roof of the M&St.L. R.R. station house was on fire. Night watchman Wm. Mueller was on the inside and only noticed the fire when he went out to meet an early freight. With the assistance of Rudolph Teich, however, he succeeded in extinguishing the flames which had by that time already found their was to the inside. Apr 27, 1900 Shakopee Tribune Wm. Mueller resigned his position a night watchman at the M&St.L. station after 3 years in the service, last Monday. He is now employed by contractor Joseph Fischer but intends to move his family and household effects to Mpls. in the near future. John Reimer has accepted the position as nightwatch at the M&St.L. trestle. Sept 21, 1900 Shakopee Tribune About 30 men are engaged in repairing the M&St.L. R.R. high trestle near this city. Oct 25, 1901 Shakopee Tribune (Minn News) The M&St.L. is making a survey between Chaska and Eden Prairie and may change it's line between those points to avoid heavy grades. Dec 13, 1901 Shakopee Tribune Surveyors at work laying a new route for the M&St.L. R.R. along the bluffs across the river from this point. They will be engaged in their present work until the first of the year and it is probable that in the early spring the work of grading a new route will be begun. As the road runs now there is a heavy grade from the Summit siding to the bottom lands near Chaska and two high trestles are required. The new route will do away with the east trestle entirely, coming more directly south from Eden Prairie and out of the side of the bluff near Joseph Feltman's house. The new grade will be lowered all along this new route and will require no trestle work at the mouth of the big ravine. The line as surveyed runs through Adam Teich's pasture lands and just north of his house, crossing the high trestle, which will be lowered somewhat, and thence running further into the bluff on the north. The grade to the Chaska bottom lands will be raised by means of the new route into the bluff and this in connection with the longer ascent to prairie toward the east will provide a grade which will be comparatively easy. The project of a new route at this point has been considered for years past, but until now nothing has been done for the reason that expense involved in the change was greater than the improvement deemed worth. But the new route as now surveyed seems to solve the problem, doing away, as it does, with one of the expensive trestles and reducing the heavy grade to a very moderate per cent. Years ago there was talk of getting the road to touch the city limits by coming out of the bluffs near Mr. Feldtman's and crossing the bottom lans which lie between the bluff and the river; but this seems to be impracticable. the new route will at least bring the track into plainer view and for a mile or more additional in extent, so that we "can sit on the fence and see the trains go by", even if we can enjoy no closer relations with the road as at present siuated. Dec 19, 1901 Chaska Valley Herald Same as Shakopee Tribune's Dec 13th article. Jan 3, 1902 Shakopee Tribune Messrs. Jacob Ries and Herman Schroeder, who have been looking after the interests of the city in the event of a change of route by the M&St.L. R.R. next spring, have received word from the company that, while no change has yet been determined on, the railway company will weigh well the matter of getting closer to the city and the providing of a depot and sidetracks here. It is to be hoped that the change in the track will be made and that a line can be brought much closer to the city. In any event, the route recently surveyed would do away with the hill climbing and permit the building of a freight depot at a nearer point than the present stopping place. Shakopee has always had a very friendly feeling for the M&St.L., despite the chill of a ride of over a mile to the station; and up to three years ago, when the Omaha passenger service was so splendidly increased as to give four trains a day each way and at varied hours of the day. There was a considerable passenger traffic on the St. Louis. If there were freight as well as passenger accommodations the patronage from Shakopee would be quite a prize. The town is of vastly greater importance now as a manufacturing point than it was when the St. Louis was built. The freight charges paid at the Milwaukee and Omaha stations exceed a quarter of a million dollars annually. Mar 21, 1902 Shakopee Tribune (Minn News) The Milwaukee depot at Hopkins was destroyed by fire. Apr 17, 1902 Scott Co. Argus The M&St.L. road is going to spend in the neighborhood of $400,000 on its tracks and right of way between Hopkins and Chaska. An expenditure of so large an amount must be the laying out of a new track. Apr 18, 1902 Shakopee Tribune The Mpls. Times is authority for the statement that the St. Louis road will spend $400,000 in improving its track between Hopkins and Chaska this summer. This means a new track along the bluffs opposite this city and the plan will no doubt be to get the tracks along the foot of the bluff at Teich's, where a freight and passenger depot will be built and traffic from Shakopee resumed. This is good news for Shakopee. The Times also states that H.H. King & Co., whose feed mill at Jordan was burned last week, have determined not to rebuild there, but will put about $70,000 into a new mill at Mpls. For the sake of Jordan we regret very much to hear this, although that city has enough energy, no doubt, to open another door where this one was closed. May 2, 1902 Shakopee Tribune A crew of 9 surveyors is present stopping at the John Goodrich home on Eden Prairie, and making some additional changes in the new route for the M&St.L. tracks between Hopkins and Chaska. The new route will bring the tracks 1200 feet north of the present high trestle and on this side of Adam Teich's residence. The track bed will be brought down to such a level that a station and wagon approaches will be made there and Shakopee shippers will thus be accommodated. The work has begun on the new track and 16 teams are now on the scene. A crew of 400 men will be soon be at work. Oct 2, 1902 Scott Co. Argus J.J. Sisterman, of Belle Plaine, who is employed by the M&St.L. across the river, met with a peculiar accident on Tuesday, while heating coffee for his dinner in a covered pail, the cover blew off and his face was severely scalded. Oct 3, 1902 Shakopee Tribune J.J. Sistermans of Belle Plaine, one of the men at work on the new line of the M&St.L. track, was seriously injured about the face on Tuesday, in a peculiar manner. At the noon lunch hour, he made some hot coffee as is the custom with the hundreds of men at work there and was boiling it in a pail with the cover tightly in place. Just as he leaned over the fire to take a look at the contents of the pail, the steam blew the cover and some of the hot coffee up into his face. His entire face scalded badly and Dr. Reiter found it necessary, in dressing the injury, to swathe his whole head in white linen bandages. With holes cut for the eyes and a slit for the mouth, Mr. Sistermans presents an odd sight and one that would make cold chills run down a person's back if he met up with the masked gentleman late at night. If the doctor were only as good an artist as he is a surgeon, he could do well to paint up the expressionless cloth face of Mr. Sistermans into a brown eyed gentleman with a pleased smile. Oct 16, 1902 Scott Co. Argus An accident on the high trestle of the M&St.L. R.R. just north of this city this morning came very near causing the instant death of Daniel Duchanne of Mpls. Mr. Duchanne was riding on the foot board at the rear of the dilapidated switch engine which was backing on to the high trestle to couple onto a train, when the engine lost control of the engine and it dashed into the car at top speed, crushing in the rear end of the tender of the engine and also the car and catching Mr. Duchanne in the wreck, as he could not get out of the way, for a jump from the trestle to the ground 95 feet below meant instant death and it was almost a miracle that he escaped with a compound fracture of the hip and several serious bruises. Dr. Fischer was immediately called and pronounces the injuries not necessarily fatal. Oct 17, 1902 Shakopee Tribune The first accident to the army of workmen on the M&St.L. track across the river came yesterday, when a switchman, riding on the rear of an old dilapidated engine was crushed between the engine and a car and had his hip broken and his body badly bruised. Dr. Fisher attended the man and he was taken to Mpls. this morning for hospital care. The cause of the accident was peculiar. The engine became unmanageable just as it was crossing the high trestle and the brakeman had to remain and collide with the car or jump 95 feet to almost certain death below. His name is Dan Duchane. Oct 24, 1902 Shakopee Tribune Last Saturday Mayor James McHale, Alderman H.P. Marx and John B. Ries and Messrs. Theodore Weiland and John Theim of the Commercial club drove over to the high trestle, where the long hoped for change in the road up the "Vogel Hill" is about to be effected. They met there Messrs. Charles Buchkowski, Bernard Kessler and Peter Moltke, the town board of Chanhassen and also the engineer for the M&St.L. R.R. and were able to further the plans for the new road to such an extent that the change is sure to be made early next spring, at the latest. The long steep hill as the road now runs is almost too dangerous for travel and heavy loads cannot be hauled over it. The history of the hill contains quite a chapter of accidents and much valuable trade for Shakopee has been cut off owing to the dislike the residents over that way for traveling up and down its steep incline. A new road has been laid out ready for grading, which cuts off at least twenty feet of ascent and make the grade very much easier. It follows the present road to the trestle and then cuts through the hill to the left, reaching a ravine that leads by a little longer route to the high ground above. Properly graded, the new road will be easily traveled and the business of that fertile section of country will be open to Shakopee. The work upon the new route of the M&St.L. tracks at this time makes the plan of the change in the wagon road all the more feasible just now, because the R.R. Co. will take all the dirt from the cut through the hill and be glad to do the grading for the dirt, which they will need in the enormous fill to be made where the high trestle now stands. This will reduce the cost of building a new road to a minimum and Shakopee will contribute $250 and the town of Chanhassen enough more to complete the work. The road would be built at once, but for the fact that the railroad company is not yet ready to use the dirt and will not commence grading until next spring. Everyone who uses the road and the business men of Shakopee especially will rejoice to know that the new road is to be built so soon and in such an advantageous way for all concerned and a good deal of credit is due to the citizens who have taken so deep an interest in the plan, and furthered it at the cost of their time and expense. Nov 20, 1902 Chaska Valley Herald Work trains on the M&St.L. road, engaged in work on the new track east of here, now make this city their stopping place. It helps many of our business houses. Christ Nygren, formerly freight conductor on the M&St.L., son-in-law of Jake Ottinger, has moved with his family to this city to make it his future home. It will be remembered that Mr. Nygren, lost an arm in an accident on the road. The Co. has settled with him in a manner satisfactory to Mr. N., glad to welcome him here. The M&St.L. R.R. Co. have recently installed a new train on their road running from the Twin Cities to Chicago, over the Albert Lea route. It is the finest of its kind we have ever seen or rode on and it is a pride to the Co. The "North Star Limited", as the new train is called, is the acme of perfection turned out of the Pullman shops and in detail of construction is superb. The decorations of the interior possess the highest type of finish and show off splendidly. There are finely finished day coaches for those who do not use a sleeper, fine combination compartment and sectional sleeping cars, a buffet and library car, with its large lounging room, which is stocked with a goodly assortment of periodicals. Also card tables are provided for those who wish to play. The train is entirely lighted by gas and shows off splendidly. This train is as good as any now running on any line and the time made from the cities to Chicago, equals the best. The Co. has also spent a half a million dollars the past year in straighting curves, reducing grades and balasting the road bed between here and Mpls. Dec 18, 1902 Scott Co. Argus The gang of darkies employed the construction of the cement arches across the river finished the work there and broke camp Monday. They have gone to Missouri. Dec 19, 1902 Shakopee Tribune The remnant of the camp of colored people who have been at work on the M&St.L. R.R. Co.'s vast improvements in the road across the river took their departure Tuesday evening for their Missouri homes near Hannibal. Shakopee will miss the jolly, light-hearted gang, whose custom it has been to over in numbers every Saturday night and Sunday and sometimes of a pleasant evening during the week. The darkies were cleanly and orderly, had money to spend, but spent freely rather than recklessly and the town will look forward to their return in the spring, when the work will be resumed and continue for at least another year. The colored camp was in the ravine under the high trestle and the scenes presented of an evening, when the days work was done and the beautiful spot was lit by the full moon, the darkies out in front of the long cabin playing banjoes and guitars, singing and dancing with peculiar amble and sinuous grace of the black race, were distinctly southern. Those who came to know something of the colored contingent will be pleased to learn that Minnesota skies and other charms of environment are favorable to Cupid's attacks on the southern negro as are the sunbaked plains of the south. Last Sunday Judge N. Meyer united in marriage Mr. Walter Humphrey and Miss Vina Taylor, both members of the camp the past summer. Jan 22, 1903 Chaska Valley Herald A dilapidated engine and a crushed caboose was the result of a collision on the M&St.L. tracks opposite the power house, Tuesday morning. The accident occurred while switching and the scattered debris and mutilated engine and car kept the 10:20 passenger here until 11:15. Feb 6, 1903 Shakopee Tribune John Lundberg has the contract to for a number of bridges on the M&St.L. R.R. which are to be built this coming summer and he already has a force of thirty men at work in the quarries. He is also the man who built the Shakopee draw bridge 25 years ago. Mar 19, 1903 Chaska Valley Herald Several of our young men left Monday to work for the Walsh Construction Co. at Eden Prairie. Mar 13, 1903 Shakopee Tribune Work on the trestles across the river has been progressing all winter, the steam shovels having been kept busy through the coldest weather and now the work is to begun in earnest with a large crew of workman again. Since the drying up of the roads the trestles have been a favorite spot for those with leisure for sight-seeing and numbers of carriages and foot travelers make the journey to see the gigantic work in progress. Apr 10, 1903 Shakopee Tribune Messrs. Jacob Ries and Herman Schroeder went to Chanhassen the other day to meet the town board an discuss matters relative to the new ravine road which it is hoped will this years do away with the trestle hill road. The matter of the proposed change and the opportunity which is presented right now, while the M&St.L. R.R. is anxious to remove the dirt for the use of it, has been fully set forth in the tribune columns and it is to be hoped that nothing will be allowed to come in the way of the change being made this year. Aside from the advantages which Shakopee would enjoy in increased trade from the section of country penetrated by the trestle hill road, it would be a matter for congratulation in general as removing a hill that is a constant menace to the safety of the traveling public. May 1, 1903 Shakopee Tribune The baseball game advertised for last Sunday at Athletic park between the Corals and the Eden Prairie railway camp did not materialize, for the reason that the railway campers could not get away from their work. June 11, 1903 Chaska Valley Herald George Randall, a brakeman on the M&St.L R.R., was killed Tuesday in a railroad accident at Eden Prairie, Hennepin Co. His body was brought into this city and is now in the county morgue awaiting action on the part of the relatives. Randell was doing switching work when he was thrown under the wheels in some manner. Trainmen did not see the accident when it happened, but Randall's mangled body was found soon afterwards.-Mpls. Tribune June 11, 1903 Scott Co. Argus A man named Ransom. employed on the St. Louis road over at the trestle was accidentally killed Tuesday morning. He was a brakeman and while at work, slipped and fell under the wheels, receiving fatal injuries. The remains were taken to Mpls. June 12, 1903 Shakopee Tribune The first fatal accident on the work of filling the trestles across the river, where hundreds of men have been employed for a year past occurred Tuesday morning, when a brakeman named Ransom fell under the wheels of a moving train and was literally cut in two, dying instantly. the remains were taken to Mpls., his home. June 19, 1903 Shakopee Tribune (Minn News) George Randall, a brakeman on the M&St.L. R.R., was killed in a railroad accident at Eden Prairie, Hennepin Co. June 26, 1903 Shakopee Tribune Last Monday the last obstacle in the way of the construction of the new road up the trestle hill, which the Tribune has been fostering for nearly a year, was removed, and the work has already begun. Adam Teich gave a deed that day to be used in the new road for a consideration of $200, and nothing now remains but to cut through the bluff and open the road. The advantages of the new road need not be reviewed further in these columns. The road will follow its present course up to the hill to the culvert under the railway track and from there will cut directly through the bluff to the west of north and approach the present road a half a mile further on through the ravine. The new road will be somewhat longer and the rise is made less by avoiding the crest of the , so that the grade will be easy compared with the present hill road. It will be possible to haul loads up and down the new hill road and the element of danger to public travel will be greatly reduced, so that a new territory is opened up for Shakopee tradespeople. the construction of the new road has been desired by both the people of Chanhassen and Shakopee for many years past and the authorities of both towns were anxious to see it brought about; but it was not until the M&St.L. R.R. Co. in its gigantic work on the new route along the bluffs offered to do the work for the use of the dirt that was found within their means. Shakopee contributed $250 and Chanhassen a like amount and the road is to be built at no further cost to the public. About 40 negroes from Missouri are again at work on the M&St.L. railway across the river, in addition to the large number of men who have been at work nearly the year round and the fills which take the place of the two high trestles are nearly up to grade, while the new route along the bluffs and through the bottom lands to Chaska is nearing completion. Hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of dirt have been taken from the bluffs and carried into the ravines and along the bottomlands for two miles or more. The fills which replace the high trestles are nearly a hundred feet high and over three hundred feet wide at the base, while the grade has been raised from ten to twenty feet along the entire course. The alterations between Eden Prairie and Chaska will cost the St. Louis road between three and four million dollars and dozens of Shakopee laboring men are beneficiaries at $1.75 to $2.00 a day for ordinary labor. The gigantic work is of course spectacular and dozens of Shakopee people visit the scene of the operations daily. July 2, 1903 Scott Co. Argus A careless member of the construction crew employed at the trestle left the gate of the Teich pasture open Monday night and Adam Teich morns the loss of a finely matched team of young horses, in consequence. The animals strayed onto the railroad tracks and were run down and killed by an M&St.L. train. July 3, 1903 Shakopee Tribune Last Monday five colts belonging to Adam Teich got out the pasture and two of them were struck and killed by an M&St.L. train. The animals were two-year olds and valued highly by their unlucky owner. This week another crew of darkies arrived from Missouri, increasing the colored gang of laborers at work on the M&St.L. railway track improvements across the river to nearly eighty. The jolly negroes have some of them been around the country and already two acquaintances have been discovered. Photographer Jones and one darky had been well acquainted in some Missouri town years ago and Thomas Pinches and another darky were old friends when the former was a miller and the latter a barber in the Black hills of South Dakota. July 23, 1903 Scott Co. Argus The work of rebuilding the M&St.L. R.R. track between this city and Hopkins has made rapid strides during the past two weeks of pleasant weather and from present indications it may be inferred that the new track will be completed and utilized in advance of freezing weather. the outlay for the improvements will be close to $3,000,000, but the benefit derived from them by the company will be well worth the investment.- Chaska Valley Herald July 30, 1903 Scott Co. Argus Work has been finished on the new roadbed of the M&St.L. across the river, the high trestles are filled in and the finishing up of the work on the grade below the trestles is expected to be completed and the tracks laid and ready to use by the time the snow flies. The estimated cost of the completed job between Chaska and Hopkins approaches three million dollars. Aug 20, 1903 Scott Co. Argus Burglars entered the M&St.L. depot at Hopkins last Friday week and got away with $200 in cash. The robbery was perpetrated in broad daylight, at the noon hour, and while the agent and operator were away at dinner. No clue of the robbers has been found. Oct 8, 1903 Scott Co. Argus Last Friday and Saturday this vicinity was visited by the heaviest rainfall of the year, which has been one notable for the unusual amount of moisture which has fallen. Friday nights downpour was accompanied by an electrical display which filled with terror the timid and the sinful, but which did no damage nearer than Haskamp's farm south of town, where the dwelling house was struck by lighting and at Marystown where a horse belonging to Chris Schmitt was killed in the barn where it stood among several other horses, none of which were injured. Washouts on railroads were numerous, one at Chaska causing the wreck of a freight train on the M&St.L. In consequence their passenger trains were run through Shakopee on the Omaha road. The weather ever since has been cold, rainy and most disheartening to farmers striving to get their fall work in shape. No trains run on the H&D through here yesterday owing to a washout above Carver where two hundred tons of earth were deposited upon the tracks. The section men from went up yesterday to assist in removing the obstruction and trains are running as usual today. Oct 8, 1903 Chaska Valley Herald The north bound freight train No. 91, on the M&St.L tracks was wrecked in the western part of our city last Saturday morning at about 3 o'clock a.m. The scene of the wreck was almost midway between the Chaska creamery and Leivermann's crossing and was caused by a washout, the result of the terrific rainfall and the water rushing down the Brinkhaus hill, washing out the sand from below the ties and rails. Six cars ran off the track, three of which were completely wrecked. The engine, coal car and the first box car safely crossed this dangerous part of the track, but the second box car jumped the track and was followed by five others. The terrific rain had formed a rivulet north of the track and with the water rushing down the hill, something had to give and the track almost sunk into oblivity. Two cars contained oats, which was scattered about, also a load of empty beer kegs and eights. the wrecking train was at once dispatched for and arrived early Saturday morning and the work of reconstructing was begun. A temporary track was laid, but no trains passed over until Saturday evening at 10 o'clock. The work continued all Sunday and part of Monday and the track is now in pretty good shape. This is a very dangerous part of the track, as a terrific rain, such as fell Friday night is sure to fill up the ditch between the track and the hill and wash out the gravel and sand and when once running across the track will surely ditch it and cause a wreck. The damage is considerable, but we have not learned the exact amount. Oct 22, 1903 Sott Co. Argus Pat Rogers, foreman of Walsh's construction gang at work the past year on the M&St.L. across the river, left last night to take up similar work at Cedar Falls, Ia. A number of Shakopee boys who have been working on the new road here accompanied Mr. Rogers, among whom were Ed Spielmann, Christ Deller, Clyde Dean and Ben Baker. Oct 30, 1903 Shakopee Tribune William Reimer, who has been employed as watchman for the M&St.L. railway at the high trestle for several years past has accepted a position as engineer in a mill in Mpls. and moved his family to that city the fore part of the week. Nov 20, 1903 Shakopee Tribune The stupendous work of changing the M&St.L. R.R. track along the bluffs across the river is at last completed, after two years of effort and the first trains were run over the new track from Chaska to Eden Prairie last week. This change in the track from Hopkins to Chaska, a distance of 14 miles, is said to be the heaviest piece of railroad engineering in the state. There is a drop of 200 feet in the distance and this has been so distributed that there is no grade greater than 31 feet to the mile, as against 66 feet in the old track and the curves made necessary by following the bluff have been reduced from 24 to 6 in number. The two "High Trestles", which have been widely known as among the highest and the longest in the state have been done away with and instead are fills which cover over three hundred feet in width at the base, are nearly a hundred feet high and twenty feet wide across the top. Cement viaducts run underneath these and cement runways are substituted for roadways and cattlepaths all along the line. Everything has been put in permanent shape and at a cost of nearly four million dollars. The railway company makes the heavy investment believing that it will pay for itself in shortening the time schedule and doing away with the troubles of the past in getting heavy trains up the steep grade leading from the bottom lands to the heights of Eden Prairie. June 30, 1904 Chaska Valley Herald A terrible collision occurred opposite Yorkville Prairie on Tuesday evening at about six o'clock. During the raging storm engine No. 66 collided with the "extra" or work train No.10, resulting in the serious injury of O.B. Sigafoos of Excelsior, Ernest Bahr of Laketown, this county and C.C. Hewitt, fireman on No. 66; O.B. Sigafoos dieing at St. Barnabas hospital, Mpls., yesterday morning at 2:30 o'clock. Both engines were almost entirely demolished; the caboose of the work train after finishing the days work and running without orders, was on its way to Chaska to bring in the workman who board in this city. The conductor of the work train, knowing the local freight was about 2 1/2 hours late, thought he could get his train to this city before the freight train pulled out and his train was running pretty fast when coming down the grade from the high trestle and when just opposite the race track, the engineer noticed the local freight coming up the grade and that the distance between the two trains was very short and a collision was inevitable, at once shut down and he and the fireman jumped, thus saving their lives. Ahead of the engine the caboose was coupled and in this Sigafoos was seated. On account of the heavy rainstorm the oncoming train was not noticed until very close by and he then ran for the steps and had gained them but is was too late. Just as he jumped the trains collided, catching him and throwing him below the wheels of the engine, cutting off both of his feet, braking his arm and cutting a deep gash in his forehead. Ernest Bahr, another workman, sustained a severe fracture of the chest, but it is expected he will recover. The engineer on the local jumped in time, but the fireman, C.C. Hewitt could not get out and was caught in the collision, but in some accountable manner crawled out of the debris with only his collar bone broken. it is a miraculous escape from death. The injured men were removed to the residence of Wm. Heiman where Drs. Schober and Marshall were summoned and medical aid given them. About 10:30 in the evening they were taken to Mpls. on an extra. Sigafoos was taken to St. Barnabas hospital and died at 2 o'clock the following morning. C.C. Hewitt, the fireman, went to Asbury hospital, and his injuries are not necessarily fatal. Before being taken to the train to be removed to the hospital he asked that he be carried to the scene of the wreck and when shown the cab wherein he was confined, he exclaimed "Holy smoke, how did I ever get out of there alive?" Immediately after the collision the wrecking train was telegraphed for and arrived about 8 o'clock. It took all night to get the track cleared and the evening passengers ran over the Omaha tracks. Mr. O.B. Sigafoos, the dead man, was well known in this county. he resided in Excelsior. He is survived by a wife. Mr. Sigafoos was in the prime of his life and it is a sad misfortune. We have not heard any further developments. The injured man, Ernest Bahr, is of Waconia, and brother of Henry Bahr, a well known farmer of the same town. They were here Wednesday to see him and found that he was rapidly recovering. He will be moved home today. July 1, 1904 Shakopee Tribune During a heavy rain and hail storm last Tuesday at 6 o'clock a work train and a freight met in a head-on collision on the M&St.L. track about a mile this side of Chaska, resulting in the worst wreck in this vicinity in many years. The blame has not been fixed, so far as known, but one of the trains is said to have been running ahead of time and the heavy storm prevented the engineers from seeing their danger until too late to keep the trains from meeting at high speed. The work train consisted only of the engine and caboose and the wreck set the engine up on end and the caboose on top of the pile. One man, O.B. Sickerfuss of Excelsior, tried to jump from the caboose and fell beneath the wheels, which cut off both legs below the knee and Henry Hewitt, of Mpls., a fireman stuck to the engine and had his collarbone broken and suffered internal injuries. Sickerfuss was taken too a Mpls. hospital and died at 2 o'clock in the morning. Five others were more or less seriously injured. The passenger trains of the St. Louis were run over the Omaha line from Merriam Jct. until Wednesday morning, when the track was cleared and regular traffic was resumed. July 1, 1904 Scott Co. Argus During Tuesday nights rainstorm a freight train and the work train which has been running between Eden Prairie and Chaska collided near Chaska fatally injuring Osby V. Sigafoos of Excelsior and very seriously injuring Ernest Barr of Waconia and C.C. Hewitt, fireman of the local freight. They were taken to a Mpls. hospital where Mr. Sigafoos died of his injuries Wednesday morning at 2:30 o'clock. It appears that the accident was due to gross carelessness on the part of the work train people, who instead of waiting for the local freight to pass and which they knew to be overdue, started into Chaska in the storm trusting to luck to get there before the freight. The blinding rain prevented either engineer from seeing any distance and when the crash came, Sigafoos, who was sitting on the steps of the work train caboose which was being pushed ahead of the engine, fell under the wheels of the engine as the caboose was crushed to splinters between the two. Others on the car jumped in time to save themselves. While the wreck was being cleared away the M&St.L. trains were run through here on the Omaha. July 7, 1904 Chaska Valley Herald Osby V. Sigafoos of Excelsior, who was fatally injured in the collision on the M&St.L. R.R., reported in our last issue, was 53 years old and leaves a wife and three children. He was much respected and his death is deeply regretted. Fireman Hewitt who was seriously injured is slowly recovering at his home in Mpls. Ernest Bahr of Waconia, is rapidly recovering and his injuries were not as serious as first reported. He is at home and will soon be at work again. May 5, 1905 Shakopee Tribune Mr. and Mrs. John W. Beck entertained Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Panghorn of Eden Prairie, Sunday. Mr. Panghorn is depot agent for he St. Louis road at that station. Nov 9, 1905 Chaska Valley Herald The M&St.L. R.R. Co. last week completed the survey for the site for the new Carver Co. Sugar Factory and the work of grading for the immense line of sidetracks was let to Joseph Mergens of Deephaven, Minn. Mr. Mergens arrived here last Monday with his outfit and on Tuesday he put 10 teams to work and expects to increase his force within a few days and if nothing unforeseen happens he will have the entire line of grading for the sidetracks completed ready for laying ties and iron rails within two weeks time. A force of 40 men and 20 teams will be at work the latter part of the week and will hustle the work along as fast as possible. Mr. Mergens is an old hand at this kind of work and when he undertakes a job you can rest assured its a go. The officials of the M&St.L. Co. claim they will have the side tracks laid and engines running to the new site within a month or before the material for the foundation and building arrives here ready for the new industry of which the people of Chaska and the county feel so proud of. (Goes on to tell about how the St.Louis Park sugar factory burned, Ect.) Nov 16, 1905 Chaska Valley Herald Mr. Henry J. Miller, manager of the Carver County Sugar Co., left last Saturday evening for Ypsilanti, Mich., his home, and will go from there to East Tawas, to superintend the packing and removal of the plant to its home to be at Chaska. Mr. Miller in conversation with the Herald said that all machinery and goods would be shipped this fall that could be kept outdoors over the winter and of course the most delicate and intricate machinery would be held over in Mich. until next spring. The work of loading will begin this week and shortly the tracks of the M&St.L. will be lined with cars containing the machinery that will in future make Chaska famous. The work on the grading for the side tracks is coming along fine and Mr. Miller says that if the weather remains good he has hopes of starting the foundation this fall. We will have more to say anent the new enterprise in our next number. Nov 23, 1905 Chaska Valley Herald The Herald reporter on invitation from Mr. Fred C. Hicks last Tuesday afternoon drove down to the selected site for the new sugar factory, the industry that is to make Chaska famous and to say that we were agreeably surprised is putting it mildly.The grading has been all finished and it is certainly done up in right shape. The scene that met our gaze was one of activity-activity that means success. The railroad men were at work unloading rails, laying the same and the surveyors of which we noted about a half a dozen, were at work staking the site for the location of the buildings. (Goes on to talk about the buildings and site.) Dec 7, 1905 Chaska Valley Herald Article about the work begun on the sugar factory. Dec 21, 1905 Chaska Valley Herald Picture and article about sugar factory. June 14, 1906 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) The M&St.L. has a crew of men laying the new steel from Merriam to Chaska and they are at present side tracked here. J.B. Courtright of Minnesota "U." has charge of the boarding outfit. June 22, 1906 Scott Co. Argus The M&St.L. road is laying new track from Merriam to Chaska. The boarding car is in charge of J.B. Courtright a university student. June 28, 1906 Chaska Valley Herald (Carver Items) The extra gang finished laying the 80 lb. steel for the M&St.L. and have gone to Chaska where they are engaged in a like vocation. Sept 27, 1906 Chaska Valley Herald Big Headlines: Passenger Wrecked, Fatal Railroad Wreck at New Prague, Monday Morning, Four Killed, Large Number Injured, Both Engines and Two Coaches Are Entirely Demolished. A fearful railroad wreck in which four men lost their lives and many were injured, happened at New Prague last Monday morning. The south bound passenger on the M&St.L. road, ran into a freight engine and tender and both engines were entirely demolished. A party of men were playing cards in the smoking car when the crash came and three of them were hurled into eternity without a moments warning. The other fatality was that of young Wrabeck, who happened to be on the tender of the freight. The passenger was just drawing into New Prague and was running pretty fast, being 7 minutes late and in rounding the curve the engineer espied a freight on the main track, but it was too late to stop and the engine crew jumped in time to escape death. A very large number of persons were injured in the collision and some seriously. As to who was to blame for the catastrophe, we have not learned but it surely is one of the most serious in the annals of railroad history. The citizens of New Prague, did heroic rescue work and everything possible was done to relieve the suffering. Both engines, baggage car and smoking car were demolished in the wreck. Sept 28, 1906 Scott Co. Argus Big Headlines: Five Killed; A Score or More Injured in a Terrible Wreck in New Prauge. Freight Engine and Passenger Train Crash Monday. Crashing Timbers Cur Short the Lives of Three Men While Playing Cards in the Smoking Car. Herman Boehmer one of Shakopee's Citizens Among Injured. Five killed, many others more or less seriously injured, two engines put out of commission and several cars broken to splinters, tells the gruesome story of what is said to be the worst wreck in the history of the M&St.L. R.R. On last Monday morning the ill fated local passenger train bound from Mpls. to points in Iowa crashed into the engine of a freight train that was doing some switching on the main track about one block north of the New Prague depot. The passenger train was supposed to have a clear track to its usual stopping position and being about 15 minutes behind time was pulling into the depot at a pretty high rate of speed, supposedly at the rate of 30 miles an hour. There is a sharp turn in the roadbed not far from the station and a small elevation of ground obstructing the engineers view, he was unable to see whether the track ahead of him was clear or not and before he could get control of his train they were upon the freight train and the awful crash mentioned above was the result. The awful impetus of the heavy passenger against the freight engine threw the engine of the former back upon the baggage and express cars as a result the smoking car was telescoped from end to end. It was the smoking car that the four men were killed, three of which were traveling men, while playing a game of cards and the marvel is that more of the passengers did not meet with a like fate. The men who lost their lives in the fatal wreck are: D.D. DeMarais of Mpls, traveling representative for Wyman-Partridge, wholesale co., F.E. Brown of St. Paul, traveling agent for the Foot-Schulz shoe co., Frank Wrabeck of New Prague, G.E. Klinkerfus of St. Paul, traveling agent for the Gotzian shoe co. and Arthur Kilmeyer of Albert Lea. Among those injured was one of our own townsmen, Herman Boehmer who sustained a broken shoulder and otherwise severely shaken up. He is at present being cared for at the hospitable home of H.H. Heinen of New Prague where he was taken after the accident. Mrs. Boehmer went to New Prague Tuesday evening to remain with her husband until he can be brought home. Mr. Boehmer was on his way to New Prague where he had secured employment as a carpenter on the new church now in course of construction. His injuries will lay him up for some considerable time and hence means no small loss to him and his family who have the entire sympathy of his friends and neighbors and who sincerely hope for his speedy recovery. Sept 28, 1906 Shakopee Tribune Headline: Wreck At New Prague Five passengers were killed and about 20 injured, some perhaps fatally in a wreck of a southbound M&St.L. passenger train at New Prague., Monday morning. The passenger train crashed into a freight engine which ran onto the main line on the time of the passenger that was momentarily expected to arrive. Both engines were demolished and the smoking car, in which most of the fatalities occurred, was telescoped by the baggage car ahead. Three Twin City traveling men well known locally were among the killed as were young Fran Wrabeck of New Prague and A. Kilmeyer, fireman on the freight engine. Herman Boehmer of this city was among the passengers and sustained a dislocated shoulder besides severe injuries about the head and at the time of writing is reported to be partially paralyzed though his recovery is expected. He will be brought home either today or tomorrow. New Prague citizens rendered every aid to the ill-fated passengers and many rescues from the wreck are direct results of heroic efforts on the part of the residents. Coroner Hirscher went up yesterday to hold an inquest and will probably be absent several days. Blame for the accident is attached by the superintendent to the freight crew for running on the main track at a time when the passenger was due and no possible excuse can mitigate the seriousness of the offense or the deplorable results of their carelessness in so doing. Nov 29, 1906 Chaska Valley Herald A bad railroad wreck happened in this city at 7 o'clock, Monday evening, when a freight on the M&St.L., backed into the Milwaukee freight engine and tender on the crossing opposite the M&St.L. depot, entirely demolishing the engine, tipping over the coal car and demolishing several box cars, besides doing considerable damage to the M&St.L. depot. A Milwaukee freight was on the crossing and the St. Louis freight was on the main line and in a manner unknown to us backed down the track, the rear end or the caboose hitting the engine squarely and toppling it over, part of it striking the depot. The caboose was rammed, but fortunately no one occupied the same at the time. The engineer and fireman on the freight jumped in time to save themselves. It was a sorry looking spectacle, a mass of debris, but the best of the matter is that no one was killed or injured. A wrecking train was sent up over the M&St.L. the same evening and worked all night finally clearing the tracks so that the trains could run thru again. The St. Louis sent out its passengers Monday evening over the Omaha as far as Merriam and the Milwaukee was forced to hold over Monday evenings mixed train until Tuesday noon. However everything is running along in good shape now. Nov 30, 1906 Scott Co. Argus The H&D train did not pass through here Tuesday until after noon because of a collision at Chaska Monday in which several cars were wrecked and the station pretty badly damaged. An H&D engine ran into a M&St.L. freight. Both roads were blocked for a time. Dec 27, 1906 Chaska Valley Herald This community was shocked Monday afternoon to learn of the accidental death of Clifford Willcoxen of this city who was at work for the M&St.L. on the switch train in the sugar factory yards. The young man died shortly after being caught between the cars. Jan 3, 1907 Chaska Valley Herald Another railroad accident happened last Monday, although this time it was not a collision and there was no smash up, although two men were injured one very badly. It happened Monday morning that Samuel Yetke and Charles Reinhart of Philadelphia, sugar boiler at the refinery, were walking along the M&St.L. tracks when on the bridge opposite Klein's brick yard a freight came along down grade and the men not noticing it until too late to get off the bridge, steeped to the side, expecting that the train could pass without touching them but the snow shovel on the engine grazed them enough to hurl them from the bridge with the result that Mr. Reinhart was seriously injured and Mr. Yetke slightly scratched. At first it was thought that Mr. Reinhart was was not seriously hurt, but after being taken home it developed that he had received internal injuries and shortly grew worse and has been in precarious condition ever since. At this writing, Thursday morning, we learned that he was no better and it is very likely that if no change for the better is noticed within a few days he will die. Mr. Yetke is almost recovered and not much worse for the experience. Mar 5, 1908 Chaska Valley Herald Albert Bechtel, aged 15, the victim of the cars. Accidentally killed while unloading lumber at the M&St.L. depot. Sept 18, 1908 Scott Co. Argus (E.P. Col) Our station agent Mr. Bradley and wife will return to their former home at St. Louis Park and a new operator will be sent here to replace Mr. Bradley, whom we are sorry to lose. Feb 12, 1909 Shakopee Tribune The train service on the Misery & Short Life breeze has been so punk the last week that one of our business men decided to go to the cities on foot and started out Friday morning via the Swift Line's tracks arriving in Mpls. about noon, 30 minutes ahead of time. The good natured gentleman decided not to walk back and boarded a passenger leaving the city 8:40 p.m. but alas the train had only run 5 miles when it was put out of commission by a big snow drift. this was very discouraging but was again compelled to walk, but not having had time to eat the day he made his way to a farm house but was coldly refused. it was now a case of starvation but to give up would be a foolish thing to do and started out again arriving here Saturday afternoon nearly exhausted.- Weekly Valley Herald Apr 15, 1909 Chaska Valley Herald Chaska wants a new M&St.L. depot. (Big article) May 28, 1909 Scott Co. Argus Carver lost its Milwaukee depot by fire Wednesday, a half hour after the morning passenger train passed through. The personal effects of the agent and his family together with the express and freight were burned and the building was totally destroyed, estimated loss $2,000. No one know how the fire started. Oct 22, 1909 Scott Co. Argus A bad smash up of two M&St.L. freight trains took place at Carver station last week Tuesday. The local train while unloading freight was run into by an extra carrying the wrecking car bound for New Richland and set fire to the depot. An engine, one caboose and five bow cars were demolished in the crash. The town fire alarm brought help and the depot was saved, but the M&St.L.'s loss aggregates $100,000. No persons were injured and no lives lost. Nov 19, 1909 Scott Co. Argus A head on collision of two freight trains at Excelsior damaged one of the engines badly and tied up traffic on the road for several hours. No one was injured. Another wreck on the M&St.L. road at Carver tumbled three box cars into a ditch near the river where they still remain. In a freight wreck near Montgomery, Dan Krause, an engineer, stuck to his post and sustained injuries to his leg which made amputation of the limb necessary. Mar 24, 1910 Chaska Valley Herald Emma Patzke wins $15,000 judgment from M&St.L. R.R. M&St.L. appeals the case. Dec 8, 1910 Chaska Valley Herald M&St.L. to build a new depot at Chaska. Jan 12, 1911 Chaska Valley Herald Emma Patzke has won her suit against the M&St.L. R.R. Co., the State Supreme court affirming the verdict of the jury awarding her damages for personal injuries to the amount of $15,000. It will be remembered that she was injured, crippled for life you might say, while alighting from a passenger train at Merriam Jct. The case was tried in the district court here, the first jury awarding her $7,500. The second trial resulted in a verdict in her favor of $12,000 and at the third trial the jury increased the damages sustained to $15,000. The case was appealed to the Supreme court with the above results. June 9, 1911 Scott Co. Argus An Omaha freight on the M&St.L. road crashed thru a burned bridge 2 miles out of Merriam Jct. early yesterday morning, derailing the engine and seriously injuring the engineer W.H. Hartl of St. Paul, who jumped. J.A. Anderson, the fireman, stayed with his engine and escaped with a badly sprained shoulder. Dr. P.M. Fischer, who was called to attend the injured men reached the wreck within 15 minutes after the message was received, Henry Reis taking him up in double time with his auto. Traffic over the road was suspended and the M&St.L. trains were sent into the cities via the Northwestern. June 15, 1911 Chaska Valley Herald An Omaha freight on the M&St.L. had a narrow escape from complete destruction early last Thursday morning. The north bound Omaha freight had left Merriam Jct. at 3 o'clock Thursday morning, when upon nearing the Gas Lake bridge, about a mile south of Carver, the engineer and fireman noticed the structure on fire and barely had time to jump for their lives when the engine and coal car toppled down the burnt structure. Both men were injured, but we learn not seriously and are now doing nicely. Wrecking crews were sent out at once and it took until Saturday before the engine and tender could be brought to the main tracks. The engine and the tender were badly damaged, but were sent to the car shops for repairs and railroad men tell us both will be ready for service within a month. It is surmised the bridge was struck by lighting a short time previous and when the train reached there about twenty feet had burned away. Owing to the rain and the fog the engineer and fireman could not see the flames until too close to avoid the catastrophe. Sept 28, 1911 Chaska Valley Herald Mrs. Catherine Eder, an old resident of this city, aged about 65 years, met her death early Tuesday morning while on her way to the canning factory where she was to work. The aged lady had reached the crossing opposite the factory when she was hit by the northbound passenger on the M&St.L. Oct 12, 1911 Chaska Valley Herald M&St.L. R.R. Co. buys the Iowa Central. Part of Article Heavy Rain Cause Damage: The M&St.L. also suffered some inconvenience, although they lost no rolling stock. The No. 6, the through passenger, passed through this city on time Thursday evening , but the No. 4 coming along about an hour later had a hard time of it and finally had to pull back into Mpls. When the train reached the cuts near Riley's lake, the engineer and brakeman, who were watching the tracks closely on account of the terrific rains noticed that the tracks were covered sand and water had washed down the side of the cut and thought that an attempt to pull through would probably result in disaster. After backing toward Hopkins efforts were made to get into communication with the train dispatcher and it was along about five in the morning when the passenger and passengers reached Mpls. Several from this city and Carver were on the train and had to make the best of an entire night spent between Riley's lake and Mpls., a distance of about 16 miles. The morning trains of Friday were held off and it was not until in the afternoon that a freight was sent out over the road and the passenger service again resumed that evening. The same evening the M&St.L. sent her passenger trains over the Milwaukee to Shakopee from here as there had been some washouts between Carver and Merriam, but the regular run was resumed Saturday morning. It was the first time in years that traffic was blocked in this part of the country through washouts and we hope it is the last one for years to come. July 5, 1912 Shakopee Tribune An M&St.L. passenger train was derailed, last week, while crossing a bridge at Waterville. Besides tearing the track to pieces, it also swayed the bridge more than a foot out of plumb. However for some reason or other, it escaped being plunged to the ground, 45 feet below and it came to a stop without injuring anyone. Aug 30, 1912 Shakopee Tribune A wreck occurred on the M&St.L., on Wednesday, at Eden Prairie. Seven box cars were thrown into the ditch, while five more were derailed. The M&St.L. passenger trains passed through here on Wednesday, but the wreck was cleared very soon and the trains resumed their regular route yesterday. Oct 4, 1912 Shakopee Tribune Peter Wagner, a highly respected citizen of Jordan, met with an untimely death last Saturday, when the hand-car on which he was riding, was struck by an "Extra" freight train of the M&St.L. R.R. Oct 12, 1912 Chaska Valley Herald An Omaha freight on the M&St.L. crashed into a Milwaukee freight at the depot crossing in this city about 1 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, with the result that the engine at the head of the Omaha freight was badly demolished and one freight car of the Milwaukee train was put out of commission. The wrecking outfit was sent out from Mpls. at once and worked until 1 o'clock Wednesday morning before the tracks were clear of debris. (Goes on to tell which trains run on which track, Ect.) Nov 28, 1912 Chaska Valley Herald We understand that the M&St.L. has had another wreck. Two big freight trains tried the old stunt of trying to pass each other on the same track at Carver, Tuesday evening, with the result that there was a fair sized smashup and a still further diminishing of the already limited rolling stock of this bogus railroad. We are told that the weather beaten and time honored ark that is used for a station also got a few bumps , but like the cat o'nine lives still flutters in the breeze. If the wreck had only gone a bit further and completely wiped off this eyesore all would be forgiven and Carver would have a right to feel jubilant. Dec 6, 1912 Scott Co. Argus In a collision of two freight trains at Carver the depot sustained about $15 damages while if it had amounted to $25 it is said the loss would be total. Dec 6, 1912 Shakopee Tribune A fierce head on collision on the M&St.L. occurred at Carver depot last Tuesday evening about 6:30. No one was injured only the depot was totally demolished. Jan 31, 1913 Shakopee Tribune Freight train No. 7 on the St. Louis road crashed into the stock train No. 20 at Merriam on Wednesday morning at 2:30 o'clock. Fortunately no one was injured. Several head of cattle and a number of hogs were killed. The wrecking train from St. Paul arrived on the scene about 6 o'clock and the main line was cleared after 3 hours hard work. Apr 25, 1913 Shakopee Tribune The M&St.L. depot at Norwood burned to the ground last Tuesday afternoon. Just how the fire started is not known, but most likely from the sparks from a passing locomotive. Aug 1, 1913 Scott Co. Argus Passengers on a fast train to Chicago had a narrow escape when an accident in the engine blew the engineer and fireman into the coalbox and steam became so thick in the cab they were unable to return. The train kept gaining speed and when going at 75 miles per hour at Hopkins the engineer crawled into the cab and shut the throttle with his foot. Luckily all signals were set for safe passage thru the village yard and the tracks were clear. Aug 29, 1913 Scott Co. Argus The fact that Mudcura Sanitarium is rapidly becoming noted throughout this and surrounding states as a famous health resort was again demonstrated last week when officials of the M&St.L. R.R. decided to establish a new station near the sanitarium, which will be called Mudcura. The location is just to the right of the point where the road, which leads to Excelsior, crosses the tracks and it is the intention of the railroad officials to erect a suitable depot at that point in the very near future. In deciding to take into consideration the future of Mudcura and the fact that the officials deemed it wise to establish the new station is a prognostication of the success which is bound to be attained by Mudcura as a famous health resort and the resulting prestige for Shakopee as the home of "Minnesota's Original and Greatest Sulphur Springs." The time table for the present is as follows. Train N0. 2 leaves Mpls. daily (except Sunday) 8:25 a.m.; arrives Mudcura 9:04 a.m.; Train No. 6 leaves Mpls. daily 7:50 p.m. arrives Mudcura 8:28 p.m.; Train No. 7 (from south) arrives; Mudcura 8:10 a.m.; and reaches Mpls. at 8:50. Sept 12, 1913 Scott Co. Argus Arthur E. Clark, deputy state fire marshal, was instantly killed by a train on the M&St.L. tracks at Carver last week. He was walking on the tracks inspecting grain elevators and owing to deafness did not hear the approaching train. His body was badly mutilated. Nov 7, 1913 Shakopee Tribune A train on the M&St.L. ran into a threshing outfit at Hopkins. It took several hours to clear the wreckage. Mar 27, 1914 Scott Co. Argus John Edberg of Carver was awarded $10,750 damages against the M&St.L. R.R. Co. for injuries received while in performance of his duties as a dray and expressman at the depot. Sept 25, 1914 Shakopee Tribune Ten section hands working with pick and shovel on the M&St.L. road at Montgomery, quit when they were informed that their wages would be cut from $1.60 to $1.50 a day. The management of the Misery & Short Life should shame themselves to the bottom of their hearts, if they have any. Just think of it, $1.50 a day. Suppose some one of the officials wants to purchase a 7 passenger selfstarter or wants to give a banquet to a bunch of bloated bond holders or perhaps the price of chicken has gone up.-Waconia Patriot Oct 30, 1914 Shakopee Tribune Another train wreck on the M&St.L. occurred at Waterville last Monday. The wreck was caused by a defective switch. The engineer lost an arm and 60 passengers were reported injured. Dec 17, 1915 Shakopee Tribune Another bad freight wreck occurred on the M&St.L. at Waterville last week when two freight trains collided. No one was hurt. This is the 4th wreck in about the same place in the last 2 years. A bad wreck occurred at Merriam jct on the M&St.L. early Wednesday morning when a freight train ran into an open switch upsetting the engine. The engineer, Martin J. Coleman, fireman Henry Gipford and head brakeman John Clayton were taken to Kehrer hospital, Jordan, suffering from terrible scalds and other injuries. They are considered seriously injured. Mar 10, 1916 Shakopee Tribune The M&St.L. R.R. will lay 15 miles of new steel rails the coming summer between Mpls. and Albert Lea. Mar 31, 1916 Shakopee Tribune A derailed box car at Hopkins was the cause of the wreck on the M&St.L. last Wednesday. Mar 16, 1917 Shakopee Tribune As the result of a railroad crossing collision at Merriam on Wednesday morning about 9 o'clock, Willard Mace, engineer and Anthony Monschaw, fireman on the M&St.L. are lying in Kehrer hospital in Jordan both suffering badly wrenched backs and minor bruises. both men are residents of Mpls. The Omaha's west bound passenger train No. 5 and the M&St.L. train No. 3, south bound, through some misunderstanding, collided at the Jct. of the two roads. the Omaha engine tipping the St.L. locomotive, leaving it square across the Omaha tracks and delaying traffic for five hours. All Omaha trains arrived here over the Milwaukee, through Chaska. Several passengers were badly shaken up, with no bad results and others were unaware of what happened. Mar 30, 1917 Shakopee Tribune The M&St.L. R.R. Co. has purchased 1,500 new cars to be delivered in time for the next crop harvest. June 15, 1917 Shakopee Tribune Wm. Plackner of Carver, employed as a section hand on the M&St.L. was badly cut and bruised when the handcar he was riding ran into an open switch at Chaska. Sept 14, 1917 Shakopee Tribune A crew of 75 men are at work near Carver constructing a new railroad bridge over the Minnesota river. Dec 6, 1918 Scott Co. Argus Carver hopes to get a new depot, the M&St.L. depot succumbing to the fire demon last week. Sparks from a passing engine started the blaze. Apr 16, 1920 Shakopee Argus Struck by a passenger train on the M&St.L. road as he was driving over the crossing at Eden Praire Saturday morning, Andrew Donavan, a prominent citizen of Belle Plaine was instantly killed. Mr. Donavan was returning from the Twin Cities, driving a new Ford roadster which he had just purchased. he was due here for jury duty at 10 o'clock and had called up before leaving St. Paul to say that he was on his way. After passing Eden Prairie he apparently thought of some forgotten errand and turned back toward the city. He reached the crossing just as the train, which was going at a good speed, it struck the closed automobile squarely throwing the car in one direction and the driver in another, a distance of 70 feet. Mr. Donavan's skull was crushed and his body was cut and badly mangled, many bones being broken. The car was reduced to kindling wood and one tire was not found at all. Hirscher Bro.'s went to Eden Prairie and returned to Shakopee with the remains, which were taken to Belle Plaine on the 6 o'clock evening train. Shakopee council, K. of C., escorted the remains to the station. (Goes on to describe his life) Oct 26, 1923 Shakopee Argus A shocking accident occurred Thursday evening of last week, about 5:30 o'clock, when a Chaska young man, Reinhard Schallow, aged 22, was killed and his girl companion, Adeline Lenz, 20, of Glencoe, slightly injured when the small touring car he was driving collided with a M&St.L. freight at a grade crossing 2 miles east of Chaska. Schallow's body was hurled 60 feet and the machine 30 feet by the force of the crash but Miss Lenz was saved by being thrown beside the tracks. Schallow's view of the train was cut off by a hill at that point and on a down grade he was making about 25 miles per hour. When the train hit the auto it had a speed of 40 miles per hour, it is estimated. Schallow and Miss Lenz were returning from Excelsior when the accident happened. Their car was completely demolished. Schallow was the star forward on the town basketball team and also a good football and baseball player. The funeral took place afternoon from Chaska Lutheran church, a very large attendance being present at the services. June 10, 1926 Shakopee Argus-Tribune A tragic accident happened about 9 o'clock Tuesday morning when an unknown man, aged about 70 years of age was struck and killed by the southbound passenger train on the M&St.L. R.R., about 1 mile north of Merriam Jct. station. The remains, badly mutilated, were picked up by the train crew and taken to Merriam where they were viewed coroner H.W. Reiter before they were brought to Hirsher's undertaking rooms in this city. Dr. Reiter's informs us that no clue to the mans relatives nor any family connections has been found and the remains were buried yesterday at county expense. May 7, 1925 Hennepin Co. Review Milk went up in the air higher than it has been for some time when the morning passenger train on the M&St.L. road hit the 3 1/2 ton truck owned by the Pauly Bro's of Chanhassen when it was being driven through Hopkins Tuesday morning. Luckily the driver, Herman Ehr, escaped from the wrecked truck with a bad cut in the back of his head and some bruises on his left side. Mr. Ehr claimed he did not see the oncoming train until it was too late, owing to an auto that was just ahead of him at the crossing turning to the right obstructing his view. The pilot of the engine hit the truck nearly in the middle and milk cans flew in all directions, some of them being ground under the wheels of the train. The truck was a double decker and some of the cans smashed the headlight of the engine so badly it had to be pried off and left alongside the track. One of the tires from a rear wheel headed down the track in front of the engine and stopped in the yard of the Pavek home more than a hundred feet from the wreck. The truck was mostly a heap of wreckage, the front wheels and cab being about the only things left to make it resemble a gas buggy and they were much the worse for the encounter. Sept 30, 1926 Shakopee Arus-Tribune Al Nord, aged 60, proprietor of a soft drink parlor at Chaska, was killed last Friday evening when he was struck by an M&St.L. train at Carver. Nov 11, 1926 Hennepin Co. Review (E.P. Col) Al Gould, age 68, was killed Nov. 2nd, while crossing the M&St.L. tracks at Eden Prairie. he was driving a team. The through passenger train struck the wagon he was riding on and he was killed instantly. The body was taken to the Hennepin Co. morgue. Apr 12, 1928 Hennepin Co. Review Last Fridays storm precipitated a near tragedy in our locality, When the M&St.L. local train met up with a ice covered crossing near the depot, at about 6 o'clock in the evening. The engine and tender and the front of the baggage car jumped the track, ran for 200 feet and nearly tipped over, sinking about 3 feet on one side. No one was injured, fortunately, and the passengers were put on another train to be taken to their destinations. A "Wrecker" came out from Mpls. and a crew worked till 5:00 o'clock the next morning before the train was got back onto the tracks again. Feb 28, 1929 Hennepin Co. Review (E.P. Col) While driving a group of the boys home after a basket ball tournament, Prof. Mitchell's car was stalled in the snow at Miroc railroad station and was struck by a train and completely demolished. No one was hurt. Feb 28, 1929 Shakopee Argus-Tribune Last Thursday evening after the basketball game between Carver and Eden Prairie at Eden Prairie, Mr. Mitchell, principal of the local high school, took the different members of the team to their respective homes around the countryside. He had just taken a boy home to Chanhassen and was taking Orville Dorn, the last boy, to his home on Riley's lake, when driving up over the M&St.L. R.R. crossing near the lake, the back wheels of the car sunk along the tracks and the machine refused to move. It was close to the time when the 10:20 passenger train was due through there and both Mr. Mitchell and Orville Dorn used every effort to extricate the wheels from the heavily packed snow bank. At last the train was in sight and moving rapidly toward them. Orville ran down the track in the direction of the train and flagged it. The engineer saw him and tried to stop quickly but it was too late, as they were already just a few yards from the car and before he could bring the engine to a stop, Mr. Mitchell's Chrysler car was completely wrecked. Both he and Orville feel fortunate that they escaped with their lives and they had plenty of time to get out of the car. The car was covered with insurance so Mr. Mitchell is suffering no financial loss but both he and Orville declare they were not a little bit nervous for a short while and do not care to go through the experiences again. Nov 21, 1929 Hennepin Co. Review (E.P. Col) Mrs. Wm. Moran had the misfortune of killing her engine on the Eden Prairie railroad crossing Sunday morning and was struck by a train. The car was badly damaged but Mrs. Moran jumped and was unhurt. Aug 21, 1930 Hennepin Co. Review (E.P. Col) Nine stacks of oats belonging to Sheldon Douglas were accidentally burned Sunday from sparks from a passing freight train. May 28, 1931 Hennepin Co. Review Mike Ryan, a foreman on the M&St.L. R.R., suffered a fractured right leg Saturday when a heavy iron bar fell on him in the Eden Prairie yards. His injuries were treated at the blake clinic. Aug 6, 1931 Hennepin Co. Review Two new 400 horsepower gas-electric cars were recently put into use on the Watertown line through Hopkins by the M&St.L. R.R. Co. on day trains No.'s 13 and 14. The two cars have a 15 foot space for U.S. mail and 45 foot space for express and baggage. A third 400 horsepower car with 30 foot U.S. mail and 30 foot express and baggage space, will be operated on trains 11 and 12 between Mpls. and Lake Minnetonka points and New Ulm. One car, with 300 horsepower engine, 15 foot U.S. mail space, 22 express and baggage space and seating capacity for 32 passengers, will be used on the line between Spencer, Fort Dodge and Des Moines, according to John Dolan, Hopkins agent for the company. Seven of the gas-electric cars have been operated by the railroad during the past year, he said. Each car is 70 feet long, is all steel, electric lighted, has a hot water heating plant and has sufficient power to handle extra baggage cars and coaches. In September, 1930, the company adopted the black and white stripe on the head end as an additional protection for motorists at grade crossings, which makes the trains more visible under all weather conditions, Mr. Dolan pointed. May 5, 1932 Hennepin Co. Review Funeral services for George Schmidt, 24 year old, who was killed by a train on the M&St.L. R.R. tracks at Miroc crossing, Eden Prairie, Friday evening, were conducted at 9:00 a.m. from the Catholic church at Chanhassen. Rev. Father Kurtzer officiated at the last rites and burial was in St. Hubert's cemetery. Schmidt's body was discovered at 10:15 a.m., Saturday by the engineer of a passing freight train and it believed the young man was killed by a gas-electric passenger train which passed through Eden Prairie at 10:00 p.m. Friday. The accident occurred south of Eden Prairie station, one half mile from Schmidt's home. Schmidt was born in Eden Prairie, Jan. 29, 1906 and spent his life residing with his parents on their farm. Survivors are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Schmidt, two sisters, Susan of Mpls. and Sophronia of Portland, Oregon; and four brothers, Mathew and Nick at home, Robert of St. Paul and Frank of Mpls. (My Comment: Their name is Smith, not Schmidt.) May 7, 1932 Shakopee Argus-Tribune Believed to have been struck by a gas-electric on the M&St.L. R.R. near Miroc, George Smith, 26, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, was killed early Friday night. The train crew of a freight passing along the same route at 10:15 discovered the body and reported the accident to Harold Miller, deputy-constable at Eden Prairie. George Smith, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Smith was born in Eden Prairie, January 29, 1906, one of 13 children born to that union. He never married and spent his entire life residing with his parents on a farm near here. He attended Gould school where he made many friends and many fine associations. (Goes on and tells who survivors are, same as Hennepin Co. Review article.) Oct 10, 1935 Hennepin Co. Review Excelsior residents witnessed a train wreck Saturday when a split rail on the trestle near the amusement park sent 5 freight cars off the rails. The main line of the M&St.L. road was tied up for five hours while crews righted the wrecked cars and repaired the track. After leaving the track the cars hung precariously over St. Alban's bay channel, held only by the couplings between the cars. Rails were twisted and the (My Comment: The article ends like this and I couldn't find the rest of it.) Apr 16, 1936 Shakopee Argus-Tribune Interstate Commerce Commission proposes abandoning portions of the M&St.L. R.R. and parceling out the rest. Aug 19, 1937 Shakopee Argus-Tribune (E.P. Col) The train crew reported to Constable Harold Miller early Wednesday of two men on the railroad tracks near Miller's store. One man was found dead and the other taken to the Mpls. general hospital, badly injured. The two men were supposedly fighting in a box car of the moving train. Nov 4, 1937 Hennepin Co. Review Big Article: Hopkins and other communities trying to Save M&St.L. R.R. Article in 18 years ago column: Six cars of cement were smashed up west of Eden Prairie on the St. Louis road Wednesday morning when the train left the rails. No one was injured but more than 100 feet of rail was torn up. July 21, 1938 Shakopee Argus-Tribune Article about M&St.L. being saved, Governor of state involved. Oct 6, 1938 Shakopee Argus-Tribune (E.P. Col) The Miller boys bought the lumber in the Eden Prairie water tower to use on there farm. Aug 21, 1941 Shakopee Argus-Tribune An unconscious man, about 50 years old, found lying along the right-of-way of the M&St.L. R.R., a half mile east of Riley's Lake, Friday morning, was brought to St. Francis hospital here where he was identified as Robert B. Dooner, a possible resident of Mpls. Examination disclosed a skull fracture and brain hemorrhage. How he was injured was not definitely determined but it is believed he had either fallen from a moving train or had been struck by a train as he walked along the track. A train crew noticing the injured man, reported their discovery to the Mpls. dispatcher who sent an investigator to the scene. A Shakopee doctor and ambulance were summoned and the victim was removed to the hospital. Dooner had not regained consciousness Wednesday. Nov 6, 1941 Shakopee Argus-Tribune 25 years ago: The M&St.L. R.R. is going to build a new bridge at Carver. (My Comment: the Nov. 3, 1916 of the Scott Co. Argus is missing.) Jan 15, 1942 Shakopee Argus-Tribune A member of the freight crew was killed and two others were reported injured in a collision of a passenger and a freight train on the M&St.L. R.R. south of Helena, in Scott Co., at 3:30 a.m., Friday The dead man was Vernon Riggs Koplin, 55, Mpls., conductor on the freight. According to Dr. H.W. Reiter, coroner, Riggs perished in the blaze that destroyed the caboose which burst into flames. Both trains, Dr. Reiter said, were in motion and traveling south. The freight was followed by a special passenger train carrying officials of the rail company. The engine of the passenger train was disabled in the crash and the caboose and freight car just ahead of it were derailed. Jan 15, 1942 Hennepin Co. Review A wrecked special of the M&St.L. R.R. was towed backward into Mpls. Friday morning following its crackup with a freight train 5 miles south of Jordan earlier in the day. Only fatality was Vernon R. Koplin, 50, a brakeman riding in the caboose of the freight which was struck. M.F. Fulton, fireman on the special was injured when he jumped from his engine cab. Officials of the railroad, including the Pres., I.C. Sprauge, were not injured. Oct 1, 1942 Shakopee Argus-Tribune (E.P. Col) Monday forenoon, about 10 o'clock the town truck and grader were hit at the Miroc crossing by an oncoming train from Eden Prairie. William Werner, driver of the truck and Rinault Dorn, grader man, were uninjured but both truck and grader were taken to the garage for repairs. Feb 15, 1945 Hennepin Co. Review Struck by a west-bound M&St.L. train as he was walking home from work Thursday evening. Joseph Aubrecht of Rt.2 was instantly killed. The tragedy occurred shortly before 10 p.m. two miles west of Hopkins, at a point where the railroad track crosses Mud Lake near the Aubrecht home. Mrs. Aubrecht was expecting her husband to arrive home at any moment. when she heard the train stop, she left the house and walked to the tracks. Members of the crew notified the sheriff's office and several deputies reported on the scene. The deputies recovered Mr. Aubrecht's body at the foot of a steep embankment and informed Mrs. Aubrecht of her husband's death. (Goes on to give bio and survivors) Dec 27, 1945 Hennepin Co. Review Big article: M&St.L buys 15 acres of old Red Wing Sewer Pipe Co. site. Jan 2, 1947 Hennepin Co. Review George Robert Specht, 21, of 4829 Maple Rd., Edina, a medical student at the U. of Minnesota was killed in Eden Prairie early Sunday morning when the car he was driving slid into a train at the M&St.L. R.R. tracks and Co. #4. The student died of a crushed chest according to the coroners report. Two passengers in Specht's car suffered only slight injury. according to George Nelson, 21, 4807 Sunnyside Rd., Edina, no one in the car saw the train until it had passed. Mr. Specht applied the brakes, but the automobile skidded into one of the freight cars, the 7th from the end on a 64 car train. The other passenger was Miss. Dorothy Nugent, 1107 W. 53rd St., Mpls. The young student was an army veteran and had served as a surgical technician with the infantry. He had two awards of the Purple heart and held the Bronze star with one oak leaf cluster. Survivors are his mother, Lt. Casimira Specht, army nurse corps and a brother, Donald. Services were Tuesday, 12 o'clock noon. Interment was at Fort Snelling National cemetery. July 24, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune Traffic on the M&St.L. R.R. in this area was halted for nearly 16 hours Monday as a result of a wreck on the line at Helena, south of Jordan. In the mishap, in which there were no casualties, a diesel powered 35 car southbound freight plowed into the rear end of another freight, which had been slowed down as a result of a hot box on one of the car trucks, exploded the caboose into splinters, sent two units of the diesel engine, two box cars and a tank car tumbling down a 30 foot embankment into Sand creek, tore up 300 feet of train line and side track and left 3 other box cars hanging precariously on the soft shoulders of the right-of-way. Rail authorities who, with a crew of more than 60 members of a repair gang worked throughout the day and night to repair the track and clear the wreckage, said that fortunately there were no crewmen in the caboose when the locomotive crashed into it. Two trainmen were waiting to hop aboard the end car as it passed but ran for safety when they saw the collision was imminent. Three enginemen riding in the big yellow diesel were less fortunate, authorities said. They stayed with the locomotive and were tossed and tumbled about in the destructive turmoil that followed. One of the men, it was learned, submerged in the creek into one section of the diesel rolled, crawled out, removed his drenched clothing and hung them up to dry. The other, jostled and shaken emerged from the wreckage unhurt. According to the farmers at work in their nearby fields and barn yards, when the wrecked occurred, they were startled at 7:30 a.m. by the thundering, crushing sound that burst around upon the stillness of the morning. The neighborhood dropped whatever it was at and men, women and children raced in the direction of the din. Some reached the scene in time to see the engine crewmen freeing themselves. The lead section and the middle unit of the diesel went down the west side of the steep bank and the rear section went off the rails on the east side. All that was recognizable of the caboose was its trucks and the bright red splinters that once formed the framework. Smashed castings, twisted rails, the tie plates, spikes littered the area and an 8 foot depression was gouged into the rail bed. All this had to be cleared before the repair gang could go at the job of relaying the steel. When it became apparent that a massive crane would not be capable of moving a section of the derailed locomotive which blocked the track it was necessary to cut away a section of the nose with acetylene torches. All through the day and late into the night thousands of curious spectators flocked to the scene. Scott, Carver, Le Sueur, Hennepin and Ramsey county residents were among the throngs. Cars for blocks lined the narrow highway that inclined toward the railroad crossing far north of the wreck. There were babes in the arms of fathers and mothers who elbowed their way through the milling and excited crowds to seek a vantage point from where to get a better view of the destruction. Grimy, sweating workman pulled, tugged, lifted and pounded while others in authority pleaded with the weaving throng to "please stay back-these men must have room to work." Undaunted by his crutches and frail little limbs a blond, bareheaded 9 year old polio victim. picked his tortuous way over the crushed rock surface to join the cosmopolitan assemblage that moved about the scene Monday night. An improved telegraphers station kept the lines dispatcher informed of the progress while executives scanned the debris contemplating an investigation into the cause of the wreck. Actual removal of the derailed locomotive sections, it was learned, would await arrival of a crane owned by the Milwaukee R.R. That episode was scheduled to get under way Tuesday. Estimates of the loss and damage ran well into six figures, none authortive. Value of the diesel was said to approximate $300,000 but to what extent it was damaged could not be immediately determined. (My Comment: The guy forgot to tell us what the weather was like.) Mar 2, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune Traffic on the M&St.L. R.R. was routed through Shakopee Friday when it was discovered that a railbridge two miles west of Carver had burned out Thursday night. Trains traveling on the line between Mpls. and Albert Lea were routed from Merriam Jct. to Shakopee on the Omaha line and from Shakopee to Chaska on the Milwaukee road. The M&St.L. passes through Chaska and Merriam and the bridge break was between these two points. Feb 8, 1951 Hennepin Co. Review Nastiest fire call of the season caught the Hopkins boys a week ago tonight, when they were called to Eden Prairie to assist a dead locomotive on the M&St.L. line steam up. It was waydown below zero and the call came in shortly after 11 o'clock p.m.. Mates Hegberg, Exworthy, Brecka, Beckman and a couple of others whose names escaped the reporter, who was in bed at the time, made the run and when they arrived at Eden Prairie found themselves a wee bit on the chilly side. Riding either in a open cab or the tail end of the old No. 2 truck across the prairie at 15 to 20 below is a chilly job. The locomotive had run dry of water, because of a minor accident and the boys had to hightail for the Glen Lake Sanatorium to fetch the big drink. That was only half enough so they turned and made a second trip to the San. The two loads were enough for the loco to get up a slight head of steam and make its way to Hopkins. The fire boys returned to the barn at 1:30 a.m. then waited around until 3, when the locomotive arrived to help its crew fill up here in the yards. It was a rough night, for $2 per head. the skies were filled with sream for "Miles Around" according to Jim Exworthy, who said he was speaking roughly, as the boys were pumping the water into the big boiler at Eden Prairie. The Hopkins department has been fortunate during the cold spell, for the Eden Prairie ride was really the only bad one they have had during the long sub-zero spell. As a matter of fact there were only 3 calls in January as against 12 a year ago in January and only 4 to this date in February. However, 2 of the 4 thus far in February were "simultanous" calls coming in at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, one from the 908 bar and the other from Superior Separator Co. One truck was dispatched to the factory, the other to 908, wher a furnace fire in the Planker Market started a furios smoke, but caused but smoke damage. At Superior Separator, aminor blaze was brought under control without difficulty. June 14, 1951 Hennepin Co. Review John Byron Ker, 48, Dubuque, Iowa, was still in critical condition last night in University hospital after having been found unconscious Monday along the M&St.L. tracks in Eden Prairie township. Mr. Kerr was found Monday morning by a railroad section crew at the trackside near new highway 5 northeast of the Eden Prairie school. He had suffered head and shoulder injuries and was severely sun-burned from what is thought must have been a whole day's exposure. He was taken to University hospital by ambulance where it was thought yesterday that surgery might be necessary because of pressure on the brain caused by the injuries. Deputy Sheriff Charles Lord, who was called to the scene, Monday told a Review reporter that there were no indications of whether he might have fallen or have been pushed from a train. Apr 3, 1952 Hennepin Co. Review History article by Dotty Nye: List of depot agents, R.O. Reed, first one, later some of them: Amy Smith Douglas, Panghorn, Rennells and Gladys Martin. June 17, 1954 Shakopee Argus-Tribune Re-Routing of the M&St.L. and the C.M. & St.P.P. R.R.'s through Hopkins moved a little closer to reality last week when the state Railraod and Warehouse commission approved the plan. Effort to force the re-routing has been in progress for two years. The R & W commission recommends that half the cost be borne by the two rail companies and the remaining half by Hopkins and Hennepin county. Sept 9, 1954 Shakopee Argus-Tribune Picture of big fire at Merriam Jct.: This spectacular blaze resulted from an overheated journal on a flat car on a M&St.L. freight train near Merriam Jct. late Thursday afternoon. The cars cargo of 100 fresh creosoted utility poles quickly ignited and burst into flames. For a time it was feared the intense heat would cause an explosion in an empty fuel tank car coupled to the flat car. Shakopee firemen hampered by inadequate water supply, fought the blaze for several hours before they succeeded in spilling the cargo off the car. (My Comment: The pictures aren't very good.) Aug 11, 1955 Shakopee Argus-Tribune The M&St.L. R.R. Co. has completed the laying of new rails from Chaska to Eden Prairie. Feb 16, 1956 Shakopee Argus-Tribune Picture of train de-railment at Chaska: Picture above is the scene at Chaska Friday morning after 11 cars of an Omaha railroad freight train traveling over the M&St.L. rails jumped the tracks. One of the box cars crashed into the city water pumping station demolishing the west wall of the building. The main water pump, though surrounded by debris, was not damaged. The accident occured at about 3 a.m. No one was in the water station at the time. The train was bound for the Twin Cities. M&St.L. trains were re-routed through Shakopee while damage to the tracks was repaired. May 2, 1957 Hennepin Co. Review Picture: Derailment of a Chicago, Minneapolis and Omaha train sometime after 4 p.m. a few hundred yards east of the old Shady Oak bridge has brought the F.B.I. into Hopkins for a full investigation. Heading into Mpls., the train was running over the M&St.L. tracks when an open switch caused the three diesel train to jump the tracks. Investigation according to the authorities, revealed the padlock on the switch has been hammered open. It was also stated by a railroad worker that rocks were piled on the tracks a few hundred feet ahead of the switch, though this was not confirmed by office officials. It was estimated the train was carrying about a 100 cars according to L.I. Gelfand, public relations council for the M&St.L. and must have been going at a slow rate of speed. None of the freight cars were derailed and no one was injured. Authority of the F.B.I. is justified by the violation of interstate commerce regulations andpossible sabotage. Apr 23, 1959 Shakopee Argus-Tribune Picture: This is what resulted when 29 cars of a northbound M&St.L. R.R. freight were derailed two miles north of New Prague at 3 a.m. Saturday. The cars were loaded with coal, farm tractors, cement, plaster board, empty barrels, bottles and a variety of merchandise. Rail service was restored late Saturday. Much of the track was torn up and many cars demolished. Thousands of spectators crowded into the area over the weekend to view the wreckage. May 18, 1961 Hennepin Co. Review Picture of the M&St.L. depot at St. Louis Park. July 12, 1962 Shakopee Valley News Pictures (2): Luckly escaping injury were freight crew of the M&St.L. R.R. about 5:53 a.m. last Friday, July 6, when one train being pulled by four diesels rammed the rear of another freight on the main line about a mile east of the depot in Chaska, along highway 212 and Stoughton Ave. Shown here are the four derailed diesels of train No. 20 that was out of Mpls, enroute to Peoria that smashed into the train 201 headed for Mpls. Reports are that 201 had pulled off on a siding to let No. 20 to Peoria pass on the through track and in apparently pulling off; train 201's caboose remained on the main track. Then in a heavy fog, the Peoria bound freight collided with the rear of the other train. Oct 17, 1963 Shakopee Valley News Pictures (2): Clearing operation following the derailment of 5 cars and a locomotive when a M&St.L. switch train from Hopkins, bound for Merriam Jct., plowed into four beet cars on the main line near the Highway 212 overpass just west of the Assumption Seminary about 5 p.m. Wednesday last week, was completed in slightly over 24 hours with the tracks clear at 6p.m. last Thursday. The engineer and two crew members of the switch train were treated for bruises and released. They jumped clear before the engine, along with the cars, toppled over a 40 foot embankment. Piled up on its side was the locomotive of the M&St.L. freight when it, along with four beet cars and a box car left the rails in the mishap at 5 p.m. Wednesday of last week near the Highway 212 overpass just west of the Assumption Seminary. About 1,000 feet of track were torn up as the switch train rammed the four beet cars, unloaded at the sugar factory in Chaska which were on the main line. Reported was that these empty beet cars had been switched out on the main line as there was not enough trackage left in the beet yard to complete the switching. July 2, 1964 Shakopee Valley News List of Stations to be closed and dismantled by the C&NW, Jordan and Blakeley among them, 53 in all. Oct 11, 1972 Shakopee Valley News Pictures (2): The often critized crossing on highway 41 and Northwestern railroad between Chaska and Shakopee was the scene of a fatal truck-train collision Friday morning about 7:15. Richard Borth, 39, Stewart, Minn. was killed when the tractor trailer he was driving hit the moving freight. The force of the crash tore the trailer from the tractor and tossed the truck cab down into the ditch. the embankment was covered with corn which spilled from the mangled trailer. On of the engines of the train was completely derailed and the track was broken and twisted. Engineer Thomas Johnson, St.Paul and trainman William Werle, So. St. Paul were treated for minor injuries.