The Colorado Train Wreck of 1899

A three page ALS dated August 29, (1899) retaining its transmittal envelope addressed to Mrs. R. Gibbon of Boulder, Colorado.

(Letter in full)

Denver Colo.

August 29th

My Dear Luella (?)

I understand by the very lines of your last letter that you were not only “wondering” what I was traveling in the Southern front of the State but also worrying about it. Well my letter of last week to you explained it all and you have of course received it before this time. I have got well rested and am now feeling well but no more Leadville for me, thank you and yet, do you know I want to go again sometime after I am feeling better. The road over the High Line is magnificent and I am going again sometime with Tom – if he will take me. The dear boy sent me two letters today – Sunday you know. He had some interests in mining property there in Silverton and has to stay over until the 30th to see who answers as he is trying to make a sale, as he will reach here on Wednesday morning at 7:20, happy thought! I didn’t suppose it would be such hard work to put in the evenings even if he were away but I find my self lonely ___ sometimes. When I first got home I put in a good deal of my time sleeping and combing the superfluous cinders out of my brain so found plenty to do. I am going up to see Sister Rosetta this afternoon as I suppose on the first, school will begin.

I hear Rose Frankle is to be married this next month – To some Dutchman, of course and I heard his name was Zong. May be of course Lizzie and Annies brother. Well even so Rose will have all the beer she can drink and ought to be satisfied.

The night I came down from Leadville, the train coming up from Denver was wrecked. It happened as they were coming after Boreas Pass and they had two engines on the engineer on the first engine started on ahead to get more coal. He was running fast and as he came to one of the sharp turns the engine jumped the tack and turned right upside down leaving the wheels fairly spinning in the air. The Engineers name was Jack Hoodhue and when he went over he reversed the engine just as he was going and the steam poured out so that nothing could be seen until Mr. Lillig, broke in the cab and stopped it. They found Jack Goodhue thrown about one hundred and fifty feet against a pile of rocks with his collar bone broken in two places and his body scalded dreadfully by the steam. They sent a special on to Como got a doctor and then sent him on downtown the U.P. Hospital, where of course he will have good care and yesterday Mr. Lally told me the Doctor said he would get well.

His head was also cut in several places but it seems his skull was not broken. That was probably done as he was coming out of engine for they said he was thrown through the cab. The engineer on the train just behind reversed his engine so quick and stopped that it nearly threw the people out of their chairs – this of course caused a delay and we passed them going up as we were coming down at about 10 A.M. They should have been there at 6:15 so were about 4 hours late. That is all I know about the wreck, so now I will go. Write often. Love to all. Your loving little sister. Mollie

Points of interest mentioned in the letter:

The town of Como in 1871 was a booming coal town. The the railroad arriving in 1879 Como became the largest town in Park County with about 500 residents. With up to 26 trains passing through town each day, Como was a major hub of the railway for the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railway.

Boreas Pass is an elevation of 11,493 feet in central Colorado within the Rocky Mountains. Originally just a wagon road to the gold mines, in 1882 a railroad track was laid connecting the village of Como to Breckenridge, Colorado.

In its day Leadville was home to about 30,000 residents due to the gold and silver mines which allowed for the construction of Victorian mansions, saloons, dance halls and brothels. Perhaps the most famous business being the Tabor Opera House

The train was on the Colorado and Southern Tracks which previously had been the Denver, Leadville and Gunnison tracks.

Very legible and in very fine condition.