William Eugene OSBORNE

HOLLANDER, OSBORNE, KEITH, CROSS, SPENCER, ALDRED, LAMONT, COBB, BELT, DODGE, CARNEY, BASS, STOWE, SCHOONOVER, HOLLEY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/27/2013 at 20:35:28

William Eugene Osborne

July 15, 1864 --- February 17, 1898

Eagle Grove Items
Willie W. OSBORNE
Last Friday night at Hubbard occurred one of the worst wrecks the Northwestern has ever had. No. 23 and No. 26, both double headers crashed together which resulted in the death of Fireman Osborne and Engineer Hollander, both prominent railroad boys of the city. The four engines were all considerably smashed up although neither left the track. Fireman Arthur Keith escaped by jumping through the cab window. The funerals of Mr. Osborne and Mr. Hollander were both held in the Methodist church Sunday after which the remains were laid to rest in the Rose Hill cemetery.

Renwick Times -- Renwick, Iowa
March 3, 1898

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The Webster City Freeman gives the following account of the collision, of double header freight trains on the Northwestern reported in our press, dispatches last evening. Freight trains No. 23 and 26 on the Northwestern railroad collided at Hubbard Thursday night at about ten o'clock. An engineer and fireman were killed and a brakeman badly hurt. Freight train No. 23 is due here at 7:45 p. m. from the south. No. 26 from the north leaves here at 6 p. m. The train from the south was late and the two crews had orders to meet at Hubbard. Both trains were heavy double headers. The train from the south pulled into the station at Hubbard and stood on the main track awaiting the arrival of No. 26. The engineer on the head engine of the train from the north, supposed the switch was turned until it was too late to avert the collision—the train being a heavy one and the track being on considerable of a grade at Hubbard. Fireman Osborn, of Eagle Grove, and Engineer Louis Hollander, both on the second engine from the north, lost their lives. The fireman was killed instantly. The engineer attempted to escape by jumping from the cab, but was caught between the engine and the tender and so badly burned that he died in about thirty minutes after he was taken out of the wreck. The brakeman, who was badly injured, lives at Eagle Grove, and is a brother of Operator Cross, formerly in the employ of the Northwestern.

February 19, 1898
Waterloo Daily Courier - Waterloo, Iowa

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An appalling calamity happened at Hubbard, on the Tama branch of the Northern Iowa Division, last Thursday evening at about 10:15, by which the lives of two of our well-known citizens were almost instantly sacrificed and the railroad company sustained a loss of many dollars in damaged engines, demolished cars, etc. But the appalling feature was the cruel and horrible death of Engineer Louie E. Hollander and Fireman W. E. Osborne. Brakeman W. E. Cross was likewise much hurt. He too had a very narrow escape from the lamentable fate that befell his less fortunate train comrades.

A few minutes after the collision brief details were flashed into the railway offices in this city, and as soon as possible a train was dispatched to Hubbard, conveying officials of the road, the friends of the unfortunate men, the wrecking crew, and their attendant appliances for such an emergency.

It did not require very long for the pitiful news to spread throughout the city, and with what profound sorrow it was received. It touched a sympathetic chord in each heart and at once threw a gloom over our people that they yet feel and will for many days to come. The details of the terrible affair are about as follows:

The trains in the collision were freights, Nos. 23 north bound and 20 south bound, and both pulled by two locomotives, or what are commonly denominated by the railroad people as "doubleheaders". They were both behind time but were given orders from the offices here to meet and pass at Hubbard. No. 23 was due at Hubbard at 5 p.m., according to schedule time, and No. 20 not until 8:50 p.m., nearly four hours later. But at 10:05 No. 23, going north, pulled into the station and stopped at the depot. Her crew was Engineer Carney and Fireman Bass on engine 405, Engineer Schoonover and Fireman Stowe on the 323, with Conductor Holley in charge of the train, assisted by Brakemen George Moore and John Lamont.

Waiting a few minutes No. 20, going south, was seen approaching. Her crew consisted of Engineer Cobb and Fireman Keith on the first engine, the 200, and Engineer Hollander and Fireman Osborne on the 370 following, with Conductor Belt in charge and Brakemen Cross and Dodge assisting.

The engineers had diminished the speed as they approached town and the train was coming into the station at from 8 to 10 miles per hour, and as was supposed, it was to head into the switch and thus pass the north bound train without stopping. But unaccountably the switch was not turned, and the train followed the main track instead. Engineer Cobb did not notice this until too late. He reversed his engine immediately, applied the air brakes and let sand onto the rails, making every effort to stop. It was useless however, and the collision ensued. But the doomed men, Messrs. Hollander and Osborne, in the cab behind, were not aware of the impending danger, or perhaps they might have jumped and saved themselves. They could not see ahead on account of the engine in front; besides it was dark, and they went to their death without a moments warning. And what a death it was. It beggars description. The stoutest hearts turn sick at even a thought of the spectacle. The trains were only a few rods apart. There was no time to think, let alone act. The tremendous crash came, made almost irresistible by the long row of moving cars that was following.

The horror was over in an instant, but oh, at what a fearful cost to human life and property. All about lay the debris of engines and cars and in the wreck were three men. The others, fortunately, had had time to save their lives by jumping. Yet they were paralyzed for a few minutes, and can it be wondered at? But they rallied and sprang to aid their less fortunate comrades. Engineer Hollander was not instantly killed, but he only lived until 12:30 that night. He was found on his seat with his eyes looking straight ahead. He had a broken leg, was severely scalded and had internal injuries from which it was impossible to rally. Fireman Osborne was killed at once. He was off his seat, with his face toward the tender. It might have been he was just going to renew the fire. No one can tell. But the quivering form looked terrible when taken from the cab. Both legs were burned oil, and he was so scalded, blackened, and disfigured, recognition was impossible. Some of the flesh dropped from the bones, it was so cooked. Can pen or the imagination describe what his sufferings must have been?

The momentum tipped the front end of this engine upward and thus the tender following was run into the cab and crowded the men against the boiler head and as it was broken, the hot steam and water poured out over them. Even if they had not been otherwise injured, they could not have escaped, as they were pinned fast, and thus it could be almost truthfully said, both were literally roasted alive.

Brakeman Cross was on top of the train when the collision occurred and the crash, as singular as it appears, threw him into a wrecked car loaded with oats; and it was lucky it was so, for the oats broke the fall and probably saved his life. Here he was found by Brakeman Lamont with only his hands sticking out of the oats. But he was quite badly hurt and will be off duty some time.

Friday morning Mr. Cross was taken to Gifford to be nursed and cared for while the remains of Mr. Hollander and Mr. Osborne were brought to Eagle Grove; and when they arrived at about 9 a.m. a large number of sympathetic friends were at the depot. In solemn silence they were taken from the train. Only a few hours previously they left home in health and full of vigor. Now they were being brought back burned, maimed, disfigured, lifeless, cold in death. The horror of the calamity struck home to every living heart and many tears fell at the sad spectacle.

The remains were, as soon as possible, placed in caskets ready for burial. The accident temporarily suspended business in town. All day Friday it was so. Knots of people could be seen in the stores, the public places and on the streets, discussing the lamentable affair.

The funeral services did not take place until Sunday. At 9 o'clock Sunday morning that of Fireman W. E. Osborne was held at the M. E. church, the pastor, Rev. Southwell, preaching an affecting discourse. A double quartette furnished the music, L. P. Eversz rendering a solo entitled, "He giveth His beloved sleep." The pall bearers were Oscar Schoonover, J. H. Howell, James Steadman, C. Jones, W. E. Stowe, and E. A. Hall. The floral offerings were a wreath from Mrs. Peter Kerr, of Sioux City, a crescent from the Ladies' Auxiliary and a pillow from the Brotherhood, of which order Mr. Osborne was a member.

The deceased was 33 years of age. He was born at Ocheyedan in 1805, and for six years had been braking or firing for the Northwestern. Last fall he was promoted and given an engine to run, but during slack time was firing again. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Page Osborne live at Ocheyedan, Iowa. Also, an unmarried and a married sister, Mrs. Wm. Aldred. In this city he leaves a fond and loving wife bowed down in deepest sorrow, and three little daughters aged 6, 8, and l0 years respectively. The burial took place at Rose Hill, and the relatives at Ocheyedan and an uncle from Sioux City were present at the funeral.

Mr. Osborne carried $1500 life insurance in Standard Accident, the policy of which was given to Mrs. Osborne on the same day he was killed. He formerly held a policy with the Brotherhood, but for some reason had let it lapse.

Who was to blame for the terrible wreck that brought death to these two excellent, kindhearted men, and to almost a third and ruined so much railroad property, the GAZETTE does not know? But the horror and sorrow of it all ought to teach a lesson that will never be forgotten by those engaged in running and managing railway trains. The men generally seem to reluctantly run these "double headers." There is much opposition to them all over the division, but whether this accident will stop the practice, remains to be seen. Nor does the GAZETTE know there is more danger to life and limb where two engines pull a train instead of one. But it does seem certain that in this particular instance, if only one engine had been used, the men killed could have seen their peril and saved themselves by jumping. As it was, they could not see. They simply rode blindly into the very jaws of almost sure destruction.

BOONE VALLEY GAZETTE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, February 24, 1898

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[born in Shortsville, Ontario county, New York; died Hubbard, Iowa; married Etta Mae Spencer on 1 December 1886 in O'Brien County, Iowa]