The Copper Mines Branch of the WP&YR

The Weekly Star - Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Friday, March 22, 1918

    A lamentable accident, in which two human lives were lost, took place on the Macrae spur to the copper mines in the Whitehorse district shortly before 1 o'clock p. m. Monday, March 18. The victims were Edward J. Barry and A. J. Collison, engineer and pilot respectively on a White Pass rotary snow plow, pushed by two engines, which was clearing the railroad track between Macrae and the Pueblo mine of snow. The fatality occurred half a mile north of mile post No. 8 on the spur, and two miles south of the Pueblo mine, and was caused by the rotary running upon a snow-covered glacier, turning over on its side and breaking its coupling with the following locomotive and sliding to the bottom of a ten foot embankment.

    There were four people on board at the time of the accident, viz.: Supt. V. 1. Hahn, Engineer Ed. J. Barry, Pilot A. J. Collison and Fireman Wm. Flynn. When the rotary commenced to tip Supt. Hahn, who was standing directly behind Collison, and Fireman Flynn, who was on the engineer's side, both made for the openings on the upper side of the rotary and sprang to the ground, and both of them landed without injury. Collison, who jumped from the lower side of the rotary and Barry, who had no chance to extricate himself, were both over-whelmed by steam escaping from a broken pipe of the rotary. Collison was so badly scalded he died a few minutes after being placed on the train that brought his body to Whitehorse and Barry died at the Whitehorse General hospital at 5:55 o'clock on the evening of the 18th. He was conscious until the last.

    Section foreman Chris Compton and a gang of eight or ten men had come down from Pennington Sunday and were at the place when the accident happened. They were of great assistance in getting the injured men out and carrying them to the car that brought them to Whitehorse.

    Police Magistrate J. Langlois Bell, acting coroner, after investigation decided it unnecessary to have an inquest, but held an inquiry into the matter on the afternoon of the 18th, at which the following testimony was given:

    V. I, Hahn - The rotary was going along the Macrae spur at the rate of from one to two miles an hour, clearing track of snow, which was about a foot and a half deep at a point half a mile north of mile post 8 on the spur. When I felt the rotary jump, thought she might be derailed. Collison, the pilot, pulled the emergency air valve while Iwas standing directly behind him. Stepped to door to see if she was off the track, and noticed the machine skidding a little. When it began to tip leaped out of the door, landing in the snow on the upper side. Regaining my feet, saw the rotary had rolled over on its side and broken loose from locomotive. Immediately rushed around back of tank to lower side and climbed in through the coal pit of tender, hoping to reach the engineer, but there was so much steam I could not see. Then made my way out onto the track again and asked some one to call the men up. We went back to the lower side, hoping we might reach engineer through ventilator. In the meantime, men had come up and had gotten out both Collison and Barry. This was at 12:45 p.m. on the 18th, and Collison, although unconscious, was still breathing. We placed both the injured men on board a train and came to Whitehorse as quick as possible, but Collison died before we reached Macrae station.

    C. J. Rapuzzi - Was fireman on the first engine in rear of rotary. Noticed rotary lift a little on one side before tipping over. Made way into rotary through door at top of pilot house. When steam cleared and heat grew less, found Collison on his knees trying to loosen his shirt collar. Smashed a hole through the roof of rotary and with the help of others dragged Collison out. I was not present when Collison died.

    Victor Sparks - Was fireman on second locomotive of rotary fleet. Did not see rotary go off track, but as soon as I learned of accident left locomotive and ran to the window of the pilot house of rotary. Could not see anything. Tried to tear sash of window off so as to get inside. At this moment saw Barry's arm come up through steam. Grabbed his arm and pulled him up through window. He helped himself some and got out on my shoulder, and being small I was able to hold him. The wheel of the rotary was turning full speed at the time and I told him to wait until someone came to help me. He said, "All right." Held him there for a moment when a section man came and helped me drag him out. Others came and aided in getting him up to the track and from the track to the baggage car. Barry said he had difficulty in breathing when he came out of the steam.

    Dr. Clarke, medical attendant, stated that both men died from shock and injury to the respiratory tract, caused by the inhalation of super-heated steam.

    The late Engineer E. J. Barry was a veteran in the service of the W. P. & Y. R., and in efficiency one of its most valued employes. At the time of his death he was about 40 years of age. Before the occurrence of an accident several years ago, whereby he lost one of his feet, he was an all-round athlete of more than ordinary ability. Since becoming partially disabled therefrom, has been known far and wide as the best baseball umpire in the northland. The innumerable friends and acquaintances he made since coming to Alaska will hear of his death with regret and sympathy for those whom he leaves behind. He is survived by his mother, and sister, Mrs. Pat Murray, both living in Whitehorse, and several brothers whose names and place of residence we do not know.

    A. J. Collison, about 35 years of age, was a Canadian by birth and a boyhood friend of Frank McPhee of this place. He had been in the employ of the W. P. & Y. R. as brakeman for the past three years. Except that he was a steady, industrious man, and well liked by his associates, we are not familiar with his life. He leaves a wife and four children, the eldest of whom is a daughter, 14 years of age, at the family home in Skagway.

    Both bodies were shipped to Skagway on Tuesday morning's train, where services were held yesterday over the remains of E. J. Barry. Collison's body will be shipped to Seattle for interment.

    Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Murray accompanied by Miss Katherine Ryan, went over to be present at the last sad rites for the departed.