On This Date in Minnesota History: March 27

March 27, 1911 – Passenger train No. 44 on the Great Western road from the Twin Cities was wrecked five miles from Cannon Falls shortly at 10 this morning. Engineer A. J. Wheeler of Mankato, was severely injured, the baggage man and mail clerk received slight cuts, and fully 75 passengers were badly shaken up and frightened.

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It is feared Engineer Wheeler was internally injured as the engine cab and tender jackknifed as the locomotive left the track. His right leg was broken below the knee and his lower limbs scalded by escaping steam, while he was held in his cab unable extricate himself. He also received a heavy cut across the abdomen and bad cuts about the face and head. He was removed to Red Wing on a special train at 2 this afternoon.

Water running from the tank into the engine cab was all that saved the engineer from being scalded to death.

Fireman John Manning escaped injury by jumping.

The locomotive and combination mail and baggage coach left the rails.

When news of the wreck was received in Red Wing, a special train was hurriedly made up and the company’s staff of physicians was sent to the scene. Drs. Conley, Cremer and Goldberg of Cannon Falls were also summoned.

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A wrecking crew from Red Wing left for Cannon Falls at noon.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Mankato Engineer Hurt When Train is Derailed. Besides Injuries He is Pinned in Cab and Badly Scalded—Two Receive Cuts. Locomotive and Combination Coach Leave the Rails Near Cannon Falls, Minn.”; March 28, 1911; p. 1.
¹http://www.lakesnwoods.com/CannonFalls.htm

²http://www.musicinminnesota.com/red-wing-gears-big-turn-winter-music-festival/

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