A tragedy for migratory workers and the I.W.W. as a packed train bringing hands to work the South Dakota harvest derails near Mitchell. Hurling the precarious passengers to injury and death, many were card-carrying members of the I.W.W.’s Agricultural Workers Organization. Dozens were killed and wounded, with no exact figures reliable, there are reports of between three and ten wobblies killed. Below are the facts, along with the names of known victims.

‘Terrible Accident in South Dakota’ by E.N. Osborne from Industrial Worker. (new) Vol. 1 No. 17. August 5, 1916.

List of Dead and Injured I.W.W. Members; Everything Possible Done for Injured.

MITCHELL, S.D. Three members of the I.W.W. are dead and a large number are injured as the result of a terrible accident which occurred at Trip on Sunday, July 23rd. A train loaded with harvesters was going at a high speed when the engine was uncoupled and the entire center of the train piled up as the result.

DEAD:

Clarence Sanquist of Jena, Ill; card No. 243765.

Nelias Spayde, Mariah Hill, Ill; card lost.

James French, home unknown, card lost.

THE INJURED:

Clyov, slightly injured; card lost. John P. Miles, slightly injured; card No. 243764. E.S. Rose, delegate No. 225, sprained shoulder; card No. 196863. Wm. Lyons, slightly injured, card No. 194,990. Ole Cuter, card lost, slightly injured. Roy Morgan, fractured rib, card No. 235,621 John Dacho, broken legs; card No. 243795. H. Phillips, broken legs; card 232985. Wm. Penison, ribs broken, both legs broken, card lost in wreck. J. Polk, ankle and shoulder sprained; card No. 220,786. Frank Malish, bruised hips; card No. 236073. Gus Johnson, sprained neck; card lost. Harold Harzell, face and arm injured; card No. 243655.

John Charvat, fractured skull; card lost. James Grimisch, broken arm; card 243316. Gus Johnson, broken arm, Rockford Local; card lost. Roy Yellig, broken ribs; card lost. Frank Hughes, legs broken; card No. 232,486. Wm. Ransom, both legs broken; card No. 226277. Don Posquale, internal injuries; card No. 243791. John Weaver, broken arm; card No. 236,225. Wm. Brown, both legs broken; card No. 195,461. Frank Collins, neck and wrist injured; card No. 243,611. Thos. Collier, foot injured; card No. 241,611. Chas. Heller, both legs broken; card lost.

The killed and injured were brought to Trip, where the injured were being giver every medical attention. There being no hospital, the depot was put into shape for that use. Beds and bedding was provided and the women in the town did everything possible for the injured, under the direction of competent doctors. Everything that, could possibly be done for patients was done. The I.W.W. sent some of its members to see that all the needs of the fellow workers were met and everything was done for their convenience and comfort.

The railway company subsequently furnished a train consisting of one day coach for those who were able to, with agony, sit up; and a filthy box car for those who were badly injured or dying, and brought them to the hospital at Yanktown.

E.N. Osborne.

The Industrial Union Bulletin, and the Industrial Worker were newspapers published by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) from 1907 until 1913. First printed in Joliet, Illinois, IUB incorporated The Voice of Labor, the newspaper of the American Labor Union which had joined the IWW, and another IWW affiliate, International Metal Worker.The Trautmann-DeLeon faction issued its weekly from March 1907. Soon after, De Leon would be expelled and Trautmann would continue IUB until March 1909. It was edited by A. S. Edwards. 1909, production moved to Spokane, Washington and became The Industrial Worker, “the voice of revolutionary industrial unionism.”

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