Unlucky railroader involved in two wrecks

Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad covered bridge near 1925 Market Street over Bear Creek. Taken 1903 by Anna Schnitzlein.

Archie Hayden has followed this thread and finds it a very fascinating story. He wrote:

"One of the men on the crew was injured and was off for some time. When he was finally healthy enough to resume work he marked up and on his very first trip back he was involved in a head on collision between the H&St Jo and the old Wabash. I bet he was wondering if railroading might be a nice former occupation. To add interest to the story a small trunk of jewelry being shipped on the baggage car that followed the engine into the creek was lost in the water. For months on end the local boys scoured Bear Creek looking for the lost trunk, mainly for the big reward since the value was about $15,000. The actual spot where the bridge failed was over Minnow Branch a few hundred feet before crossing Bear Creek. This was right behind Anna Schnitchlien"s home on Market Street Look about 2 inches to left of covered bridge and you can see the trestle work of Minnow Branch."