Logging has always been a hazardous profession, and the Red River Lumber Company was not immune.   On the evening of October 11, 1929, a logging train coming down the grade from Warner Valley derailed two miles from Chester. The train consisted of sixteen cars that left the track cascading fifty feet down into a ravine. Three of the four train crew—George Brooks, J.A. McConnell and E.D. Burt—perished in the wreck. G.B. Kale, the rear brakeman was thrown from the caboose, sparing his life. He literally did have the wind knocked out of him, but recovered in time to prevent a second wreck. A second train was following and the lantern from the caboose was lying along the track. Kale was able to flag the other train to stop or otherwise it would have jumped the rails and met the horrible fate of its predecessor.

Subscribe