Note: This memorial was origianlly created Oct 29, 2008 but was merged in 2012 with Clyde Cahail also buried here who died in 1908. So I had to create another one.

The Leavenworth Echo - June 7, 1907

A TRAGIC CO-INCIDENT

Two Men Killed at Same Spot in the Same Manner on Same Engine in the Past Three Years

A west-bound freight train in charge of William Mackey and Fireman Clyde Cahail ran onto a rock three and a half miles up the canyon last Monday night. The accident occurred between 9 and 10 o'clock, within 200 feet of the spot where John McGurty was killed three years ago. McGurty, it will be remembered, was thrown into the river and his body found some two weeks after the accident. The accident the, as now, resulted from the same cause. Though in the McGurty incident the rock rolled down broke a piece out of the rail.

In the indent of Monday night the engine, No. 1154, was thrown from the track and turned over, the front end going into the water. The tender and two or three cars left the track, but did not turn over. Engineer Mackey jumped and escaped with but slight bruises. Clyde Cahail either jumped or was thrown into the river. Wednesday morning four or five experienced river men, employed by the railway company, went to the scene to make an effort to recover the body of Cahail.

A brakeman by the name of H. L. Ashbaugh was riding on the engine and remained in the cab when it turned over. He received a number of cuts and bruises, but had no bones broken. We are told by a number of people who were at the scene that it is inconceivable how Ashbaugh escaped with his life. He was taken to the Everett hospital the following day.

The fact that the train was going up hill and running at a low rate of speed accounts for the slight damage to the rolling stock. Trains were delayed for ten or twelve hours.

Cahail had lived here for the past two years and formerly worked at the sawmill. Two brothers survive him.