TABB, James

JAMES TABB [1910 Jan 20 Gilpin Observer] WRECK ON THE TRAM ——— James Tabb is Killed Outright When Cars Leave the Track. ——— James Tabb, a resident of Black Hawk and a fireman in the employ of the Gilpin tram, was killed outright Monday evening when two cars upon which he was riding left the rails at a point about 200 feet from the tramway round house. The accident occurred shortly after seven o'clock. Tabb had started with tow cars filled with concentrates from the Anderson mill on Winnebago hill. These cars had been detached from the train and were being run from the mill to the ore house in Black Hawk by gravity. Tabb was on the cars setting the brakes. It is three miles from the Anderson mill to the ore house in Black Hawk and the distance had been covered, all but making one curve. There were no witnesses to the accident but it is the supposition that the cars got beyond control and were going too fast when the curve was struck to be checked by the hand brakes. There is a high wall or bank where the two cars left the rails. Both cars went down the bank. Tabb was thrown fully 25 feet from here the cars jumped. The mangled condition of his body when found would indicate that the cars were going at a very high speed when the accident occurred. Dan Williams, who lives across the creek from where the derailment occurred was the first to learn of the accident. He was at the wreck a few moments after it happened. He saw the body of Tabb and pulled it from beneath a car. The body was removed to the round house. Tuesday morning a coroner's jury was impaneled and an inquest was held. Dan Williams was the first witness and told about being the first to arrive at the scene of the accident; also about removing the body. Ray Thompson, brakeman on the tram, said the last he saw of Tabb was at 6:30, at the water tank at the head of Eureka street. He was braking on the train following the two cars that Tabb was on and didn't see the accident. Ernest Klein, engineer for whom Tabb fired, said the dead man left the engine to “let the two cars down” and that was the last he saw of him alive. John Tierney, another engineer testified as to the condition of the track at the point where the cars jumped and said it was in good condition; shortly after the accident he passed over it with an engine and several cars. James Winchell, night watch at the tram round house, told of assisting in the removal of the body from the wreck. Louis Pircher, foreman of the tram, said he thought the accident was due to the cars going too fast, which prevented them from making the curve. Dr. Froid testified as to the condition of the body of Tabb when he arrived, a short time after the accident. He said he found the body disemboweled, neck broken, leg broken and numerous bruises. After the evidence of the witnesses had been taken, the jury found they could not reach a verdict on the testimony adduced and decided to go to the scene of the derailment and learn more of the cause of the accident. They went to Black Hawk Tuesday afternoon and made an examination of the tram track and cars and upon their return to Central, brought in the following verdict: “We find that James Tabb came to his death on January 17th, 1910 at the round house in Black Hawk, Gilpin county, Colorado, through an accident caused by runaway cars on the Gilpin railroad, and said accident was caused by the carelessness of the company by not providing for the safety of its employees.” James Tabb was 31 years and 11 months of age and single. He was born in Black Hawk and while growing into manhood in this county held the esteem of a long list of friends. He leaves a brother, Frank, residing in Black Hawk, and from his residence the funeral was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock. Central City lodge of Elks, of which order deceased was a member, conducted the services. The remains were laid to rest in the Odd Fellows' cemetery.