Are you aware, there were TWO train disasters at the Platte River crossing? The first was noted here, but according to other history books, not much later, a large force of Union Troops were taking a train to St. Joseph, and when the train reached the fallen bridge, the troops proceded to build a pontoon bridge across the river to cross.
The river supposedly was at a high level, and while the makeshift pontoon bridge was packed with crossing solders and some of their family members, a large tree came washing down the river, crashed into the fragile bridge, throwing scores of people into the swift current, thus again, several lives were lost.