On October 4 1902, there was a "frightful collision" in Milton. A Passenger train ran into a freight train. Two were left dead, one was severely injured.
"Passenger Train No. 9 Running at a High Speed Bangs Into Freight Train No 99, with Disastrous Results" read the headline of the Lewisburg Chronicle.
"One of the most disastrous wrecks that ever took place in this vicinity occurred between Vine and Center streets about 1:30 am on the P. And E. Railroad" Reported the Miltonian.
Engineer James H. Wheeland of Harrisburg, and Conductor Edward C. Stringer of Northumberland were killed. Fireman Bert Shaffer of Sunbury was in serious condition at the Mary Packer hospital, a week later.
The Freight train had left Sunbury between 12:30 and 1:30 am, with a small train of 16 cars and a caboose. Upon arrival in Milton, the train was stopped "preparatory to do some shifting". The train was cut, leaving 11 cars on one of the side tracks, and the engine with the five remaining cards was sent up the new track to place the cars at the Milton Freight station.
Meanwhile, Passenger Train No 9, "The Erie Express" was coming through, due at Milton at 1:44. This was one of the fastest trains "on the road" at the time, making no stops at all between Harrisburg and Sunbury. After passing Montandon and nearing Milton, Conductor Eyre notified engineer Wheeland to stop at Milton. But as WHeeland passed the 11 cars, including the caboose, he believed the track to be clear, not realizing that another part of the train was on the main track.
Running at a high rate of speed, the express crashed into the freight train, throwing the engine over on its side, and rolling over a distance of 100 feet, tearing the track all along the line.
When the engine went over, the tank and the express car (a sealed car next to the tank) piled up on the engine, burying the engineer and fireman under the debris.
The second car next to the engine was a baggage car, in the charge of Peter Philips. That car was badly shattered and thrown over the bank. Philips, the baggagemaster, had a narrow escape from death. After realizing there had been a collision, he left the car and started to run ahead of the wreck, falling into a culvert, but was lucky enough to escape serous injury.
A number of passengers were asleep on the train when it crashed. Many were thrown from their seats, and some received slight bruises, but none were seriously injured. The passenger coaches did not leave the track.
Freight and passenger crews rushed to the scene, and immediately began a search to ascertain who may be caught in the wreckage. The groans of Fireman Shaffer were soon heard, from beneath the coal. Badly injured, with injuries including a fractured skull and crushed arm, he was rushed to Mary Packer hospital.
The body of Engineer Wheeland was soon located, and it was believed death had been instantaneous for him. Conductor Stringer was found lying in the middle of the track. It was assumed that he had been riding between the two cars when the passenger train struck them.
A relief train was sent from Williamsport.
As the sun rose, the full extent of the damage was revealed. "The freight cars were almost reduced to a mass of splinters and twisted iron.
Shaeffer's arm was amputated at the shoulder, but he recovered and lived many more years.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I'll read the comments and approve them to post as soon as I can! Thanks for stopping by!