The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-11-18
Terrible Railroad Calamity at Iahanoy
City, Penn.

MAIrASoY CRY, November 1G.-A ter
rible accident occurred at this place about
three o'clock this afternoon. A short
time before that hour the small engine
Gem, which is combination OF a passen-
ger car and engine, and which isused by
j. II. schansen, Superintendent OF the Ma
hanoy and Shamokin Division oi the
Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, in
carrying him and other officers from ono
point to another through the coal regions,
arrived at the depot, where it stopped,
and Mr.. Olhausen went into the telegraph
office to transact some business. While
there the engine exploded with fearful re-
suits, carrying death and destruction in its
path, the result being three persons kill
ed instantly, and five others being badly
injured. Mr.. Olhauscn had just entered
the telegraph office, and hearing an un-
usual noise, US OF escaping steam from the
engine, he and tho telegraph operator as
suined a reclining posture, as they had an
idea that danger was coming.
Almost the same instant q terrible ex-
plosion was heard, and in minutes time
the engine was blown to pieces.
The engineer, W. Frank Boscius, was
thrown fully fifty feet over the depot into
cut along the railroad, his body1being lit
orally torn to pieces, his head and arms be-
ing blown entirely oil. ..
Jacob Trout, conductor, living in Tama-
qua, was sitting on the depot platform,
and was struck by flying piece OF iron,
and instantly killed. His body was picked
up about thirty feet from where he was
standing, with his head and body mashed
in terrible manner. He leaves wife
and seven children.
On the platform were quite number OF
children looking ut the engine, among
them being Willie Wenrcck, George and
Horace Hagenbach and Calvin Tut, their
ages being from eight to fifteen years
These latter children were found after the
explosion in bunch between the depot
and telegraph office, completely buried
with the flying debris. They were taken
to their homes, where short time after
the boy Lutz died after suffering terribly
agony. The little fellow Wenrech's head
was blown entirely of. Geo. Hagenbachs
skull was broken, from the effect of which
he died at six o'clock this evening. His
little brother Horace was terribly hurt
about the head, and is not expected to
live.
The fireman, Richard Finley, who was
standing on the engine minute or two
before the explosion, stepped down to ex-
anime something about the engine, when
he was thrown about twenty-five feet and
escaped with slight scalp wounds.
A man named Mercer, OF Philadelphia,
standing at the depot waiting for a passen-
ger train, had his leg badly injured.
Charles Conrad, young man, was
slightly injured by flying missiles.
The explosion damaged the roof and
other parts OF the depot very much, while
the engine was blown to pieces. The cx-
element here over this sad affair is terri
Bile. The fathers and mothers Of the little
innocents who were so MANNED and
killed give vent to their feelings in tears Of
anguish. The bodies OF Engineer Brascius
and Conductor Trout were taken to their
homes at Tamaqua and alahanoy Planes:
The rest OF the killed and badly wounded
reside here. This is the third time Mr.,
Ollauser has narrowly escaped death
while riding in this little engine, 1t having
twice jumped the track while lie was on
board. The cause OF the explosion was
the blowing out OF the back sheet OF the
boiler. The Coroner will hold an inquest
on the bodies OF the victims tomorrow.