The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-10-09
Excursion Train wreeked-Forty.tWo
Persons Killed.

Bosrox, October s.-A serious accident
occurred on the old colony Railroad u
crowded excursion train which was re
turning from the Silver Lake rowing
match between Reagon, OF Boston, and
Davis, OF Portland. The train OF twenty
cars went off the track. Rumors report
forty.two persons killed and Reagon, the
boatSman, fatally injured.
A dispatch Just received at the police
headquarters places the number at 10
killed and $50 injured.
BosroS, October SAN accident on the
Old Colony Railroad occurred between
Atlantic and Willaston Heights about 7
O'Clock this morning. The scene OF the
accident is about seven miles from Boston,
and as soon as the news reached the city
q large number OF cots and stretchers
were sent out by the city officials. At mid
night no intelligent account has been re-
ceiyed, bat it Is known that at least ten
were killed and about one hundred
wounded in greater or less degree. The
train to which the accident happened was
the one returning from Silver Lake, COM
posed OF twenty-five cars and engine, car
rying about $500 persons who had been
out TO witness the race between Reagan
and Davis. The train was not going at q
high rate OF speed, perhaps twenty miles
an hour. Il is not yet positively known
what was the cause ofthe accident, but is
stated that the freight train had not
been switched off 10 make way for the ex.
cursion train, and as the accident occurred
at this switch, there IS reasonable suppo-
sition that it had not been properly locked.
Both engines jumped the track, and went
over an embankment, total wrecks, bat
the engineers and fremen escaped death.
At least FIVE cars were wrecked, including
the baggage car and four passenger coach
es. Among the latter was IN English
coach, in which were many oarsmen and
newspaper men. These cars were piled
upon each other, and the wonder Is that
the loss OF life was not greater.
Patrick Reagan, the loser OF the race to-
day, was sitting with Mrs. Faulkner, wife
OF his old boating partner, and both were
killed. Chas. Il. Morgan, son Of the editor
Of the Erpreas, was killed. Among the
injured are the wife Of the Cambridge
boat builder; VIM. Blake, Geo. Kfmball,
OF the Associated press; Walter Stafford,
reporter Of the Erpna; Mike Mahoney,
OF the Shawamnt crew, and two OF Gen.
Buffers sons, who are reported seriously
hurt. g uH, l-l aai 20
1t is stated that James Flynn, Manager
OF the Silver Lake Regatta, is fatally hurt.
The list OF killed, 50 far as known, are
as follows: Stephen Grady, East Boston;
J. A. Hasey, Boston Express; Chas. Nor.
gan, ditto; Mr.. White, South Boston; John
Day, Cambridge; Michael Clafiey, Boston;
Patrick Reagan, Boston; Mrs. Faulkner
and child; also Reagan's father-in-law,
name not yet known.
The cause OF the disaster on the old Col.
ony Railroad this afternoon is now ex.
planned by the statement OF Chas. West.
gate, engineer on the leading locomotive
on the wrecked train. He says while
leaving Willaston station, while travelling
a. the rate OF 20 miles per hour, and when
about quarter OF mile on this side o.
WillastOn he saw about three hundred
yards ahead the freight train running
onto the main track from the siding
and he instantly whistled down brakes
and reversed the engine. He and hi
tiremen, Dennison, stayed on the engine
and when It struck the car both vert
thrown of. Dennison was badly scalded,
Westgalte claims that he did all in his power
to stop the train but had the right OF way
and the switch was all right. He did moi
expect TO see the freight car so suddenly
emerge from the siding which i
very seldom used on the old Colony
road. All the trains run 70 the left
instead Of the right as is the custom or
the other roads, and the freight ear wa
being switched upon the right track and
had nearly crossed when the accident oc
Cured. Further returns from the scent
state that later additions TO the list o.
killed will raise the number to twenty-five
or more.