The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-01-29
Terrible COllisiOni
TWO MEN KILLED, AND THREE ~
tURED. .-FULL ACCOUNT!

TWO MEN KILLED, AND THREE IN
tURED FULL ACCOUNT!
From the Cameron County Press
Last Wednesday afternoon, at l:l0
o'clock two freight trains collided on
the Philadelphia and Erie Road, near
the coal shutcs about a mile west of
Cameron.
An extra freight train was made up
at Emporium and started east imme-
dlately after the arrival OF the Mail
train ut the Junction, with orders to
run to Cameron and take the siding at
that place. The operator at Cameron
received orders to hold express west at
Cameron.
THE s;GSAL.
The signal is out at all times.
Trains Mt that point, before reaching
the station, blow for orders. II there
are orders the signal remains out and
the train stops; if there are no orders
the operator pulls in the signal and
the train proceeds.
CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.
On this occasion, as the western
bound freight train approached and
whistled for orders, the operator in
voluntarily (probably from force OF
habit as there are comparatively few
orders at that station,) pulled in the
signal and the train proceeded on its
way. Mr.. Herron's tthe opcrator's)
wife had been seriously i'll and at the
time he pulled in the signal was talk
ing with n lady about his wiie's i'll
ness, which probably took his atten-
ton from his duties and caused the
mistake.
THE CRASH!
49, the trains reached the curve
near the coal shutea they coliided with
terrible crash, destroying both en-
gnes and about dozen cars The
engineer and fireman on the western
bound train did not see the extra and
were caught in the wreck. The men
on the extra going east fortunately saw
the other train and saved themselves
by jumping.
THE KILLED AND INJURED.
Christian Dean, engineer, foot burned
his leg near the ankle since been
amputated.
Edward Nixon, fireman, died q few
hours after the accident.
james Grace, brealman, head in
Iiured-dicd Friday morning.
I,adc J. Kissel, breallman, back and
head hurts doing we'll,
Mr.. McAvoy, brcakman, slightly
injured about the head.
THE OPERATOR.
! Will l.. Heron, who made the terri
bic mistake is one of the oldest and
best operators on the road, having
been in the employ Of P. d j.. Com
pany us operator eleven years, and
! heretofore has been perfect in his
w0rh. Mr.. Heron is a gentleman OF
correct habits, always attentive to bus
mess, and respected by everybody.
! He III formed Us that when he pulled
! in the signal he was not conscious OF
! the terrible mistake he was making;
| did not remember the ordereven when
the train went laundering by his OF
! flee. and the awful fuct that he had
| neglected his orders to hold the train
! flashed upon his mind when the train
! had pa3sed-too late to stop ii.
Whe-mi5take is one OF those unac-
countahle transactions that OCCASION
ally happen to the most efficient
railroad employees. Every human
being is liable to make mistakes, bat Il
mistake Of this character is fatal. Or
course Mr.. Heron keenIy feels the
responsibility Of the act; the suffering
he endures is pittiaOie, ana ne has the
warmest sympathy Of our best citi-
zems. His Good record and excellent
character is worth everything i'll this
trying hour.