The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-07-28
RAILROAD WRECK.
A Passenger Train on the G., b. & Q.
Runs Into Freight Train.
Several Men Injured-HOw it Happened.
A BAD AFFAIR.

A BAD AFFAIR.
Railroading is risky business, and the
men that follow it are likely at any min
ute to be dashed into eternity. An accl-
dent occurred on the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy road last night, which severely
injured several men, but no one was
killed Passenger train No. 4, which left
Rock Island at s o'clock last evening, was
in charge of Conductor De Groat, with
John Murrin, as engineer Freight train
No. 10, Conductor Cummings, leftyester-
day afternoon. Vermont is station lO9
miles from Rock Island, where No. 10 side
tracks to let the passenger train pass 1t
is also point of meeting for the two night
passengers. The freight train arrived
at the station, as usual, and went on the
sidetrack The passenger train was not far
behind Engineer Murrin noticed the
switch light was out, but seeing the lights
at the end of the caboose of the freight
train, thought everything was all right.
and went ahead at the usual speed. But
what was his CONSERVATION when he saw
his engine turn from the main track.
Then the awful truth flashed across his
mind, that the
| II
Murrin closed the throttle and jumped
from the engine just as it struck the
caboose with tremendous crash The
passengers were thrown two or three seats
forward, and were well shaken up. The
scared look on many of their faces showed
that many expected to be sent to eternity
right there.
The fireman and the occupants of the
caboose did not fare so well, however
In the caboose were two brakemen and
passenger The engine went against
the freight train with such force that the
crown sheet was knocked out, and the
boiling water and steam was sent in every
direction. The fireman whose name is
Clutchie. was terribly scalded, and was il
excruciating pain when discovered. Tho
brakemen in the eaboose were also badly
scalded The passengerin the caboose was
Ed. Lutkemeyer, brother of the Singer
sewing machine agent in this city. 1t i!
reported that h. inhaled some of TIT
steam and is in dangerous condition
Engineer Murrin broke some of the bone!
of his foot by leaping, but saved himsel
from the red hot bath TO which the fire
man was subjected. He was brought
back to this city this morning. He is {
son of Mr.. Edward Murrin, who keeps 4
saloon at 21O0 Fourth avenue, The othel
men who were injured were all taken tt
Beardstown,
| THE BLAME.
Ii was the place of the brakeman OF thu
freight train to close the switch, and by
failing to perform the duties assigned him
the wreck occurred
! OUT OF PAIN.
Word was received over the wires from
Beardstown about II o'clock this morn
iGg, that George Clutchie the fireman
who was so badly scalded, had died from
his injuries His home was at Boards
town. The other men are in very pre-
carious condition, and it is doubtful
whether they will all survive. Train mer
who arrived from the scene this morning
say the men were scalded so that the
flesh fairly peeled off them.
Later accounts from the scene of the
wreck state that the switch had been tam
pered with. 1t was proven that the brake
man had closed it, which exonorates him
from blame An investigation is being
held by the railway officials, and it j:
altogether probable that some develop
ments will be made