Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-19
COLLISION OF TRAINS.
Terrible Accident on the NoTthera Di.
vision OF the Boston Il Lowell Rail.
rOad-Three Persons Killed and Five
Injured.
FRANKLIN, n. H.. Oct Is

FRANKLIN, n. H., Oct is.
The worst accident for years occurred on
the Northern Railroad at Andover Plains to-
day. Lucius Groves, the oldest engineer on
the road, brakeman Harvey and John Emer-
son, engineer, were killed. Four freight
cars, smoker and baggage car were smashed
CONCORD, n. H., Oct. Is.
terrible accident occurred on the North
ern Division of the Boston & Lowell rail-
road, midway between East and West An
dover, at o'clock this morning, by which
three persons lost their lives and five were
injured. The Chicago express freight left
here with double header" the engineers
being John P. Emerson and Daniel Scannell
and when they reached West Andover to set
of for the down passenger train it was found
that the train had broken apart. Emerson
started in search of the missing cars, and
meanwhile the passenger train train came
along. The passenger train men were in
formed that Emerson had gone after part OF
his train before they left the station. That
train stopped at Andover Centre, leaving
four passengers, and then started southwark.
When about three eights of mile below An
dover Centre both trains collided and as each
was going rapidly the recoil was so great
that the direction of each locomotive was
completely changed.
Soon as possible eight train men went to
the rescue of the persons on the engines
Both locomotives were badly demolished and
their engineers missing. After long search
they were found in the debris dead as was
also the breakman of the freight train, who
went back with Emerson on his engine. The
express messenger and baggage master were
imprisoned in the wreck, and il was neces-
sary to cut them out, after being confined in
their perilous position more than an hour.
Both these were in the baggage car, which
took fire, but the flames were extinguished
without any damage. The tender of the pas
seuger locomotive telescoped the baggage car
and the latter telescoped the mail car. There
were two clerks in the latter, one of whom
was injured. Aside from the severe shaking
up none of the passengers were hurt. A
wrecking train and medical assistance went
from this city, and the track was cleared be-
fore night. General Superintendent Meller,
who came from Boston by special train, and
Division Superintendent Todd, directed the
work
The following is a list of the killed. Lu-
cius Grover, passenger engineer, of Concord,
aged 60, married; John p. Emerson, freight
engineer Of Concord, aged 80, unmarried ;
VIM. Harvey, freight brakeman, of Lebanon,
aged 80, married. The injured are: Frank
II. Stevens, West Lebanon. postal clerk,
leg injured; Will Weston, Concord,
express messenger, ankle and head
bruised; VIM. Turner of West Lebanon,
baggage master, leg broken and other inju-
ries; Oscar Leighton of Concord, passenger
fireman, head and hands bruised; Frank C.
Wells Of West Lebanon, freight fireman head
bruised. Turner is the only person seriously
injured. Leighton eacaped by jumping and
Wells was thrown long distance when the
engines collided.
Emersons fireman states that he left word
at West Andover to have the passenger train
held until he returned. He had to go to East
An1over. about eight miles, and as he had
only eight cars he must have been running
rapidly when the accident occurred. Had
his request been understood the passenger
train would have undoubtedly remained at
West Andover, although the latter had the
right of way. Railroad officials decline to
make any statement as to the responsibility,
preferring to let the facts be elected at the
investigation, which the railroad commission
ers will hold early this week. 1t was very
foggy this morning, it being impossible for
train men to see 25 feet ahead of the train.
Had it been clear the accident would not have
happened as both engineers could have stop
ped their trains.
Several freight cars were smashed and the
pecunary damage to property is placed at
$4,000.