The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-10-12
A TERRIBLE COLLISION

ON the O., l., g. W., hut Strange to Relate
No One Is KillCd-List OF the Injured.
There was u irightiul collision on the
Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling railroad,
about one mile and a half back Of Bridge
port at an early hour yesterday morn
ing, in which, strange to relate, no lives
were lost, though a large number OF per-
sons were more or less scratched and
bruised and two dangerously injured.
That there was not an appalling loss Of
life is due to the Clear.headed and
prompt action Of Thomas Reddington,
a farmer, whose house Is beside the rail-
road track Just at the point where the
trains came together,
The collision was between the
early morning freight bound
for Bridgeport, and the yard en-
CINE in use at Bridgeport, on
its way from that place to the Wheeling
Greek coal mines with two box cars,
containing about eighty men, young and
old, who were going from their homes
in and about Bridgeport, to their work
at the mines, The yard engine was run
ming under the following standing or
der; "The yard engine has the right OF
track against all trains, from Bridgeport
to Wheeling Greek coal mines from 5;l5
a. IN. till 5:40a, M"
This order or rule, has been In force
for a long time past, and was supposed
to be familiar to ull trainmen, but
Joseph Martin, the engineer OF the
freight, and Boswell, the ConduC-
tor, claim that 1t escaped their memory
on this oCcasiOn. At any rate they failed
to stop at the coal works to await the ar
rival Of the miners train, but kept on
towards Bridgeport at a lively rate Of
speed.
Tho yard engine left Bridgeport at its
usual time, oslo o'clock, and was run
ming under u full head OF steam. Mr.
ReddingtOn happened to be standing
near the track when he heard both trains
whistle. Instantly Gomprehendipg the
situation he ran down the track to-
wards Bridgeport to warn the miners
train. His signals were seen and En-
giueer George Quimbly reversed his en-
glne and sounded series Of alarming
whistles. AS he did this the ireigh
came into sight. Martin also re
versed his engine, but his train
which consisted principally o
cars of iron ore, was 81
heavy that the momentum carried thu
train forward in spite OF all efforts t
stop II, Seeing that crash was lueVila
Martin and his 4 fireman jumped
| The two trains came tOgethe
With force that shook tn,
ground. The freight engine reared "
ON the yard engine and forged II bacI
for about 100 yards, then fell oyer on it
side, the fall tearing things open gener
ally. The yard engine was throw
around 80 that 1t stood ut right angle
with the track.
The yard engine was checked up sui
1cientIy TO let about two.thirds Of tn
men in'the cars jump irnM tho doors
The others remained in the cars aud yer
thrown violently against the end Of tn
car when the collision took place, and II
that way some severe injuries were In
| AiCted. Those who jumped had thei
Injuries confined mostly TO bruises an,
some painful scratches :::"i!!cted by
h9rhed wire FENCE against which the,
fell,
Those seriously injured and the char
aCter Of their injuries, are as follows:
David Moore, aged 90, support OF
widow mother, hurt about the hips AM
head conclusion Of the brain Is feared
LAWRENCE Tracy, employed st the cox
ovens, had two ribs torn from the back
bone and was badly crushed about th
shoulder.
Dave Rutman had his left arm broken
| Nathan Greaves was crushed Rbou
the right side and will probably be lOi,
up for some time.
Tony johnson was painfully hur
abouta leg that he had broken only
short time ago. :.
William Sits had mis- right foot badl!
sprainei and twisted.
The injured were quickly gotten +
their homes and made as COmtortablea
possible.