Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-07-03
eRouhn TO PIECES.

Fireman Mczen of the New England
Road KilIed-Conhicting Orders Cause
a Collision.
A serious accident occurred on the
New England road between Osborntown
and Bradley's, seven miles west from
Waterbury, about II o'clock last night.
The accident was due to a mistake in
orders and resulted in the death of Fire
man Edward McZelle and the de-
struction of two engines and a number
of, cars.
AT 1913 train No 70 left here going
west, in charge of Conductor Mcdonald,
| with Engineer Haven in the cab. The
train was made up of twelve loaded
cars. At the point mentioned the train
collided with the engine of train No 700,
going east, with great force. The crew
of the east bound train jumped and es
capped injury, as did Engineer Haven.
Fireman McZelle waited too long before
jumping and was buried under the
water tank and there crushed to death.
Five cars and both engines were badly
| wrecked.
| A wrecking train in charge of Chief
Train Dispatcher Russ was sent on from
Hartford and after several hours work
the tracks were cleared and the body of
| the unfortunate fireman recovered. The
remains were gathered up and brought
to Hunts morgue in this city. Medical
Examiner Axtelle viewed the remains
and notified Coroner Mix to come on
and make an investigation. The body
of McZelle was literally ground to pieces.
Both legs and one arm were severed,
and the trunk was crushed to a shape
less mass. The victim was a widower
about 35 years of age and resided in
East Hartford.
When the news of the accident was
received in this city, the train dispatcher
a nineteen year old boy named Kitredge
burst into tears and was completely
unnerved. He blamed himself for the
accident and was unable to remain al
work. Operator Mcdonald of Whea
toms was sent on to take his place.
The accident occurred in a place
known to railroad men as the Devils
Hole" sharp curve through a rocE
cut. The trains were almost together
before being seen and it was impossible
to avoid a collision.
1t was learned to-day that Kittridgt
had orders to hold train No 70 here unit
the arrival of the east bound train
When the tram pulled up in front Of
the station Engineer Haven left hi'
cab, tapped on the window of the tele
graph office and asked for his orders
Kittridge said he had received no orders
for the train, but afterwards followed
Haven to his engine and asked him i
he could make Towantic on time. The
engineer said he would be two or three
minutes late and then pulled out of the
yard.
Engineer Wylie was in charge of thu
east bound train. When the collision &C
Cured his train was on a down grade
running at the rate of twenty-five
miles an hour. Engineer Haven wa
running his engine about eighteen miles
an hour and he almost succeeded il
bringing his train to standstill befor,
the collision occurred.
Engineer Wylie is congratulatins
himself on his narrow escape. He sait
that when he saw the other train bear
ing down upon him he resolved to sta,
: on his engine, hut just before the crasl
, came something impelied him to jump
1t was fortunate that he did for the en-
CINE was completely wrecked and tn
cab reduced to splnters.
The body will be taken to East Hart
, ford on the 4:05 train this afternoon.
: Coroner Mix arrived here at 8 o'cloc]
r this morning and began an invcstiga
ton. All of the witnesses were sum
! moned to appear in New Haven. Kit
fridge, the laundering operator, has no
been seen to-day, and it is probable tina
a warrant will be issued for his arrest
His home is in Southford.