The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-13
DEATH And DISASTER
A Head End Collision Near
DennisOn, o.
Passenger Trains Meet at
Full Speed.
The Air Brakes Failed to Do
Their Duty.
One Man Killed and Four Bad
ly Injured.
Three of the Wounded Men Live in
Indianapolis.

COLUMBUS, o., May IA disastrous
wreck occurred on the Panhandle rail-
road four miles west OF Dennison, O., at
II o'clock a. m, being a collision between
the limited mail, No. Z, west and passen-
ger No. 10 east. Daniel Longnecker of
Columbus, baggagemaster on No. 10, was
instantly killed. He was formerly a con
ductor on the same road, and prominent
ex-soldier. Three or four cars were de.
molished and trains delayed about six
hours.
At the point of the accident double
track begins, and it is the usual place for
the trains TO pass. The passenger was
running at a high rate of speed, being
heavily loaded, and also carried the pri-
yate car OF Superintendent j. F. Miller,
with party of road officials.
Engineer Thomas Irwin of the limited.
states the air-brakes failed him at the point
of the accident, and he ran out into the
single track and was in the act of revers-
ing to get back when the accident oc-
CURED. The engines were fairly welded
together, so great was the force. The first
mail and baggage car were mashed into
kinding wood. The engineers and fire.
men escaped with slight injuries, except
Engineer Steen OF the passenger, who had
his thumbs mashed.
The occupants OF the rear coaches and
mail car were badly shaken up, but es-
capped serious injury. In the front cars of
No. TO- however, the occupants Jared
differently. Longnecker was literally
crushed to death, dying almost instantly.
/ Ex-Messenger Marvin was badly bruised
and Postal Clerks c. ID. Rogers. Sam
uel Crouch and - Miller, all of the
first car, were more or less injured inter-
nally. as well as bruised about the body
and limbs. The dead and injured were
taken to DennisOn, where medical aid was
furnished.
At the scene of the wreck all was con-
fusion, but wreeking crews were put TO
work to clear the track. The demolished
mail and baggage cars were pushed aside
and contents transferred. The battered
engines were pulled apart and rolled
away. The DELAYED passenger and west.
bound mail arrived at Columbus at
d D. m.
On the passenger were the three injured
postal clerks on the way TO their homes in
Indianapolis. The remains of the road
baggageman were not ready for shipment
anu VIII nOl NC DiOuRul W OOAAhOuc OC-
fore tomorrow. The private car containing
the railway officials had been taken off at
Trinway, point west of where the acct
dent occurred.
The injured men arrived in the city at
1880 Friday morning and were removed
to their homes in kregelo's ambulance.
Otto Miller, who was the fourth mail
clerk, has his left hip badly bruized up
and also his head, in which the surgeon
took two stitches. He is inclined to think
his left leg is dislocated. He lives at 2S0
Prospect-st. J. w. Crouch was badly
bruised up generally and left the train az
Knightstown, which is his home. Charles
d. Rogers. head mail clerk in charge of
the car, has injuries similar to Miller's,
his hip being mashed and his head cut
He lives at 300 s. Meridan-st. ID. J..
Wright, second mail clerk, was the least
injured of any of the men, his right arm
being bruised somewhat, but be was able
to take care of himself. He was standing
fully ten feet away from the side door Of
the car and the jar threw him clear
through the door and he landed on
barb wire fence.