The historic times., 1891-10-17
MIDNIGHT RIDE.
It's Fatal Consequence to Three
Newspaper Men.
The ENGINEER Also KILLED,
The Locomotive Plunges Into an ODen
switch at Crete, ILL.,, With Dire Conse-
quences-A sad Return to Chicago
One Victim From Wichita,

CHICAGO, Oct. 1G-An accident, re-
sulting in the death of three members
of the Inter Ocean newspaper staff and
the engineer and the serious injury Of
several other passengers, occurred on
the Chicago e Eastern Illinois railroad
at Crete. The dead are:
Leonard Washburne, sporting editor
of the Inter Ocean.
Fred w. Henry, a reporter who had
come here recently from Louisville.
]. "A. McCafferty, an artist, recently
from st. Louis.
James Clark, engineer.
The train left Evansville early yes
terday morning and proceeded safely
TO Crete, where it ran into an open
switch. The three men who were killed
were on the engine, Henry and McCaf-
ferty having gone out for the purpose
of writing up and illustrating q mid
night ride on the fast train, and Wash
burne, who was returning to Chicago
from an Indiana trip, having joined
his friends on the train.
The accident came without warning
and as the locomotive plunged from
and completely buried beneath the
wreck.
The engine and baggage car were
completely destroyed and two passen-
ger coaches and the sleeper were more
or less damaged. The round house at
the switch was destroyed and fell upon
the wrecked engine.
Immediately upon receipt Of tele-
gram telling of the accident, President
C. w. Saul, of the Chicago & Eastern
Illinois railroad. started with special
train for the scene Of the wreck. Medi-
cal aid accompanied the president and
everything possible was done for the In
jured.
Last night sad scene was witnessed
at the Chicago depot Of the Eastern IL
linois road as the mangled corpes Of
the trio Of newspaper men were re-
ceived by large number Of their CO..
workers III. Ii. Kohlsant, one of the
proprietors Of the Inter-Ocean, was
among those present All silently give
assistance in removing the remains to
an undertaker's. Friends of the dead
In other cities were telegraphed to by
City Editor Ballard and everything
possible done pending instructions
from relatives. At the Inter-Ocean
office the lights at three of the desks
were out
Mr.. Washburne was to have been best
man last night at the wedding Of one
of his associates, Thomas r. Weddell,
assistant city editor of the Inter Ocean.
The news OF his tragic end was kept
from Mr.. Weddell and his bride and the
happy ceremony took place shortly
after poor Washburne's body reached
the city.
Leonard d. Washburne was the
sporting editor Of the Inter Ocean. He
was especially well known in baseball
circles He travelled with the Chicago
club in its journeys and his articles at
tractcd widespread attention. He
formerly lived at Wichita, Kan, and
was librarian for the Santa Fe railway
fcr some time.
James McCafferty came to Chicago
about two weeks ago from st. Louis
where he had been employed on the
Post Dispatch for a number Of years
Previous to going to St Louis ht
worked on the Philadelphia Press.
Fred Henry was 81 years old and hat
been employed on the Inter Ocean only
about two weeks, having come hers
from Louisville.