The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1891-10-20
FATAL ACCIDENT.
A Locomotive Bxplodes and Kills
Four Men

Four Men
Engine 955, of the Reading road, ex-
ploded last ev ming about o'clock at Grow
Hollow Switch, near ST. Clair, killing four
Of the crew. The cause of the exp oson
cannot be accounted for. The engine was
standing still at the time of the accident,
and when the explosion occurred seemed to
leap into the air, and jumped forward
about twenty feet and landed on the sills.
The cab and two.thirds Of the long boiler
we're blown into pieces, and nothing re-
mained but thesforward section. The head
was also blown out. The tank remained
attached and suffered very little damage.
The wood lining slowly burned away aud
its flames threw out ftful light, showing
the battered and torn remnants of the en-
gine Most of the debris WAS found on the
east Of the engine, about thirty yards away,
while the unfortunate victims we're carried
in the opposite direction. Turner owes his
life to this fact. Had he been standing on
the east side he would have been blown TO
pieces 1t seems strange and miraculous
that his lie was spared to him as it was.
He was standing within three fsot of the
cab, addressing tha en- tineer, when it all
occurred His escape from instant death
may be regarded as an interpositon Of
Providence.
The fire pan was hurled against train Of
cars and was battered into a confused mass.
Heavy bars were twisted and broken and
lay in indscrminated confusion around
the tracks. 1t was q scene of havoc and
ruin that met the gaze Of those'w who hurried
to the spot.
Wreck Master William Sebold, of Palo
Alto, had his crew on the grounds and re-
moved the debris to ALLOW trains to pass up
and down on one track. The man ed
like trogans, although the night was dark
and strong wind drove the rain in gusts,
drenching them to the skin.
The names of the unfortunate men who
met their death by the explosion are:
Engineer Henry Wagner, married, aged
40 years, home at Palo Alto,
Mahlon Keith, brakeman, married, 80
years old, lived at Pao Alto.
Charles Bauers, brakeman, married aged
35 wears, home st. Clair.
Charles Hennicker % years, single, home
ST. Clair.
Bauers lived for several hours after the
accident and died before he could be re-
moved to his home
Crow Hollow Switch is almost opposite
Mill Creek. Long strings of loaded and
empty coal cars are assorted at this point
and started on their destination. 1t is
about half-mile south Of St. Clair and a
little over mile north of Port Carbon.
Wo was Immediately commenced by
rescuing party in search of tho bodies.
Turner was found about 30 feet east of the
jured, but remained in dazed condition
f5r several minutes. His lantern was torn
from his hand and could not be found.
The body Of Keith was found to the west
of the engine lying on top of loaded coal
car. He was blown into the air and dropped
into the car, His body was badly dis
figured and blackened His legs were al
most torn Off and ne was the only one who
was found on the west side of the engine.
The others were all found on the east side.
Honnicker's lifeless body was about fifty
yards from the tracks lying among the
bushes. He was badly cut around the body,
but did not lose a limb
Bauers was groaning in clump of bushes
about forty yards away until the rescurers
found him, He was unconscious and re-
mained in that condition when death came to
his relief His body was disfgured, but
did not bear many marks
Wagner, the engineer, was found about
a hundred yards away. His body was al
most cut in half and the entrails protruded.
Almost every bone in his body was broken.
He was picked up in doubled up position,
lying near a stream of water. His left foot
was almost of. The legs were held to tho
body by strips of flesh. His remains were
gathered up in piece Of canvas
All the bodies were removed to the base
ment in the weighmasters Office short
distance below St. Clair. The bodies Of
Wagner and Keith we're removed to their
home in box car at a late hour Bauers
and HonEicker we're taken to their homes
in St. Clair.
What's be tier for a wound than salvation