Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-02-05
ASPHYXIATED.

A SAD ACCIDENT IN THE TUNNEL on sun
DAY-Two MEN OVERCOME ny GAS
ONE DIES AND THE OTHER REoovERs.
A distressing accident happened in
the tunnel at three O'Clock Sunday
morning, whereby Conductoc Geo. IL.
Hawthorne lost his life and Brakeman
Joseph Whalen came near crossing the
dark river.
The particulars of the disaster are as
follows:
About 2:30 O'Clock train of heavily
loaded meat cars arrived from Chicago.
Soon one of the monster engines hitch
ed on to the train and started for Sarnia
by the underground route. When
about tow-thirds through the tunnel
the train broke in two, only six cars re-
naming with the engine. Twenty-Five
cars started to- run back. AS the two
grades meet in the center of the tun-
mel the engineer concluded to take the
six cars to Sarnia and ran back for the
others. While the engineer was gone
the % cars first ran back and then
ahead until they finally stopped at a
point where the up and down grade
comes together. Finally the engine
came back, but for some reason or
other some difficulty was experienced
in making the coupling. The tunnel
filled with gas and steam from the loco
motive and it was almost impossible
for the train men to breathe. When
the train was coupled together the en-
gine started for the Canadian portal
again. When nearing the opening the
train broke III two again. The engi-
neer attempted to pick up the detached
cars but was unable to do so. lie final
ly concluded to pull the half dozen
cars through and make another trip
| for the rear ears. Conductor Haw-
thorne and brakeman Whalen remain
edin the eaboose. While waiting for
the engine they became aware that
! from some GeasOn or other the tunnel
was filling with coal gas and steam.
The atmosphere became sitting and
| finally they made up .heir minds to go
out of the cabOOse and walk TO the
Canadian portal.
by this time the engineer had dispos-
ed of his cas and wasCn his way back.
A brakeman, Seth Lee, was sent ahead
with lantern, as therules of the COM
pany provide. As he was nearing the
detached portion of the train he sud-
denly stumbled over man lying
across the tack. An investigation re-
vealed the fact thatit was Brakeman
Whalen. He was nearly overcome, but
still conscious. He was helped aboard
the engine at once by the engineer and
| fireman, while brakeman Lee started
down the track to find the conductor.
He could sac the light of lantern
ahead of him, and when he approach
ed it he found the unfortunate con-
ductor unconscious and breathing hard.
He was also helped aboard the engine,
and a start dor fresh arr was made.
Conductor Hawthorne died soon after
reaching the Canadian side, but Wha-
len partially recovered ,.aBd was taken
20 his boarding house. he was very
bad all day Sunday, and at times his
! life was despaired of. The effects of
the gas wore off towards night, and to-
day he is much better.
Conductor Hawthorne came from
IHondon about six weeks ago, and since
lthat time has been on duty at the tun-
mel at night. He was genial official
and was a favorite with ms fellow
wOrkmen. He leaves wife and three
children in London. His remSins were
taken to that place ,on Sunday.
A Times representative visited the
tIEnnel on Sunday, bat found everyone
connected with the road very Ieticent.
Ii as a well known fact that there are
pipes in the tunnel which are suppos-
ed 10 keep the tunnel free of foul air,
and it was told by some of the attaches
of the road that the air pumps were
not at work at the time of the accident.
We also understand that the electric
lights were not in operation at the time
and the tunnel was as dark as mid
night.
The officials of the road are holding
an investigation today, and it is hoped
the blame will he located.
The breaking in two of freight trains
is not an unusual thing, owing to the
enormous strain on the coupling pins.
In some instances delay of two hours
has been occasioned, but no bad effects
from gas had been experienced previ-
ously. Passenger trains do not break
apart owing to the improved couplings.
This is the first accident in the tun-
mel, and an effort will be made to pre-
vent future ACCIDENTS of this kind.-Pt.
Huron Daily Times.
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