Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-11-29
FATAL ACCIDENT.
MRS WM. QUINN and HISS ORINDA
CLEVELAND KILLED BY A
FREIGHT TRAIN.


and drove pair of horses. AT Nekoosa
they took in Miss Orinda Cleveland, a
young lady who was teaching the public
school there, but who resided at Port
Edwards. She wanted to 90 home to
spend Saturday and Sunday with
younger sister who was keeping house
alone while the mother, Mrs Cleveland,
was absent in Minnesota attending the
funeral of her mother, Mrs. Lord,
who had just passed away. Mr.. and
Mrs. Quinn and Miss Cleveland all
occupied the same wagon seat in front
and passed safely over the first railroad
crossing after leaving Nekoosa where
the wagon road meets the st. Paul track
at right angles. Just after this crossing
is made the road turns abruptly to the
right and runs parallel with the track
for about 1150 feet, on the north side Of
the track and only IS or 70 feet from it;
then recrosses and continues parallel
and near to the track on the south side
as far as the Port Edwards depot, a
distance of at least half mile. Along
this 1150 foot stretch of wagon road the
fated people drove, going in the same
direction as the approaching freight
which came up behind them seemingly
unnoticed; and when the second cross
ing was reached in some unaccountable,
incredible way drove straight into the
engine as it was steaming by with
terrible results. Here the two ladies
found a cold and cruel death bed and
Mr. Quinn received bad cash above
the left eye and on his cheek. One
horse was killed and the other escaped
without injury. The wagon was crushed
into hundred pieces, the reach broken
in two, the heavy wheels splintered
into kindling wood and the iron tires
evidence of the power and force with
which it must have been struck.
The accident occurred, as near as we
have been able to learn, in about this
manner: The regular north bound
freight was made mp of 40 cars and
engine with Gus. Breasted at the throttle.
They were running at the rate of about
20 miles an hour. They whistled and
rang the bell for both crossings. 1t was
cold raw day and it appears that the
people in the wagon were well bundled
up and did not hear the train coming.
Mr.. Quinn was driving his horses on
walk aud even the wind blew favorably
to carry the sound from train to wagon,
still they drove on unconscious OF the
approaching danger. There were no
trees or brush Of any kind to hide the
train from view and just at the turn Of
the road where they start to go onto the
crossing you can see clearl Y up and
down the track for half mile either
way The horses noses touched the
engine, they jumped to the left and the
wagon slued broadside against it. The
drivers Of the engine struck one horse
and killed him instantly, crowding the
other one away from the track unhurt.
At the same time the tender of the
engine struck the hind end Of the
wagon and the ladies were thrown a
distance of 50 feet killing Miss Cleveland
instantly, Miss Quinn striking on her
head in the cattle guards and she lived
for about two hours, though she never
regained consciousness. Mr.. Quinn
found himself under the debris severely
bruised but not seriously hurt. Miss
Cleveland was picked up near fence
with her hands still in her mutt, SO
suddenly came deaths angel. The trio
were picked up bv the freight and
brought to this city.
Just how it was possible for these
three people to drive a team of horses
into the engine at this place is the
subject Of greatest inquiry to every one
who knows where and how this crossing
is made, and the happening is peculiar
and almost mysterious one which can
probably never be fully explained.
VIM. H Gets, coroner, empanelled q
Jury of six men, Messrs. Z. II. Jackson
Geo. A. Corriveau Sr., John Ray, Chas
Kruger, A. Mcmillan and John O'Brier
who proceeded to the scene of the
accident. They adjourned until Tues
day morning when a second adjourn
ment until Friday morning was made
necessary in order TO get certain
witnesses.
On examination it was found tha
Miss CIeveland's skull and neck were
broken; Mrs Quinn's head was crushed
and skull broken, the brain protrudin:
from the apertures. About the tim;
the accident occurred here Miss Cleve
lands mother was laying away he
mother in Minnesota.
The funeral services were held in thi
city Tuesday, that Of Miss Quinn at th'
Catholic Church in the morning an(
Miss Cleveland's in the afternoon at th,
Methodist Church. Thev were boil
very largely attended the NJ. Z. Church
proving entirely too small to admit on'
half the people who wished to gail
admittance. The services were yer,
sad, made doubIy so on account of til,
sudden and unfortunate manner ii
which the dead were taken from thi
life. Both were lovely women and helC
the respect, confidence and love of al
who knew them Miss Cleveland wa
an exemplary and pretty Young lad