The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-10
A REAR ENDER
On the Fitchburg Railroad
Results in Death.
Two Were Killed acknowledgement
Signal Operators Under Arrest.
By The Associated Press

NORTH ADAMS, Mass, Sept. 10. - Tho
most horrible railroad disaster known In
this vicinity took place on the Fitchburg
railroad Saturday evening in the Hoosao
Tunnel, IA short distance east OF the central
shaft. The accident was cdused by a rear
end collision between eastbound freight
trains, and as near as can be ascertained
happened about 10;30 o'clock.
A freight train had stopped to repair an
engine which had broken down, and at
the same time a westbound express train
passed through the tunnel, filling 1t with
smoke. A second eastbound freight train
was allowed TO enter the tunnel, contrary
10 the rules OF the road, and the engineer
being unable on account OF the dense
smoke left by the passage Of the express TO
distinguish the lights of the train from the
electric lights on the walls of the tunnel
went into 1t with crash. Both trains
were badly wrecked, the tunnel blockaded
and two men We're killed outright and
three were seriously injured.
The Killed and Injured.
The killed were William Turpening,
brakeman, of Syracuse, and George MIN
mick, brakeman, of Fitchburg. The
injured were Walter Clapp, engineer, of
Rotterdam, N. Y, injured about the pelvis
and chest; Charles Fraser, fireman, OF
Rotterdam, n. Y, skull fractured and
scalp badly wounded, injured about the
hips and back and both hands severely
burned H. B Bartlett, brakeman, OF
Fitchburg, right arm cut, spine injured
and badly crushed.
The story of the disaster in detail is as
follows: About O'Clock Saturday even
ing extra freight 2t5 left North Adams
and proceeded into the tunnel until when
about 1000 feet east of the center shaft
the spring hanger of the locomotive broke
and it was necessary 10 stop for repairs.
The disabled engine was detached from
the train and was lacked up, and the
trainmen commenced work making the
necessary repairs. They worked steadily
for about % minutes, but the repairs were
not satisfactory to the engineer, and the
locomotive was again lowered 20 the tracks.
Train PAS followed from North Adams
shortly after by freight 22G; which was
composed of heavily laden grain cars.
This train came up TO the west portal OF
the tunnel and the engineer noticed that
the light on the signal tower was red,
which signihed that the tracks were not
clear and that the first train had not
passed the signal tower at the east portal.
But just at this time the signal was sud
denly changed and whit.mght was hung
out which indicated that the tracks in the
tunnel were clear and that the first train
had passed through.
Somebody Numbered.
As the rules OF the road are that the
operator at the portal shall not allow one
train TO follow another into the tunnel
until the operator at the other portal has
reported the first train as passing through,
consequently the engineer of train 220 in-
creased the speed and sent his train into
the tunnel, supposing the tracks 10 be-
clear, as was indicated by the signal The
train had proceeded but short distance
when il met the American Express CON-
pany's train on the westbound track,
which is due to arrive here at $3.50.
Tho express train left behind dense
smoke, so that the tunnel lights were
barely discernible. The train proceeded
and passed the central shaft, after which,
the grade bang downward, the speed was
increased. The engineer had just shut off
the steam and was in tho act OF reaching
for his hat when suddenly there was
crash and confusion reigned supreme. The
engine had crashed into the caboose of the
standing train, and the engineer and fire.
man had not the slightest intimation OF
the impending disaster, as on account OF
the dense smoke which filled the tunnel
they were unable to discern the lights on
the rear of the motionless train.
Operator Hodkin, who has charge of the
signal lights at the east portal, is confined
I'm the police station and the charge OF
criminal carelessness is charged against
him. w. Hodkins, the west portal opera
tor, has also been placed under arrest He
claims he received the 80 K' from the
east end operator, and consequently
changed his signal. The authorities in
tend TO make n thorough investigation.