The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-09
Several of the Employees Were
Slightly Injured.
The New London Local Train
Jumped the Switch.
No One Knows What Was the CAUSE
Someone Made Mistake.

The New London local train, due In
this city at $3.50 o'clock was slippiug
along the rails at apout 10 miles an hour
this morning and ss IL approached the
Brayton avenue crossing at $50 O'Clock,
it jumped the switch at that place end
went on to a siding where q shifting
engine OF the New England road was
standing. 1t happened In a second but
that interval of time was sufficient TO
give the engineers and fremen opportu-
nity to jump and escape serious injury.
The two engines smashed into each
other and both were damaged but not
seriously harmed. Several railroad en-
ployes were slightly ipj ure1, but ss the
passenger coaches dfd not leave the track
none of the inmates were injured. What
threatened to be q disaster was fortu-
nately averted by the slow approach OF
the train city ward. The accident caused
a slight delay in traffic, but all evidence
of the collision was removed in q short
time as there was no wreckage Of any
amount.
Engineer William Fitch and fireman
Frank Work, on the New England engine,
realizing that danger threatened, as soon
as they saw the approaching train leave
the track, jumped and cleared the danger
line. Engineer Andrew Talcott, fireman
James Coyle, -conductor..William II. Kan
dali, mail agent o. T.. Miner, Jr., baggage
master Fred Gay, and brakeman Frank
Ware of the New London train. were
shook up considerably and were cut
slightly by flying parts OF the engines.
Mail agent Miner wss most unfortunate,
but he was able to attend to bis duties.
His face was lscerated by being thrown
| against mail rack.
No one seems to have clear idea OF
what caused the accident. Engineer
| Talcott says that the signals were Get
right for clear rail. He was not going
| more than 10 miles an hour end that
accounts for the fortunate escape of the
passengers. The forward parts Of both
| engines were badly smashed, but they
were abls TO proceed under their own
| steam. The New London train was made
| up of an engine, one baggage car and
four passenger coaches. They held about
1 on phsscuseEc. Hh ihvesN6etion wa ~
held.
| The,incidents just preceding and follow
ing the accident were varied. Engineer
Fitch shouted to his fireman to
Jump, and he jumped himself and ran to-
wards the main track to the north, Fire
man Work jumped from his SIDE OF the
cab, but before he cleared the engine OF
the local, the shock caused him to lose
his foot hold aud he was thrown over z
fence which runs along the south side OF
the road. Work was injured about the
body, bat not to any serious extent. En-
gineer Fitch was slightly injured by
jumping. lie went TO bis home but Fire
man Work returned to bis post. Engineer
ralcott OF the New London train when
he saw that collision was inevits Die
reversed the lever Of his engine, and ar
plied the brakes. Mr.. falcott was snsweu
up, ss was his fireman, James Coyie. Mr..
Islcott was not in iured to any extent snd
he assisted in clearing up the wreck. Ihe
| track for 100 feet was covered with wooo
work of both engines.
But four wheels OF the entire train lsfi
the rail, and these were tue forward ones
Of the first passenger car, which were
quickly placed in position bv gang o'
men under the supervision OF T.. L. Dsw
lev Of the Consolidated road.
Mail agent q. Il. Miner, Jr. was sortina
bis mail ct the time OF the collision,
and wes thrown forward against the mai
rack and was cut shout the head anc
face, but was not injured so badly bu'
|, that he could attend 10 his duties.
Bagcagemsn Cav was struck by nyfn1
milk can on the leg.
As soon as the engines camo togcths'
Conductor Randall sent man back q
tag the New London express, which wn'
due a few moments hter, bur when INT
exyress arrived the road was clsrr.