Evening star., 1897-07-30
Miscreants Open a Switch in Front Of
an Express Train.
ENGINE and THREE CARS DERAILED
Engineer, Fireman and Two Tramps
Instantly Killed.
SSENGERS ALL ESCAP E

CINCINNATI, Ohio. July 30.-A Times
Star special from Thorntown, Ind, says
the Chicago express on the Cleveland, Gin
Cirnati, Chicago and ST. Louis railway,
due in Cincinnati at Z am, was wrecked
there about 2:3O o'clock. Four were killed
outright and several slightly injured.
There was a deliberate plot to wreck the
train, as a coupling pin had been driven
iEto the switch to hold it open and
throw the fast train from Chicago to Gin
cnnati off the track as it passed this point.
The engine and tender, the mail, express
and baggage cars were thrown from the
track and wrecked. The coaches and Wag-
ner sleeping remained on the track
and none of the passengers were seriously
hurt, although they had a lively shaking
up.
Engineer and Fireman Killed.
1t is reported that none of those in the
cars that were thrown from the track were
seriously hurt. Seth Winslow of Green's
Lrrg, Ind, the engineer, and b. Crickmore
OF Indianapolis, the fireman, and two uni
IDENTIFIED tramps were killed outright
While there were many reports about the
number of people injured, there were none
seriously hurt, although many were so
badly frightened at first as to give credence
10 the reports about many being injured.
The offlcialS of the Big Four railway
state that no passengers were hurt at the
wreck and that the fatalities are limited
10 the engineer and fireman and two tramps
No others on the train were seriously hurt
When the train left Chicago last night at
O'Clock 1t was an unusually long one.
Ony 1our stops were to be made between
chicago and Indianapolis The train was
passing Ihorntown at high speed when
the engine struck the switch that had
been opened and faStered Open
Inc two tramps who were killed were
a hQ and of Z ha
mail car, and their remains cannot be
identified.
Relief Train Sent to the Scene
relief train was sent from Indianapolis:
TO Thorntown early this morning, and as
soon as the track was cleared a new train
was made UP for this city and other points
The train was unusually crowded with pas
seEgers.
Engineer Winslow leaves a widow and
two children His remains were taken to
his home at Greensburg, and those OF
Fireman Crickmore to Indianapolis.
TIE officials of the railroad have institut-
ed thorough investigation as to the per-
petrators of the wreck. The reports from
Ihorntown leave no doubt whatever about
the switch having been thrown open and
coupling pin fastened in the switch to hold
IL open.
There have recently been some labor
troubles in and about Thcrntown, but none
OF them have been in any manner con-
htcted with the railway. 1t is stated that
since the mining troubles there mad bean
number of strangers about the place who
are not connected with the strike but who
are supposed to have been tramping about
with view to plunder during the expected
trouble. No attempt was made to rob the
express or other cars after the wreck, and
no understanding of the plot can be ascer-
tanned All available detectives were set
at work today on the case
officials Think Strikers Did It,
The opinion is entertained at the head
quarters OF the Big Four that the train
Wreckers had hoped to destroy coal train
about due. General Manager Schaff has
offered a reward of $50 for the arrest ami
conviction of the wreckers.