The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1897-07-02
A BAD ACCIDENT.
Collision OF Passenger Trains Near Chicago
Illinois.

CHICAGO, June 2O.-Three persons
were killed outright and about twenty
or thirty persons injured in rear enc
collision on the Chicago and North
western road at 12.45 this morning, al
West Chicago, thirty miles out o.
Chicago, on the Gelena division.
The victims of the collision were
Christian Endeavor delegates who left
Chicago last night enroute for the great
convention in San Francisco. The col
liding trains were sections numbers 4
and 5 of Christian Endeavor special
train in nine sections, beginning at
1880 p. m. Section number ran into
section number 4, which left Chicago
fifteen minutes ahead of it. Section
number a carried the Wisconsin dele
-
gates, nearly 500 strong, and in the
rear sleeper were people from Fon du
Lac, Greenbay. Appleton, and other
Wisconsin cities. Section number
had come to a stop just out of West
Chicago, where the Freeport line
DIVORCES from the main line. Section
number S came up behind at great
speed and the shock of the collision
was terrific.
The passengers in the two rear Sleep
ers Of section number were all in their
berths. They received no warning
and those not killed outright awoke to
find themselves jammed in the wreck
age,
Passengers on both trains fastened
to the spot and began the work of rescue
One of the first of the injured was En-
gineer Charles Courtnes, of section
number S. lie had stuck to his post
like hero and is so seriously injured
that he cannot live.
An immedin call was made for help
on every point within reaching dis
tance. Chicago was notified and asked
to send physicians at once, and medi-
cal help was requested from Geneva,
Wheaton and Aurora,
The engine of section numbers struck
the rear sleeper of section number A
with terrific force. The engine was
totally wrecked. Strange to say, the
rear sleeper of section number was
not the one to suffer most. 1t was
driven with terrific force upon the
second sleeper, and such was its impetus
that it crushed through il as though
it had been cardboard box and re-
duced it to mass of Wreckage. The
passengers in the second sleeper were
the ones to suffer most. and it was in
it that most of the victims were hurt.
Mrs. Shipman and Mrs. John Gooding,
who were killed, were both in this
sleeper.
Men and women could be seen strug
Cling to extricate themselves from the
wreckage. Others pinned down by
some crushing weight were crying for
help. Here and there was an arm or a
leg protruding from the debris.
A pathetic scene was the rescue Of
two daughters of Mrs Shipman, of Ap-
pleton. The rescuers were attracted
to them by their cries. They were un-
able to eXtricate themselves and
though hurt, refused assistance, beg
ging that their mother be helped
first.
Mrs. John Gooding, of Appleton, was
instantly killed. The force
of the collision crushed together to
partitions of her berth and she had no
possible chance of escape.
Prof Leo A. Williams, of Du Lac,
was found buried under pile of debris
and though he was unable to extricate
himself and it seemed as If he must be
seriously injured, he escaped with
broke /, arm and cut wrist.
The Chicago and North western Off
cials did everything in the in power to
relieve the sufferers. The two hotels
in West Chicago We're turned into
hospitals and able physicians were
promptly in attendance The sections
those which met disaster -6
|, s. and 0-carrying $500 people were
delayed upward Of three hours. F''n!'y
.he North track was cleared and they
were epabled to proceed.
As sopn as the wreck was reported to
lie locaA officials of the Chicago and
Northwestern, Superintendent Stuart
,fthe CalSna division, ordered a special