The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-04
SOMEONE MADE
A BAD BLUNDER.
Head-0n Collision at Warwick Rail-
way Station.
Both Engines Were Badly Damaged and
One Pass niger s verely Injured.

The very difficult feat Of two trains
passing on the same track was attempted
on the Warwick and Oakland Beach diVl'
sion OF the Consolidated road yesterday
morning and ID IVES not success ms the
condition Of the train, few minutes al
ter tho crash demonstrated.
Someone blunuoTcd and but for the few
passengers on the trains there would
probably have beon loss OF life. That no
one was killed is due TO the good fortune
ia the face OF bad management. The ac-
cident happened at the Warwick station
at Q clock Sunday morning. The two
trains were scheduled 10 pass at the sta
ton and that fact seems to have been
forgotten or the train machinery in tho
form of brakes would not work.
One train came from Worcester anu
left this city for ButtonwoOds at 20
O'Clock. Tho ButtOnwoods train left that
station bound for this city at 55 o'clock.
They came together in front OF the station
platform at Warwick ana there was a
mix-up.
When tho wreoking train returned 20
tho city alter a days work clearing the
tracks 10 had two locomotives ana bag
gage cars In tow They were badly dam.
aged. The tenders were smashed ana
several PARTS Of the machinery were de-
tached. showing that tho force OF the
shock had been considerable. The pas
sonCer cars were also smashed and the
debris littsring the track delayed traihc
for several hours.
phe north bound train was the one
that took tho switch ne it has done all
summer There had been "a change in
the time table because OF the taking oil
of same of tho summer trains, but that
made 10 difference to these particular
trains as their time was the same as it
had Deen all summer.
The south bound train was in charge OF
Walter Follott. conductor, George New
ton. engineer, and Arthur Sampson. fire.
man. lhe other was in charge Of George
Hull. conductor, Thomas Powers enignoer,
and II. A. spencer fireman.
Tie south bound train hands wero not
familiar with tho road which makes "a
sharp curve at tho Warwick station. a
tram standing at this point cannot DO
seen until after the curve is passed.
Whom Tho curve was cleared yesterday tho
engineers of the two trains saw that col
lislon could not be- avoided and tho men
on the south bound train jumped and
saved their lives for after the crash IL
was seen that tho tender was driven over
into the cab space just vacated by the
men.
The north bound train had arrived on
time and was waiting for tho other and
the first note OF warning came from sta
tion Agent George Il. Perry who saw tho
on-coming train as 10 was almost upon
tho other. After ho shouted there was
crash and fly ing debris, sound of breaking
glass and escaping steam.
The south bound engine No. 32i was
driven back against the tonuer and tt o
A.. nd hn lat tnr M nc
front Tho tender was lifted of the track
and lam bed against the fire box. The
cow catcher WAS twisted of and the pis-
ton rods were broken on one side. Several
other parts of the enigEe were damaged.
The engine on the collidipg train, No.
374, WAS rendered useless until IL comes
out OF the repair shop. The COW catcher
was broken or the cylinder heads were
torn away and tho driving gear wrecked.
The baggage car OF This train Jared badly.
The end and part Of the sides were torn
away.
It wns n wild sight in front OF the
railroad station, Evidence OF the wreck
was scattered all over tho platform and
along the rOadhed. Tho engines remained
on the tracks, but tho forward ends of tho
baggage cars were twisted around on the
road bed making on oifeotual blockade.
James Lyman was the only person
seriously hurt Several were bruised hut
their injuries nre OF little consequence.
Mr.. Lyman was one of tho fow passengers
bound for Buttonwoods and no wGs sit
ting in a front seat OF tho smoking car.
When the shock came he was thrown for
ward violently. his head striking against
somu part of the oar.
1he blow was so severe that when he
attempted TO stand he found that it was
impossible. He became unconscious and
WAS removed from tho train in that con-
dition.
DR. Peokham. who was at his summer
residence In Warwick. attended tho in
jured man and found that ne was suf-
fering from GhRht conclusion OF the
hrain and bruised right arm. Later on
he was brought To this city and received
mohical attendance at bis room IN the
Lyman ON Franklin street 10 il expected
that no will Lo able 10 be out again in "a
few days.
The other passengers were sprawled
over the cars and considerably shaken up.
but nothing serious happened.
Tho wrcCking train arrived at II o'clock
anu until 3:i5 o'clock I'm the afternoon
tho men wero busy removing the dobrle
During the delay passengers woro taken
Ia carriages from Warwick 10 Lakewood
ana from Che latter point they were
brought To town In electric cars.
The cause NJ the accident Will be made
known az tho investigation. At present
the railroad officials will not talk about
the matter.