The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-07-30
FREIGHT WRECK.
SERIOUS SMASH-UP AT THE
ELKTON STATION.
Ten Cars Derailed, Rails Twisted out of
Shape and Platforms Made Into
Kindling WO0d-COnsid-
cradle Delay to
Travel.

OF the freight wrecks that have occurred
at Elkton on the Philadelphia. Wilmington
and Baltimore Railroad by far the most ex
tensive in its proportions was the acciden t
that occurred to northbound freight trai n
on Thursday at noon, eight cars being scat
tered pell nell, here and there. across the
tracks and platforms and another box car
with the caboose carried off the track.
The wreck was right at the passenger depot
the greatest demolition being between the
FELTON, House on the east to opposite the de-
pot building.
The heavy box cars from the force OF the
accident were rolled about like made of pan er
and took positions at all angles along the
tracks. But, although thus placed and
Scared and twisted, they remained compara =
lively intact, none of their contents being
strewn about. with the exception OF one ear,
the only open one, its load of heavy iron
water pipes being rolled out opposite the
passenger station. Wheels trucks. iron bars.
twisted rails were here and there driven,
while not vcstge of the safety fence re-
mains TO tell the tale OF its life--aving
mission.
On the southbound track for forty or more
feet east of the station the platform was car
ried away, while the northbound platform
from the summer station toward the Felton,
House was also made into spliIters. The
residence occupied by Adams Express Agent
| Benjamin Wells, a few feet back Of the north
bound platform, narrowly escaped having its
! front caved in by one of the ears, which
bounded over the platform, and is it was the
| front fence was demolished. the corner Of the
car coming within several feet of the build
! ing.
| The wreck came with IL terrible crash and
those in and around the station wcro natur-
ally startled. Although Just ten minutes be
| fore the arrival Of the Il 3} -outhnound pas
~rnScr tram few 'assengers bad reached
thcre aud had any persons been standing
along the plat the result may have
| been serious. Station Agent t.. J. Finnau
who happened to be standing at the western
sid" OF the station building was struck on
the face and body by llying stones and splnt-
er~. and received several slight cuts and
bruises
The family of Mr.. Wells was naturally
much alarmed upon thecars crashing close to
| their residence, while those ut the FELTON,
| House and at other points were agprchensiyc
OF what might result when they saw the cars
| bounding along. But it only required a few
seconds for the completion OF the wreckage's
work
The train was northbound extra freight
| No. l3l, running through at the rate Of about
| forty miles an hour a high rate of speed
| The ninth ear from the cahoose caused the
accident, which is ascrihed to the breaking Of
| an arch rod and its catching in the switch cross
ing the tracks just below the water pump
house at the west end of the station plat
! forms.
The trucks left the track and hammered
over the rails until opposite the station, when
| the following cars We're also drrailcd. Then
the work of distribution and tearing UP of
the rails and platforms began The first car
was carried as far as the FELTON, House, at
the Bow street crossing, and fell upright
diagonaly across both tracks. About forty
feet back the next two cars were also driven
across the tracks forming V. Back of them
the third car plunged sideways over onto
the northbound platform, tearing down that
structure and crushing the fence of the
Wells residence, going to within several feet
of the corner Of the building. Two other
cars formed another V at the corner of the
station, and within few feet Of the build
ing, while the next car-the open one
| jumped over from the northbound track
toward the station, overturning its load OF
water pipes. The two cars following and
then the caboose also left the track
A report of the accident spread like Wild
fire throughout the town, and the citizens
came running to the scene. A number of
people-always ready to make the best Of
every opportunity began sezing upon kim
ding wood and carried it off in all varieties
of loads.
Wrecking trains were called to the
scene, from Wilmington and Perryville,
these large forces of men made all haste to
clear away the debris and straighten up the
tracks to allow of travel being resumed.
All through trains were transferred from
Wilmington, to Bay View, near Baltimore,
over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, while
local travel remained at a standstill until
six o'clock when the southbound track was
cleared. The northbound track was opened
about IL O'Clock.
The greater number of cars were loaded
with dressed lumber which was removed.
Although three or four cars were placed on
tracks and will be repaired-the others were
gotten out of the way as speedily ss possible,
being further demolished to facilitate the
work.
Thursday was veritable day of railroad
wrecks.
repair train was backed into n swollen
stream from trestle on the Baltimore and
Delaware Bay Railroad in Kent county, one
OF the trainmen being killed and four others
wounded.
The Wilmington wrecking crew had lust
gotten back from the wreck at Ekton. when
it was called out at Stanton, on this division
about l o'clock, where seven freight cars
were derailed.
Festival