The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-30
REAR END COLLISION.
Nine Cars Thrown From the Track at
Auburn and Engine of the Extra
Demolished Crews Els
cape Injury Estimated
Loss 100000

( dition of affairs, notified headquarters
The position of the wreck prevented
a Wrecking crew from working effect
lively from the Worcester end, and Nor
witch was notified. A wrecking train
| in charge of roadmaster James Maher
with crew of about 80 men, was made
up at once and arrived on the scene
! shortly after O'clock Work of clear
ing the track began at once, but al
midnight Mr.. Maher thought he had an
: all nights job ahead of him
| The fact that there is but a single
track at this point, prevented the use
of derricks or other wrecling machin-
cry, and the men were obliged to lift
the debris from the tracks, rolling it VI
the embankment in some places anC
throwing it down in others, by mair
strength
Blocks and chains were finally ar
ranged, and the heavier portions of the
Wreckage hauled out of the way by this
means. A part of the contents of one
| car consisted of buggies and harnesses.
THESE were removed from the car and
placed on the top of the bank Up to
midnight this constituted the entire
freight taken from the wreck
The scene was picturesque in the ex-
IRENE. The blazing embers of the ca
poose cast rudy glare over the dis
mantled engine, and splintered wood
work, and showed the dim outlines of
men hurrying here and there, lantern
In hand, all working with one purpose
In view, TO clear the tracks.
Members of the train crews not ac-
lively engaged lay about on the grass
| and discussed the accident while ma
tives of the town lowered about assist
ing In the work of listening to the con-
versation of the trainmen. A good
sized delegation of Auburnites re-
manned on the scene all night
The question of who was to blame 20,
the accident, is hard to determine. AS
usual, In an accident of this sort, en-
ployes of the road, who have but one
| alternative, keep their mouths closed
OF lose their places,-had little to say
From what could be picked up, how
ever, the facts are these.
The local freight Is due to leave Au-
burn at sos p. m. The train pulled into
the station, and began switching a
minute or two before the collision.
which is placed at $50 o'clock. AS soon
as the Grain came to a standstill. Chas,
L. Patnod was sent out with a flag.
His story, which is confirmed by his
mates, is, that he had proceeded down
the track but short distance when he
heard the whistle of the approaching
| train around the curve. He ran as he
| had never run before, but the oncom-
| ing train could not be stopped in time
to prevent the collision.
| Just what orders the extra was run
ming under, could not be learned. An
official remarked that all trains were
supposed to be governed by their time
tables, but at the same time the rear
end Of a train was supposed to be
guarded at all times.
Several of the trainmen claimed to
| have seen a tramp crawl from one of
the cars soon after the crash came. and
after making hasty inventory, declare
| himself uninjured. The wayfarer
claimed to belong in New Britain and
after remarking that it was about as
close a call as he cared to experience,
mixed up with the crowd and was lost
| to sight,
| The passenger trains north and south
due In Auburn at 7.04 and 6.31 respect
] lively transferred their passengers
around the wreck and ran back to their
| starting places The New York boat
| train, which leaves Worcester at s
o'clock, was run over the Providence &
Worcester road, arriving in Webster by
| the way of Blackstone & East Thomp-
son line at 1906 o'clock.
| While it is impossible to form a con-
sentative estimate, the loss will APP
| proximate $4,000.