The Portland daily press., 1900-12-03
BY A MIRACLE.
People ON Boston & mains Train Es-
cape Death.

Athol, Mass December lone OF the
worst railroad wrecks that has ever oc-
curfed In this Vicinity took place about
a mile east OF Royalston station on the
Fitchpurg division OF the Boston &
Maine at 2-bO O'Clock this afternoon. No
one was killed, but an engineer and fire.
man was badly hurt internally, the ex-
press messenger sustained sprained
ankle and the 80 passengers wars terribly
shaken up, though as far as known,
nons were seriously hurt.
An engine, smoking car, baggage car
and one coach were overturned and lad
Iy wrscked. Passenger train No. Z,
which left Boston at 1l.S0 q. M, and was
due at Royalton at 9. "a p. m, was lit
tie behind its schedule time and In con-
sequsnos was running at increased speed,
probably 40 miles an hour. When nearing
the turnout just east Of the station
west bound freight train was seen stand
Ing on the main track just ahead. The
switch was In position to turn the pas
senger train upon the siding, which at
that point is situated between the two
main tracks. The passenger train dashed
over the switch at high rate OF sreed,
but as 1t did so, the engine wheels
struck a frog or some other obstruction
and this locomotive left the track and
was thrown bottom mp into ditch.
The baggage car, smoking car and one
coach also left the rails aud followed the
engine, being thrown over upon their
sides. but the rear ooach held to the iron
The train was in charge OF Conductor
Fenton, Engineer Tacher Rich and
Fireman William Martin. The two
latter went over with the engine, but
did not appear to have any outward
bruises, They were badly wrenched and
1t is feared they sustained internal inju-
ries. They were both able to walk to the
train that took them to their homes late
this evening. Rich resides in Fitchburg
while Martins home is In Charlestown.
Express Messenger John Taplin suffered
o severe sprain to one OF his ankles.
There were about % passengers on the
train, among them Bishop William Law
renee of Boston, who was on his way to
Athol to attend confirmation service.
He was uninjured, although he, as we'll
as all the other passengers, received a.
severe shaking up,all being thrown from
their seats. One woman was pitched the
whole length OF the car. None OF the
passengers sustained injuries severe
enough to require surgical attention,
and as far as known, ali were able to
proceed to their destinations as soon as q
track could be cleared for the passage
of trains, which was not accomplished
until nearly 1880 O'Clock tonight. On
the train was a funeral party bound
west, the body of the dead nan being in
a box in the baggage car. This Dox was
rolled over and over and broken, but the
casket inside remained intact.
Yhe cauoe of the accident was the fail
ure to throw back the switch after the
west bound freight had passed from the
west bound maiu track to the siding.
The freight train was not injured in the
least as the passenger train left the rails
before reaching It,
Diyision Superintendent Smith arrived
on-the scene late In the afternoon and
personally directed the work of clearing
the tracks, all three Of which had been
blocked, delaying traffic in both direc-
tions. By 5.30 p m, the west bound
track had been cleared and all trains in
both directions were compelled to use
that track.