The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-05-12
TWO MEN
CREMATED.
Collision in the B. & D.
Tunnel at Philadel-
phia Causes Loss.
of Life. ~.

Philadelphia. Pa, May BY
falling asleep at his post. Frank
Lantel. a tower operator in the EN-.
ploy of the Baltimore an Ohio Rail
road, stationed at the Callowhill
street entrance to the tunnel under
Twenty fifth street caused a terri
tic rear end collision, resulting in
the death of an engineer and tire
man, probably FIVE tramps, the in
jury to a score Of tiremen. loss OF
$3.50, 900 to rolling stock and con.
tents, besides causing one OF the
fiercest fires ever Witnessed in the
city, and which will probably burn
for the balance of the day.
Immediately after the accident
Operator iantel was spoken to by
the police, but before the orders
came for his arrest he disappeared.
The dead are
George Loeb. engineer, Philadel-
phia and Reading r abroad. Body
inside the tunnel and may never be
recovered.
George Hinchman. fireman, Phil
adelphia g. Reading Railway. Body
also in wreck.
Five tramps were reported to have
been on the wrecked train, and it is
believed their bodies have been cre-
mated.
The injured include several fire.
men.
The Stalls OF the Jefferson and
German Hospitals have been on the
scene since 3 A.. NJ, and have work
ed hard during all the time. The
tunnel Of the Subway has been turn-
ed into an improvised hospital, and
beds, blankets and sheets are
spread everywhere, while hurry
ing physicians and nurses are car
ing for the in ured.
The vicinity OF the tunne, this
morning was the scene OF the wild.
est excitement witnessed in this
city for many years, and many
thousand people were attracted by
the volcano OF flame issuing from
both openings, with a great roar
ing noise.
The story of the accident and
how it occurred is only another OF
the plumbers made by careless OPP
orators. At12. 800 clock tn is morn
ing the fast New York express
freight train of thirty eight cars
reached the tunnel on time and
slowed down so that seventeen OF
the cars could be shifted. The Sec
ond section of the Same train, COM
posed OF thirty-nine cars, was due
about ten minutes later. 1t was
Towerman Lantel's duty 10 signal
the second section III at the first Sec
tlon had stopped in the tunnel.
Instead, Lantel failed to perform
his responsible duty.
Each one OF the oil cars contain.
ed 1000 gallons, which made fine
prey for the flames. and it was only
the work OF a few minutes for the
other cars, including loaded c&al
cars, to catch on fire. An ALVIN
of fire was quickly sent in, and
number OF companies responded,
but on account of the fire being
mainly located near the centre OF
the tunnel, it was next to impossi.
bic for the fremen to accomplish
much. Chief Baxter was early on
the scene, and took charge of the
daring 6rc-Hghtcrs, who were
eager in their endeavors to save
the lives Of any injured railroad
men who were caught in the
wreck. Their efforts were with.
out avail, and it is not thought that
even the bodies Of the unfortun ate
men will be recognizable even if
they are found.
Inside the tunnel, which extends
about $500 feet along Twenty fifth
| street, from Callowhill street to
Paramount Park, the roar OF the
flames sounds like volcano, and
dense volumes Of smoke are pour
ing out each entrance. A careful
estimate on the loss is placed at
$40, 1000.