The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1903-08-11
CIRCUS TRAIN WRECK.
Twenty-Three People Killed and
a Large Number Hurt.
One Elephant and Two CameIs Were
Killed Outright, While the Other
Animals of the Menagerie and
Their Trainer Escaped

Durand, Mich, Aug. S-An air brake
circus train refused to work in the
Grand Trunk railway yards here early
Friday. causing a collision between
the two sections. The circus train was
in two sections of about 80 cars, each.
kfter-rhursday nights exhibition at
Charlotte the two trains left for La
peer over the Grand Trunk road, the
second section leaving a half hour
after the first. 1t was 3:45 o'clock
when the first section pulled into the
west end Of the Grand Trunk yards
here. A rcd light was hung on the
Engineer ProDst. of Battle Creek,
who was running the engine of the
rear train. says he saw this light and
applied the air brakes. TO his horror,
ii refused TO work. He reversed his
engine. but tic momentum of the train
behind was too great. and with crash
that aroused all of the town near the
yards. the two trains met. Three cars
of the stationary first section were tel
escOped and the engine and five cars
Of the moving train were demolished.
TIE rear car Of the first section was
caboose, in which the trainmen were
sleeping. and the next two were filled
with sleeping circus employees.
The greatest loss of life was in the
cabGcse One of the wrecked cars of
the second section was occupied by
five elephants and several camels.
One Of til elephants and two camels
were killed outright, while the other
animals and their trainer escaped.
WITH the exception of this car none of
the menagerie was wrecked, the other
demolished cars containing canvas or
wagons. and there was comparatively
little excitement among the wild ami
mails.
The death list stood Friday night
at %, seven of whom are in the
morgue unidentified. Coroner Farrer
Friday afternoon impaneled a jury,
viewed the remains and adjourned I'M
til August H.. when TIE inquest will be
held
In discussing the question of re-
sponsibility for the horror the railroad
officials uDhesitatingly lay it to Engi-
neer PTobst, of the second section OF
The train, whose home is in Battle
Creek. Probst says that TIE air brakes
on his train refused to work. bat the
officials declare that he could have
stopped the train in time to avoid seri-
Gus consequences. General Manager
F. H. Michigan said Friday afternoon:
"Probst knew that he was coming
into a yard where trains usually stand
and tale On coal and water. Tie rules
say plainly that engineers shall ap-
proach such yards with the trains I'M
der control. A brakeman sent back by
the first train warned him of the dan
ger three-Cuarters of a mile before he
got to the standing section. For near
Iy half a mile before he got to the first
train the track is straight and clear
and ne should have been able to see
the red light on the back of the train
ahead in time to stop his train
The official report on the accident is
cueQ Dy superintendent DIOWhIOO- UO
clares positively that the airbrakes
have been tested since the accident
and found to be in perfect condition
and there is evidence that they were
not applied.
E. A. Guillame, of Louisville, has tel
egraphed to Mayor Potter inquiring
whether his brother was killed, and it
is believed that he may be one OF the
dead.
Detroit. Mich. Aug. 8.-Twenty-two
of the injured circus men were brought
to Detroit Friday afternoon in a spe-
tial hospital train and taken to Har-
Der hospital At the hospital it was
stated that none of them was likely
to die Friday night, although John
Thomson. Of Peru, Ind; Geo. Clougn,
or Geneva, O.. and James Stewart. OF
Denver are in a serious condition and
may net recover.