The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-23
CANTERBURY
IN A WRECK.
j. Pierpont MOrgan's Special
Train in a Collision.
Enroute to Washington With
Archbishop on Board.
BOTH WERE SHAKEN UP
But Neither Sustained ANY
Serious Injury.
Was Running 60 Miles an Hour
When Accident ACQUIRED.

East Brookfield, Mass, Sept. pa
special train conveying the archbishop
of Canterbury from Bar Harbor, Maine,
to Washington, was wrecked on the
Boston & Albany division of the New
York Central railway near the station
here today. The archbishop was not
injured although considerably shaken
up. ]. Pierpont Morgan of New York,
who was also on the train accompany
ing the archbishop, was shaken up but
not hurt.
The special, running at the rate of
sixty miles an hour, was just passing
the station wnen a detached locomotive,
which had been drawing a train on the
North Brookfield branch, ran onto the
main line for some reason at present
unexplained. The engineer of the spe-
cial sighted a danger signal but owing
to the nigh speed of the train and the
slippery condition of the rails due ia
the mist of early morning, he found it
impossible to do more than slightly re-
duce the speed of his locomotive The
engineer of the branch engine heard the
onruSh of the special but he had not
time to move out of the way The arch
bishops train struck the North Brook
field engine with a terrific crash and
demolished it. The otner locomotive was
thrown from the rails and landed
across the eastbound track near the
wreck of the North Brookfield engine
The cars did not leave the track.
Immediately it was realized that tilS
life of the archbishop and Mrs. David
son as we'll as of others attending them
had been imperiled and first inquiries
were for them. Rev. j. Ellison the
archbishop's secretary, answered for
those in the archbiShOps private car,
saying that no one was injured With
the archbishop, besides Mrs. Davidson
and Mr.. Morgan, were Rev. Hyla Hol--
den and Rev. j. Ellison and attendants.
1t was rumored that a maid was hurt,
but her injuries were not serious. Traf-
fic on the road was blockaded for some
time
slightly injured. So great was the
speed of the special that the solitary
engine was carried along 100 yards
before it was dropped on the east
bound rails. The tracks were cons1d-
erably damaged
The archbishop's special train with
a new engine later resumed its trip
to Washington.
The special train was one engaged by
Mr.. Morgan on behalf of the archbishop
and was in charge of Conductor John
Fox of Worcester and Engineer John
Lord, of that city. The locomotive
was switching the cars in the yards as
usual. The engine was just over the
switch on the main line when the loco
motive of the special appeared around
the curve about 100 yards distant. The
air brakes of the special were set sharp
ly and though the valves were opened,
spreading sand over the rails, Engineer
Lord could not prevent striking the
local engine. which, being much lighter
than the other, was picked up on the
pilot of the special and lifted over about
300 feet of track and dropped in heap.
The wreckage completely blocked the
east bound track. The engine of the
special was badly damaged in the col
ision and interlocked with the ruins or
the branch locomotive. The shock was
not great enough to throw either OF
the two cars on the special from the
rails. None of the occupants of the
cars had left his berth except Mr.. Nor
gan who was at the breakfast tabl9
when the crash came. Large plate glass
mirrors in the cars were broken as were
also several of the breakfast dishes,
Mr. Morgan was suddenly thrown for
ward, but was not pitched from his
seat. The members of the archbishops
party were also badly shaken up but
none except a maid was injured.
Soon after the cars came to a stand
still Mr.. Morgan hurried into the East
station and sent several mes
sages. When asked as to the effect Of
he collision on those in the cars, he
said: There was accident and no
one was injured. Get this over the wires
as soon as possible-that no one was in
iured." The archbishop and party did
1ot leave the car until just before the
was resumed Mr.. Davidson
1ad nothing to say but his secretary,
Rev. Mr.. Ellison, in a brief statement
said that no one had been hurt.