The Detroit times., 1908-04-29
(From a Special Consequently

gone home. Friends called to see
Harry Spellman, also Of Detroit.
(from Special Correspondent.)
YPSlLANTI. Mich, April 29.-Nine
dead. four OF whom were killed out
right and Al injured. several serious
ly. Is the result OF an eastbound linn
tied being telescoped in q head-on
collision with westbound local on
the Detroit. Jackson q Chicago rail-
way at PAS O'Clock yesterday after
noon, on curve at Smiths crossing,
three miles east of Ypsilanti.
Motorman lisa Fay, OF the limited.
who Is blamed for the accident by the
Detroit United Railway Co., staid at
his post, throwing on the brakes just
before the impact and was crushed to
death
Conductor Geo Meade. OF Jackson.
also of the limited. is among the seri-
ously hurt.
The limited was reduced to splin-
tiers and scrap iron as far as the par
tition which separates the smokers
section from the main part OF the car.
The cars were running about so
miles an hour when they met with a
shock that hurled the occupants from
their seats and ground many into a
maddened tang!e of flesh and blood
and splinters.
While both cars were badly wreck
ed, the limited suffered the worst.
Specials from Ypsilanti were rushed
to the scene bearing physicians and
a wrecking crew was dispatched in
haste. Farmers and their wives aid
ed In tenderly caring for the injured
and many were removed to the houses
Of the countryside.
The four who were instantly killed
were carried to the barn of Charles
Smith. Railway officials stationed at
the door refused admittance to ali
and declined to answer questions The
d.. Y. r. employees threw canvas hoods
over the wrecked cars and tried their
best to prevent the press photograph
ers from taking pictures showing the
extent OF the damage
William Deyo, justice OF the peace
OF Canton township, acted as coroner.
He impaneled jury and set the date
OF the In quest for May s. at 10 a. m.
The four bodies we're taken from
Smiths barn to Ypsilanti.
Meanwhile most of the injured had
been hurried to Ann Arbor, some be-
ing taken to the Homeopathic hospital
and others to the University hospital.
Others were sent to Detroit. where
their condition permitted.
First Day OF New Schedule.
1t was the first day of the new
schedule on the line. the running
time from Jackson to Detroit. having
been shortened by Is minutes.
The Detroit United Railway Co.. in
an Official statement. thus explains the
wreck, charging disobedience on the
part OF Motorman Fay:
Eastbound car No. 1902, leav-
ing Jackson at | p. M. in charge
of Motorman lisa Fay and Con-
ductor George Mead. ran by the
meeting point at Harris switch
and collided with westbound car
No. 80, leaving Detroit at l D. m
IN charge of Motorman George
Wingrove and Conductor Collum.
at point some two miles east
OF Harris switch. at which point
these cars were scheduled to
meet.
Motorman Fay. OF the eastbound
car, was cautioned by the dis
patcher on leaving Ypsilanti to
meet the opposing car at the reg
ular meeting point-Harris'
switch. For some unaccountable
reason he went beyond this
switch. and also went beyond
Burrell's switch without meeting
the wcstbound car. finally collid-
ing with the westbound car about
two miles east OF the switch at
which he should have waited.
The collision occurred about
300 feet after rounding a curve,
though there were no obstruc-
lions that would prevent the crew
OF one car from seeing the other
car.
The force OF the collision was
sufficient 10 drive the westbound
car into the body OF the smok-
ing compartment OF the eastbound
car, which accounts for the deaths
that resulted There we're about
three passengers on the west
bound chr and about rs on the
eastbound car.
Arrest Follows Victory In Lawsuit.