New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-17
FIFTEEN PERISH
IN FLAMING TRAIN
TRAPPED REFUGEES RUSH
BLINDLY TO DEATH.
Left Burning Michigan Homes only
to Die on Way to Safety
Many 4re Injured.

TBy Telegraph TO The Tribunel
AIpena, Mich. Oct 16-Fffteen persons on a
relief train were burned to death on the De
troit Mackinaw Railroad at Koniecnzy Cross
ing, few miles south of Metz, about 10 o CLOCK
last night
The train was carrying the inhabitants OF lhe
little village of Metz. twenty-three miles north
of here to safety from the forest fires which
were sweeping away their homes. The ill-fated
train was ditched by spreading rails, and the
terrified refugees were forced to abandon the
cars and rush for safety either down the track
with burning forests on either side, or INTO lhe
ploughed fields the siding.
Eleven Of the victims were and chill
dren who were unable TO escape quickly
enough rom the gondola car which they were
occupyine Their charred bcIies were found
there to-day when rescuers reached the scene.
Two Of the men victims were members of the
train crew Four additional fatalities occurred
in the neighborhood of the wreck last night
Mr. and Mrs Frederick Wagner died from heat
and exhaustion on their farm near the scene or
the wreck. and Mr.. and Mrs Frederick NoWlcKl'
jr lost their lives in their turning house near
the siding where the wreck occurred
Metz is little town twenty-three miles north
of Alpena. with a population of about two nun
dred yesterday the inhabitants sent telegrams
north and south saying that the forest fires were
closing in all sides ana ASKING lOI TeIlel- Inc
lives of all in the village were endangered, as
there was no escape except by the railroad
When the regular freight train bound south
reached Hawks, the first station north of Metz
the news Of the danger was received.
TRAIN RUSHED TO THE RESCUE
A special train, consisting of three empty
freight box cars and two coal gondolas. was
made up and rushed to Metz. in charge of John
E. KinviIle, conductor; William Foster, engineer;
Arthur Lee, fireman. and William Barrett, brake
man.
AS rapidly as possible the people and their
goods were loaded into the Some refused
TO abandon their goods or the train might have
started earlier and reached Alpena in safety.
When the train finally started there were ABOUT
one hundred frightened persons aboard The
fla mes were already sweeping through the VII
lage. The engineer started his train for Alpena-
Nearing Koniecnzy crossing he saw blazing
piles of cedar ties on both sides Of tt" track.
Opening wide the throttle, he tried to dash
through at full speed, but the heat had loosened
the rails and they had spread, and the train
left the track. Blazing piles of ties surrounded
it and in an instant the cars caught fire The
terror-stricken people, caught by the peril from
which they were fleeing, jumped from the cars
and rushed down the tracks. Three mothers
and their little ones were not quick enough
They were burned to a crisp in the gondola car
in which they caught.
BRAKEMAN BOILED IN WATER TANK.
Barrett. the brakeman sprang into the water
tank behind the engine, only to be literally
boiled to death the flames swept over 1t.
Foster and KInville fed down the track through
the fire and smoke, and were the first to reach
the village of Posen and report the wreck and
ask for assistance from here. Behind them
struggled a burned and wounded procession Of
refugees from the wrecked train. 1t fear
fuI march over the hot ties, with the flames
from the burning woods on either side Of the
track roaring and swapping in their faces.
Foster terribly burned about the head and
face but it is thought that he will survive.
Kinville was badly scorched. James White
was totally blinded by his burns. John No
wick, ST., and his wife and Mrs. Albert Hardies
and her young son were also seriously burned.
Many more of the refugees are suffering painful
burns.
The survivors of the frghtful experience
seemed dazed by their peril and sufferings. They
seemed to realize nothing except the necessity
for running -running-running to escape the
intense heat and menacing flames. 1t diff
cult to get any coherent statements from them
as to loss of life in the wreck or as to whether
there had been any people left behind in Metz.
STORY OF A SURVIVOR.
r. S. Richards. a Bay city travelling sales
man. when he arrived at Posen, said:
"As the train left the track the heartrending
cries of women and children sent a chill over
my body. I did not wait to the outcome.
I knew it would be Of avail, and every minute
was precious. George Boston. also OF Bay City,
myself and another man started together. We
walked down the track toward Posen. In some
places the flames forced to run. and Mr.
Boston was burned about the face before he
reached safety. Several other left the
scene about the same time we did. but when we
reached Posen they were not to be seen. They
may have pershed in the flames
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