The Somerset reporter., 1908-08-20
Freight Wreck at Norridgewock


Norridgewock was treated to genu-
Inc railroad wreck, Monday after
noon fortunately with the usual nor
rors Of these occasions left out. The
regular through freight No. IS going
west. ALWAYS a heavy train passed
through here about one O'Clock with
Engineer Sawtelle il the cab. On
Monday the accumulation of business
up river required special in addition
to the regular which was known as
extra No. 20.o this 10 follow the reg
ular with suitable time interviewed
between. After the regular had pass
this village and was climbing the
heavy grade below, one Of the safety
relief valves blew of the steam chest
yoke and 50 much steam escaped that
she was unable to haul the heavy
train over the bill. Knowing that
the special was due within few min
utes hagman was sent back 10 hold
the special and No IS began TO back
slowly into town with the intention Of
be N AIDE, 1t was good half mile
back and down grade, and although
the nagman had good start at first
the train gathered momentum enough
on the down grade 10 nearly overtake
him. The hagman, train IS and train
No. 20 reached bridge hill crossing at
the same time. and there was col
ltslon. Three of the cars of train IS
were demolished and the engine Of
train 20 looked as though il had had
its front teeth pulled and several
other saucy things done to it. Every
body was scared blue and there was a
fine job in sight for the wrecking
crew.
The first car in front Of the caboose
on train IS was a Somerset fiat which
was carrying large hosting engine
belonging to the Maine Central The
rear OF this car was raised enough SO
that its entire upper part including
the heavy hosting engine was slid
back on the floor Of the caboose its
entire length smashing the upper
part of the caboose into kindling
wood. The fat was as completely
loaded onto the floor of the caboose
as though il had never had never mad
II,
trucks belonging to it had been
adopted by the next car in front,
Maine Central fat. which now mad
four truck frames with their sixteen
wheels under 1t. Although the day
was drizzly and everything was wet,
a large crowd gathered 10 see the
wreck and watch the crew clearing
the track. The traffic was delayed
about four hours. II was extremely
fort innate that the caboose had no &C.
cupants for they would have surely
been killed. The engineer of the
special could not see what was in the
yard from mis- side of the engine until
when within few cars length from
the .point where the collision occurred
on account of the very sharp curve at
this point after crossing the Ken
nebec. His fireman, Horace Thomas
formerly OF this place, was not on his
seat at the time but the fireman's seat
was occupied by the head brakeman
who saw the danger and gave the
alarm to the Others in the cab and
then jumped, he was followed by the
fireman. Mr.. Vigue stood his ground
and put on the air and reversed the
engine and did not leave the cab
until after the collision.
The Norridgewock boys who have
entered the railway service as fire.
men have been pursued by hard luck.
Beginning with Chester HAYNES was
in the wreck near Waterville last
year and lost an eye and was other
wise severely injured; Dave Staples
was in a wreck and badly shook up;
Harry Simonds was in the Carmel
wreck and was killed; and now
Horace comes in for his share. For
tunately he got more wet than burt az
he struck in the wet and mud Of the
ditch when he jumped.