Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-10-05
CBy Associated Press)

'bS ASSoCidbtu iTtSSJ
STAUNTON, ILLS. Oct. 4.-Thirty-
seven persons were killed and from
sixteen to twenty-five injured in a col
lsion on the Illinois Traction system
two miles north of stanton late 10
day. Three of the injured and poss
bly, more are net expected to survive.
Reports from the wreck up to the
present time have been difficult toI
obtain and although some of the state
ments received from the wreck give
the number of injured as high as 50,
il is not believed it will run over %.
Three OF the dead have not been iden-
titled as yet, but are believed to be
officials of the traction system.
The collision occurred between To-
cal train nOrthbOund and an excur-
asOn headed toward St Louis and
loaded with passengers on their way
to view the parade of the Yelled
Prophet at St Louis. The accident,
according to present information, was
due entirely 10 the disregard of orders
by the crew of the local.
The local train had orders to pass
the southbound train at Stanton. The
latter train YVES running in two sec
tons and the orders given to The local
were that it should pass both sections
of the southbound train at Stanton.
Scene Of the Wreck.
The first section had passed when
the crew of he local pulled out on
the main track. needless of the sec
ond section and started north. At al
sharp turn called Dickerson's curve.
two miles north of Staunton. the two
trains came together in spl ntering
crash. DickersOn's curve is at the
bottom OF decline both from the
north and from the south. The local
train and the second section Of the
excursion train were both on the down
grade and moving at a speed of forty
miles an hour when they met. The
collision occurred right at the bottom
of the double incline and at the sharp
est part ca the curve.
The cars weT so close that it was
impossible Cor ether of them to stop
or slow down. The crew of the local
and the crew Of the specisl leaped as
soon as they saw the collision was
inevitible and escaped without Serious
injury.
No Chance for Escape.
None of the passengers had a
chance as the crash between the
trains followed so quickly after the
cries Of warning issued by the con
ductors and motormen as they jump
ed from the trains. The cars came
together with terrific crash and both
we're demolished and piled in one
huge mass of wreckagc. through
which the bodies Of the deed and
wounded we're scattered. It is certain
that by far the greater portion of the
passengers on both cars were either
killed or desperately injured.
The two trains were so close to-
gather that II was a miracle
that anybody escaped.
As quickly as possible word Of theI
accident was telephoned TO Springfield
and Peoria and a special car was inn
media,eIy rushed from these points (,
Cars also we're sent north from Grsn-
ite City.
The last took many Of the injured
and hurried them back 10 Grani'c City
where they were placed in hospitals
IS fast as the dead we're extricated
they were placed in ono OF the cars
sent from Springfield. In = short time.
a car containing twcrty-eight bod IS
vas sent % Carlinvillc. where they
we're placed in an undertaking cs'ab-
Iishmcnt Late ton,gh, oaiy three
bodies had been identified.
General Manager Chubbuck. ~ tho
traction company. vas IN Peoria
when the news u The wreck vas re-
ceived. Accompanied by minor OIL
cials he started Al once for the wreck.
Shortly after leaving Pcorsi he rcccIv.
ID word from Superintendent Hduccy
al Springfield that The dad would
number 81 and The Injured rs.