Strike bulletin. (Clinton, Ill.) 1913-1915, 1913-12-23
TWO INJURED IN WRECK AT AMBoY
Cssi Ger Jssps Track Esd bragg Fesvsees Gskess
late Dss~h-LsA Ns.es kt~ser HAS Mivs-uisss
Es~spe-HsIf Hs.ar~a Person. Jsss Mis-. Beiss
struck Wrecked srs un PLATFORM g.

AMBoY. bee 1.-TWO persons w.r- Injured and
half hundred had miraculous .seap.s from death
loaded coal cars on swiftly moving netthbouud
freight train lef Ia. rails and piled up not twenty
feet from the south end II the Illinois Central
passenger station. on the Platform Of which
people were standing awaiting the arrival of the
northbound passenger
Mrs John kefer and her son. John. with many
others we're standing ON tn. platform W. tbrown
OF BY the force OF the shock and SUSTAINED minor
Injuries The platform Was badly shattered
human toll. took place quickly that cy.
witnesses have difficulty ia describing IT, but In
every case there Is an expression OF wonder that
no one injured.
The ktefer boy was practically buried IN the
debris ana Was hurriedly removed from his posi-
ton and taken to the Amboy hospital. wher. he
recovered later IN the day and able walk
to his home. only few scratches being the result
OF his narrow escape.
P~ssi. o. ri.,ssr-.
Just prior to the wreck II was reported that the
passenger train would arrive and. according
~ the occupants of the depot waiting rooms hear
ing locomotive whistle. they rushed out onto
the platform. The incoming train. however. proved
TO be "A freight train and II soon Numbered past
tho station.
As thr center Of the train reached the south end
Of tn" platform one OF the heavily laden cars
was seen to s~srs- suddenly to the west and al
most Instantly. with a grinding and rumble that
could be heard all over Amboy, fourteen steel
each one Of which was loaded. twisted and
piled into an awe-inspiring heap within a few
feet Of the south end the station and the scores
81 waiting passengers.
Fi-- fog safety.
Win the frst crash the crowd on the platform.
AMI then, fe" moments later. after the damage
had been done. the same crowd and fought
It's way back to the scene OF the "A
quick investigation made by railroad Off
Gals to ascertain II any OF the human beings
the platform had been caught In the wreckAge or
had bees injured by flying coal. and there
genuine relief When IL was learned that O casual
Ties had resulted
HiOckeA Foup Tracks.
The wreckaee completely blocked four tracks,
and in most peculiar manner. The first car that
LETT the rails was pushed to the far enough
10 throw car on the west passing track off the
third track The wreckage blocked another tack.
However, the incoming northbound passenger WAS
able to get around the pile of coal 4
there are thirteen tracks In the Anboy yards and
the passengers were not seriously delayed.
Ssise 81 Steel Cars.
The value OF steel cars certainly demon
strsted In thia wreck. for had the old fash Toned
wooden 'gondolas' been In flying splinters
and coal would undoubtedly have injuSed many Of
the people on the platform and certainly the
wrecked cars would have been pushed forward
| on the crowd the platform.
That the first leave the rails WAS not
dersied directly In front of the depot Indeed
fortunate. for had such been the case the follow.
ing thirteen cars would have been piled up on
| tho Passengers.
The train was In charge of Engineer KIencks and
| Conductor Mcintyre.
The wreck took place on a straight piece Of
railroad men as to the cause. Some state that Q
| brake beam dropped. thus deraiiing one Of the
cars. and others state that q journal broke How
| ever. the scabs employed In the shops and the
rip tracks OF the Illinois Central responsible
| Tor the poor condition OF cars and engines