This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: dmjenner Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.venango/6443.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: After my post yesterday, I had many inquiries about the train wreck. Here are two articles from The Blizzard newspaper, Oil City's paper at that time. The Blizzard, August 4, 1882 AWFUL AFFAIR. A TERRIBLE TRAIL OF DEATH. A RAILROAD WRECK TWO MILES IN LENGTH, Score or More Persons Killed and Injured At about noon to-day a terrible accident-one of the most terrible ever known in this city, occurred on the Cranberry railroad, by which a score or more of men and boys were either instantly killed or frightfully injured. In the hurry and confusion incident to such an affair, it is very difficult to obtain full and authentic information, but the following facts have been learned by our reporters: The first intimation that anything bad happened was the continuous blowing of a steam whistle, on the south side. It was generally supposed that this was a fire alarm and the fire companies turned out with their usual promptness. Proceeding in the direction indicated by the whistle, the BLIZZARD reporter hurried to Sage run, and was surprised at the sight which there met his astonished gaze. Standing on its forward end and jammed in among half a dozen or more cars, all piled together in an almost unrecognizable mass, was all that remained of a locomotive. It would be impossible to give a description of the pile. It was probably twenty feet high, or more, and composed of shattered pieces of everything comprised in an engine and train cars. Going down the track, toward the Valley depot, a small party of men could be seen, and on a board which they carried was the body of a man who was either dead or dying. Two or three other parties of a similar nature could be seen coming down the run, carrying the killed or wounded. AS the reporter stood contemplating the horrible spectacle, an urchin said: "Mister, if you think that's a bad smash-up just go up the run a ways". Acting on his suggestion, the reporter started up the run and such a sight as was there witnessed he never saw before. For a distance of about two miles the track was literally strewn with the debris. Cars were shattered and torn in thousands of pieces, some of them were completely overturned and some standing on end, while the coal which they had contained was strewn over the ground for rods around. The three and a half inch axles of the trucks were bent and twisted like cords of twine; the track in some places was moved bodily for several feet; the rails, ties and all. In other places the rails were broken squarely off, while in others an inch or two would be found sheared off. In many places along the track, and several feet from it, trees of considerable size were torn out by the roots, others were broken off and the ground torn up. Looking a little further out among the bushes the remnants of the car could be found. About half a mile up the track a three inch pipe line had been broken and the oil was found flowing at a lively rate. Probably a hundred barrels ran to waste before it was repaired. Some of the cars looked as if they had been playing crack the whip. The rear end of many of them was shattered and splintered, by being drawn over the track. All along the route different pieces of the train could be found. The car wheel boxes were in some instances red hot, which fact would give some idea of the rapidity with which the train came down. Just above McAlevy's mill our reporter met David Beatty, who was bleeding from a slight wound in the head. Mr. Beatty told him that about a mile up the road about thirteen men were either dead or dying and in want of immediate assistance. This was soon noised around, and horror was depicted on every countenance at the intelligence. Soon large numbers of persons were hurrying in the direction of this scene of terror, and our reporter, jumping into a passing carriage, was hurried toward the spot. Arrived there the scene that presented itself beggags all description. The men were lying around in every conceivable posture, some groaning in agony, others barely breathing, others cold in death. Scattered around were three or four wrecked and upturned cars, and lying near a tree was the body of a man who had just been taken from beneath one of them, his brains scattered on the ground near him. Not far off was a boy, Albert Valler, who had been thrown against a tree. He was lying, all doubled up, the brains oozing from his head. Just above him were several others, variously injured, and here and there in the bushes the sound of deep groans could be heard. Steps were immediately taken to care for the men, and carriages and wagons were brought to the scene, while physicians, aided by willing hands, prepared them for removal to this city. The men who reside here were conveyed to their homes, and the others, six in number, were taken to the city hotel, where everything possible is being done to relieve their suffering. The list of killed and wounded is as follows: THE KILLED. Albert Valler, a boy who works at the Cranberry mines was thrown against a tree and had his brains dashed out. Robert McGinty who also works at the mines, was not killed outright, but was badly injured internally and soon died. George Merring, a Scotchman, was taken out from under a car. The top of his head had been crushed in and he was dead. He presented a shocking sight. His brains were strewn on the ground and the body was completely doubled up. These were brought to the city and are now in the keeping of Coroner Cox, at George Paul's. THE INJURED. Field River, from the mines was badly injured about the head and leg broken. His is a married man. Charley McGinty had his skull crushed in and it is feared was also injured internally. It is thought he cannot recover. He is a nephew of Boert McGinty, in the list of killed. Archie Lafferty , from the mines, injured internally and shoulder badly injured. Irving Carter, Oil City, ankle sprained and slightly cut about the head. Oliver Latshaw, this city, cut about the head and otherwise injured, but able to walk to town. Frank Valler, Cranberry, arm broken and otherwise cut. David Morgan, Conductor of the train, right leg crushed below the knee, and other leg injured; bad cut in throat; not expected to recover. Martha Garling, right leg broken and badly bruised. Charlie Gannon, left leg broken in two places and left arm broken. David Beatty, slightly injured. John Castello, badly injured about the head. Westley Wright, the engineer, and Spurgeon McLane the fireman, jumped off at the crossing near McAlevy's mill. Wright was picked out from among the coal just by the crossing where several of the cars left the track, add Frank Akin, a boy, was picked up from beside him, badly cut and bruised. Wright had his right arm broken near the wrist and was injured internally. The fireman, Spurgeon McLane, was badly shaken by the shock he received in jumping but it is thought he is not very badly injured. David Beatty, who escaped without serious injury, explains how it happened that so many were on the train as follows: He says there were no empties at the mines, and the miners being out of work thought they would ride down on the loaded cars and return when the empties were taken up. He said he couldn't tell how it happened, but the speed of the train seemed to gradually increase until, when going around a curve, the car he was on was thrown from the track and the next thing he new he found himself out in the bushes. It seems that in going down the grade, which is a very heavy one, the trainman lost control of the train, and although everything was done that could be, it dashed down the incline at a terrible rate, producing the results above described. The engineer and fireman remained manfully at their posts, while the train made its wild flight down the valley and only jumped from the locomotive when it was but a few rods from some cars into which they saw it must certainly plunge. What their feelings must have been as they were flying down the incline at such a terrible rate of speed, throwing the heavily loaded cars to right and left tearing up the track, uprooting trees and creating such sad havoc, can be better imagined than described. Some persons seemed to think the train was heavier than should have been run down the road, but in experiments recently made it was developed that long trains could be sent down more easily than short ones, because of the friction produced on the many curves. Assistant Superintendent Witter was on the scene as soon as possible and did everything in his power for the injured. Several of the leading physicians of the city were also promptly on hand. SPLINTERS James Hackett, a boy thirteen years old, jumped from the train into the swamp, when it commenced running too fast for him, and escaped unhurt. George Merring, one of the victims of the accident, is an old Oil City fireman. He left this country some years ago and went to England where he was captain of a fire brigade. He had only returned a few weeks ago. Conductor Morgan had died since the above was written. Several of the wounded will undoubtedly die. Five of the injured are employees of the Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Western Railway. Frank Eakin, one of the BLIZZARD's carrier boys, was among those injured. The City hotel was turned into a hospital this afternoon and all the wounded were taken there. Mr. Fritz, the proprietor, giving all the assistance possible. The whistling, which called out the fire department was caused by the wrecking of the locomotive, in which the whistle valve was broken. The Blizzard, August 5, 1882 THE HORROR! Further Particulars of the Cranberry Casualty. KILLED AND WOUNDED Full and Graphic Account of the Affair DOWN THE HILL TO DEATH! Interview with Survivors of the Dreadful Accident The terrible accident, which occurred on the Cranberry section of the Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Western road, yesterday at noon, continues the all-absorbing topic of conversation. It has now been pretty thoroughly discussed in all its bearings and nearly every person met on the streets has some new version of it to relate.As is always the case, a great many stories and reports are in circulation which have little or no foundation in fact. Many of these are exaggerations and others originate with persons who have more regard for sensational reports than they have for the truth of their statements. It is remarkable how many reports about such things always gain circulation, but it is universally the case, and this is no exception to the rule. To the minds of many of our older citizens, who were residents at the time, the sad occurrence recalls the scenes witnessed at the time of the Great Rouseville Horror, the only parallel of this accident which ever occurred in the neighborhood. That terrible catastrophe happened in 1872, and doubtless many of the readers of the Blizzard remember the harrowing details. A construction train, in charge of Conductor Poor was at Rouseville and had been ordered to return to Corry. The train had no regular time and had to pick its way along between the regular trains. It was claimed at the time that Abe Irwin, the telegraph operator at Rouseville was to blame for the accident. He wrote on the book, Train 8 passed on time, and went to the hotel for his dinner. Conductor Poor saw this on the book and told his engineer to swing out his train and pull to Rynd Farm, where he expected to side track. The gravel train consisted of four flat cars, and a caboose ahead of the engine which was pushing them to Rynd Farm. They had gone only a few rods and were just approaching the sharp curve when the down creek train came upon the caboose and the collision occ! urred. The caboose was occupied by a number of laborers and the Slaughter was Fearful. No fewer than seven men were killed instantly or died within a few minutes after being removed from the wreck. Two more died during the night and two others, who were removed to Corry, subsequently died from the effects of injuries sustained. The wreck was a very bad one, but nothing like this one. A great deal has been said and written about rapid traveling and perilous positions, but we doubt if a wilder ride was ever taken than this one. The Wild Ride. Our reporter this morning again visited the scene of the disaster, and on the way thither met Spurgeon McLane, the fireman of the wrecked engine. McLane sustained a severe shock in alighting on the ground, and his left shoulder feels very sore this evening. His ankles are also a little lame and he uses a cane in walking. He told our reporter that the engine lost all control over the cars just after leaving the first incline at Cranberry. The engine was reversed, but all to no purpose. The weight of the train behind it pushed it onward at a terrific and constantly increasing rate of speed. At every curve in the road they waited apprehensively for the impending calamity which they knew must come. At some little distance above the scene of the wreck the engineer suggested that as they could do nothing to stop the train they ought to jump and save themselves, but McLane advised that they stick to their post for a while longer, as they might be able to do something further down. ! Just after this they came to the fatal curve, and three of the cars with the trainmen and the men from Cranberry were swung off as if the train was playing a game of crack-the-whip. At the next curve, near the bridge, about three-quarters of a mile below, three more were thrown off. Then they made ready to jump, and as they shot past McAlevy's crossing McLane remembers being on the step and then all was a blank until he recovered consciousness in his own house. Under the Wreck. Young Eakin was on one of the cars just behind the engine, and was thrown off at McAlevy's crossing and picked out from among the coal spilled out of the cars which were wrecked just there. It was at this place that Engineer Wright was also picked up, badly injured, while McLane was picked up on the other side of the track. These three were the last persons on the train, though some of the women living near were positive there is a fourth yet to be found beneath some of the wreck further down. This gave rise to a rumor last night that Jesse Bleakeley had left the mines on the train and was not to be found among the killed or wounded. It was later learned, however, from persons who came down from Cranberry after the accident, that he had not left the mines, as he expected to and was therefore safe and sound. The Wreck. The engine, after the engineer and fireman had left it shot ahead with the cars attached to it to the curve just below and leaving the track, shot down into a hollow place. Some persons who were at a distance say that after hearing the crash and looking toward the spot they seemed to see a great mass leap into the air to about the height of thirty feet, and then fall back, leaving the air full of smoke and steam. From the appearance of the wreck this mass must have been the locomotive and tender, which this morning were still lying beside the track, doubled together jack-knife fashion, the tender underneath. The cars near the engine were mixed together, in every conceivable shape, while the cars further back were not so badly damaged, but the track was all torn up. The work of clearing the wreck away progresses rapidly, and Superintendent Watson is on hand to look after matters. A Timely Leap. Two boys who live at Cranberry, Charles Rigdon and George Williams, were on the train when it left Cranberry, and told our reporter this morning that after the train had left the short incline they came to the conclusion that it was beyond the power of the men to handle to handle and decided that their best course was to jump, which they did, and subsequent events showed the wisdom of this course. Another boy named Johnny Wallace who was on the train with them jumped off a while before them. The dead and wounded up to the present writing are as follows. Dead. Albert Valler George Merring Robert McGinty Charles McGinty David Morgan John Costello Wounded Charlie Gannon Matthew Farling James Smith Archie Lafferty Frank Valler Field Revere W. W. Wright Irving Carter Ulery Latshaw Frank Eakin David Beatty David Morgan's injuries were noted in yesterday's paper. He leaves a wife and five children, the oldest not more than eight years in very poor circumstances. The railroad officials have given orders that the family be supplied with everything necessary to their comfort. Charles McGinty died after being taken to the City hotel. Albert Valler, aged about thirteen, and George Merring, the man who had recently returned from England, were killed outright, and Robert McGinty died at the scene of the disaster. Costello died about nine o'clock last night. He was a married man and leaves a wife and several children. He has lived at Cranberry for six or seven years. Field Rivere is thought to have received injuries from which he cannot recover. He has a very bad cut on the right side of the head and the skull is thought to be fractured. He is a married man and has two children. His family is away visiting some place at present and probably do not yet know of the accident. They came here from Catfish last summer, and we understand Rivere's brother has been wired concerning the occurrence. Charlie Gannon, aged about eighteen, has his left leg broken and face and head cut. His mother and brother are here with him. James Smith, aged about fifteen, was on the train when the first cars went off the track. One of his arms was broken, but he walked bravely back to Cranberry, and told of the occurrence. The fracture, a bad one, was reduced by Dr. Diven, of that place, and the little fellow never lay down to have it done. He is a stepson of Kossler. Frank Valler's head is badly cut and his right arm broken. He complains of a great pain in the back. His mother is here. Westley Wright, the engineer, is at present lying in a very precarious condition and his chances for living or dying are considered about equal. He is reported a trifle easier this afternoon but it is feared he cannot recover. He is the man who was recently suspended from the road because of an accident up the river. When suspended he was ordered to report for service again August 3d. He did so and commenced working the day before the occurrence of the accident which will probably result in his death. Conductor Myers, who was suspended at the same time, will not resume work until next Monday. Had Wright been suspended for the same length of time he probably would have escaped the accident. He has a wife and one child. Archie Lafferty's head is cut and his side very badly bruised. He is a relative of Mr. Gilmore , of this city, whose hands were blown off some years ago. Matthew Garling's right leg was so badly injured just above the ankle that it was found necessary to amputate it. His left leg is broken in two places and head is badly bruised. His age is eighteen. His mother is with him. The family had only moved here from England last December. Ulery (not Oliver) Latshaw was cut about the head and face, but with a little assistance walked home, where he was taken with spasms almost immediately. He is now in a favorable condition. Frank Aiken had an arm broken and was otherwise cut and bruised, but is now getting along nicely. David Beatty was bruised about the forehead and on the back, but his injuries were not of a serious nature. What They Say. A BLIZZARD man called on Division Superintendent Witter and asked him if the raport was true that the cars used on the Cranberry branch were of an inferior quality. He stated that all such statements are erroneous. The cars used are placed there by the Valley road and are the same as are in every day use on the road. Some of them are comparatively new and others are older. They are mixed the same as those used on any road. They are examined at each end of the line and the conductor is instructed to never take a car that is not all right. For the purpose of repairing any damaged car a blacksmith is kept at the mines constantly. The brakes are the same as those used on all freight cars-no better and no worse. When asked about the miners riding on the freight trains, Mr. Witter said: It is next to impossible to keep them off. They are frequently driven off the cars and often go to another part of the train to get on again. He further stated that on the day of the accident a number of the miners were ordered off the train. It is stated by some of the men along the run who pump wells, that when the train started up to the mines, early in the day, a number of boys boarded it and were put off by the train men. Some fo the lads determined to ride down, walked fully five miles for that purpose. It is the same on this branch as on the others. Boys and men are continually climbing on the trains, thereby causing the railroad men the greatest annoyance, besides risking their own lives. The unfortunate occurrence causes the deepest regret on the part of Mr. Witter, but he is certainly not in any way accountable for it. Having but recently assumed his present position he feels it more keenly than would otherwise have been the case, but he is no more to blame for it than the man in the moon. The Inquest. Yesterday evening Coroner Cox empanneled a jury consisting of the following named gentlemen: H. C. Graham, foreman, I Halloway, J. McCollum, J. B. Reynolds, William Dwyer and Dr. C. A. Cooper. After being sworn, they proceeded to view the remains, look over the scene of the accident and make a careful examination of the wreck. After doing this they adjourned to meet again at 9 o'clock this morning. At that hour they reassembled at the mayor's office and proceeded to W. F. Groves undertaking establishment to view the remains of John Costello, who died during the night. They then returned to the council chamber and commenced taking testimony. James Kennedy, superintendent of the mines, was examined, but knew very little about the accident. He was at dinner when the train left. He stated that Conductor Morgan of the ill fated train informed him that he had been ordered not to let boys ride on the trains at all. David Beatty, a miner, testified that he was on the rear end of the rear car when it was thrown from the track. He was holding in his lap the boy, Albert Valler, who was killed. He said the train was running so fast that objects could not be distinguished at all. The trees all blended together like one. He thought the brakes were insufficient for the train. Charles Wigton, a miner, jumped off the train about three or four miles above where the first cars left the track, because he saw they were running too fast and he feared an accident. George Williams did the same and for the same reason. David Frost, a trackman, didn't know much about it. The testimony was not of a very important nature and the inquest was adjourned until three o'clock this afternoon. A Characteristic Order. Superintendent O. Watson, Jr., who is in the city giving his personal attention to the care of the persons injured, this afternoon received the following characteristic order from President Jones. Philadelphia, August R. O. Watson, Jr. I need not say to you to do all in your power for those injured in the accident yesterday. J. W. Jones. The Last Act Arrangements have been made for the burial of Robert McGinty, Charles McGinty and John Costello to-morrow. The funeral will take place from the Catholic church at two p.m. and the expense will be defrayed by the railroad company. George Merring was formerly a member of Vandergrift hose company. The members thereof will meet this evening to make arrangements for his burial. Coroner Cox told them he would attend to securing a minister and church. The funeral will probably take place from the Baptist church. The remains of the boy Albert Vallor, were taken to Cranberry for burial by the parents. Conductor Morgan's brother was sent for and arrived here this afternoon from Altoona, Pa., to which place it is expected the remains will be taken for interment. (The above was typed exactly how it appeared in the newspaper including spelling errors. The Blizzard was an Oil City newspaper.) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.