Wann, IL Train Wreck, Jan 1893 - Ran Into an Open Switch

INTO AN OPEN SWITCH

Costly Railroad Smash-Up Near Alton, Ills.

THE ENGINEER BOILED TO DEATH.

An Express on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and St Louis Road Crashed into a Freight Train Loaded with Oil, Which Immediately Takes Fire--Passengers Severely Shaken up but None of Them Killed--- Miscellanoons [sic] Mishaps.

Alton, Ills, Jan.21.-- The southwestern limited express, westbound on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and St. Louis railroad due here at 9 'clock Saturday morning ran into an open switch at Wann, four miles east of here, causing the death of Engineer Ross and injuring several passengers. The passenger train was late and running at the rate of forty miles an hour. Approaching Wann Station the engine ran through an open switch and crashed into a train of freight cars standing on the siding.

The locomotive split the caboose of the freight train and plowed it [sic] way through several freight cars.

The Wreck Catches Fire
Three oil tanks exploded and scattered oil over the wreck which immediately caught fire. The flames quickly spread and before they could be subdued or the remaining cars drawn away, four freight cars, three oil tanks, baggage car, smoker and the locomotive of the ex press train were completely destroyed. Just before the collision occured the firemen of the express engine leaped to the groung [sic] and escaped with slight injuries. Engineer Webb Ross of this city remained in the cab and was carried through the wreck. He was pinned in between the tender and boiler and covered with oil from the bursting tanks. He was literally boiled to death.

Passengers Shaken Up.
The passengers on the express train received a severe shaking up, but none of them were seriously hurt. The crew of the freight train saw the approaching locomotive in time to escape from the caboose in safety. A special train carrying surgeons and a wrecking crew left here at 9 o'clock and was soon at the scene of the accident. The tracks are badly blockaded and traffic will not be resumed for some time. Passengers, however are being transferred to other lines. The material loss by the wreck will reach nearly $100,000.

Another Explosion of Oil
At noon while a large gang of workmen were engaged in clearing away the wreck, the flames reached a gasoline tank, which exploded, scattering the blazing oil in all directions. Joseph Fitzpatrick and Andrew McMillan, section men, were badly burned and were taken to their homes at East St. Louis. Timothy Houlihan, another section man, was so badly burned that his death is expected. It is reported that nearly fifty spectators were more or less injured by burning oil, and many of them were carried in wagons to neighboring farm houses where they are receiving medical attendance.

The Daily Review, Decatur, IL 22 Jan 1893