Saverton, MO Train Wreck, Jun 1890

PILED UP IN A HEAP

A Dispatcher's Carelessness Causes Another Wreck on the Long Line.

A Bad Freight Wreck Near Saverton – Two Firemen Killed – Both Engines and a Dozen Cars Demolished – Particulars of the Disaster.

Another train dispatcher was careless in the performance of his duty during Sunday night, and as a result two Long Line freight trains collided a couple of miles below Saverton early yesterday morning. The engineers of both trains had orders to run ahead, and supposing that there was a clear track were running along at the rate of twenty miles an hour when suddenly the flash of a headlight warned them of the danger. There was no time to check the momentum of the trains, and throwing over the reverse levers and whistling sharply for “brakes,” both engineers and firemen jumped. Then came the crash, and two engines and a dozen cars were reduced to a shapeless mass of twisted iron and splintered timbers. The firemen were caught in the wreck and killed. The engineers and other trainmen escaped without serious injury. The names of the dead firemen are:
HARRY NELSON.
_______ SHOERS.
They lived in Keokuk, whence the bodies were taken last night.
Advices from the scene of the wreck report that the engines and cars are piled up in a promiscuous heap, and that some of the cars are so completely demolished as to be unfit for anything but kindling wood. The shock of the collision must have been tremendous, for the track is torn up for a considerable distance, and the heavy frames of the engines badly bent and twisted. The track was not cleared for the passage of trains till late yesterday afternoon, the north bound passenger train due here at 3:15 did not arrive till after dark.
Train Dispatcher I. C. DAVIDSON, located at Hannibal, is responsible for the wreck in giving wrong orders.

The Quincy Daily Whig Illinois 1890-06-10

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SCALDED TO DEATH

Additional Particulars Concerning the Wreck on the Long Line

Two Locomotive Firemen Literally Scalded to Death and Several Other Trainmen Slightly Injured – A “Lap” Order by the Train Dispatcher the Cause.

The following additional particulars of the wreck on the St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern railroad below Saverton, Mo., an account of which was published exclusively by THE WHIG yesterday morning, is taken from The Hannibal Journal:
“A terrible wreck occurred yesterday morning at 4:45 o'clock on the St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern railroad, in which two firemen lost their lives. C. B. & K. C. engine No. 9, with a caboose attached, en route to Old Monroe to engage in work with a gravel train at that place, was backing south (there is no turn table at Old Monroe) at the rate of fifteen or eighteen miles an hour, in charge of Conductor LEMON and Brakeman TUCKER and Engineer FITZPATRICK and Fireman NELSON, the former three of this city and the latter of Keokuk. Conductor LEMON had handed the engineer the train dispatcher's orders, which were that he should meet the first section of freight train No. 18, bound north at Ashburn. About a half mile south of Busch station, and something over a mile north of Ashburn, there is an acute curve, and Engineer FITZPATRICK was leaning out of his cab and looking ahead to see if the track was clear. Immediately around the curve and approaching he discovered the smoke from a locomotive, and knowing that a collision was inevitable, he instantly reversed his engine and told his brakeman to jump, he at the same time employing similar means to save his own life. The engineer miraculously escaped with a few slight bruises, but poor NELSON, who remained on the engine, lost his life. He hardly had time to jump, as the engines were together in a moment after he received warning from FITZPATRICK. The unfortunate man was caught under the engine and was mortally scalded by the escaping steam. He was rescued from his perilous position by his comrades and as soon as possible was brought to this city and taken to the Central Hotel, on North Maine street, where he died shortly after 9 o'clock yesterday morning. Conductor LEMON and Brakeman TUCKER, who were both in the caboose at the time of the collision, were only slightly injured.

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