Massillon, OH Train Wreck, May 1895

THROUGH A BRIDGE.

Wreck Train Wrecked--Trainmaster Killed--Others Seriously Hurt.

Massillon, O., May 11.---An improvised wreck train manned by a yard force of the Wheeling & Lake Erie here and the superintendent of transportation went through a bridge just west of the city last night. GEO. R. GIBSON, trainmaster, was killed and his body is still in the debris. Henry McDonald, brakeman, was held in water neck deep five hours, lost one leg and is seriously injured. A. J. Sout, superintendent of transportation, is seriously bruised. John Duross, engineer, was carried 200 yards by the current and caught by a clump of willows. He is very badly bruised. W. R. Suydam, roundhouse foreman, was burned about the legs. Half a dozen bridges between here and Sippo are disabled. The ill-fated train had gone to the rescue of a ditched freight train at the next wrecking of that bridge.

The lower streets of the city were inundated and families had to be rescued in boats.

Rev. Father Boerkin's house, at West Brookfield, was struck by lightning and considerably damaged. Much damage was done to trees, etc., in the vicinity of Dalton. No part of the storm touched Canton, eight miles west.

Fort Wayne News, Fort Wayne, IN 11 May 1895
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!