Fifteen Hurt in a Collision

Engineer Disobeyed the Rules and a Wreck was the Result

Feb 9 1896, Hannibal, Mo

Fifteen persons were more or less seriously hurt, and one cannot recover, as the result of a collision at 12:40 o’clock this afternoon, between an eastbound Wabash stock train and a St. Louis, Keokuk and Northwestern passenger train coming south. The collision occurred near a tunnel one mile north of this city. The stock train, which had just emerged from the tunnel struck the passenger train, crushing in the side of the ladies coach and throwing it over an embankment almost in the Mississippi River. There were fifteen passengers in the coach, and that none were killed is a miracle. All were more or less bruised, but only the following were hurt seriously:

H. F. Hudwell, of St. Paul, Minn.; arm crushed.

Miss Eva Pettit, Hannibal, Mo: eyebrow badly cut.

Miss M. Whittey, Quincy, ILL; hip fractured; recovery doubtful.

J. C. Cohen, stockman, Minneapolis; head cut.

Mrs. Triester and son, Hannibal; both cut about the head.

D. C. Webster, engineer Wabash train; knee injured.

The injured were sent to St. Louis. J. C. Peaseley, Vice President of the Burlington system, and family, were in the special car, “Lycoming,” at the rear of the passenger train. They returned to Quincy.

Responsibility for the collision is alleged to rest with the engineer of the Wabash train. He did not stop as law and instructions require before approaching the crossing. He stated that the airbrakes failed, but it was found that his engine was not reversed. The damage will approximate $5,090.