Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 August 1900 — NINE LIVES LOST. [ARTICLE]

NINE LIVES LOST.

Terrible Collision on the Grand Rnpide and Indiana Kailroad. The most terrible wreck in the history of Grand Itapids and Indiana Railroad occurred about 5 a. m. Wednesday at Pierson, twenty-nine miles north of Grand Rapids. The north-bound northland express collided head-cn with passenger train No. 2. Nine lives were lost and many passengers were injured, some severely. Both engines and the baggage cars were demolished. When the trains met day was just dawning and the fog was so thick that the engineers could not see more than 100 yards ahead. The trains were to hnvepassed at Sand Lake, two miles south of Pierson. No. 2 was evidently late, and was trying to make the siding at Pierson. The northland express had the right of way and was scurrying along at nearly full speed. Either the engineers blundered in their orders or were unable to see signals on account of the fog. The engineers and firemen of both trains were reported killed, ns well as five other persons. The express train was made up largely of Pullman cars and was the finest train on the road. It carried the Grand Rapids coach, a day coach, several sleepers from Cincinnati and the South, a buffet-breakfast enr and the baggage cars.