Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1902 — LAD TURNS SWITCH JUST TO SEE THE FUN [ARTICLE]

LAD TURNS SWITCH JUST TO SEE THE FUN

Boy Confesses to Having Caused Accident in Which Motorman Lost His Life.

Elgin, 111., special: By the arrest of Frank Lieb, 12 years old, the authorities of Elgin have solved the mystery which surrounded a wreck on the line of the Elgin, Aurora & Southern Traction company which resulted in the loss of one life and serious injuries to three persons. Lieb confessed to City Marshal L. L. Freeman of Elgin that he had turned a switch on the car line to see "tho fun” when two cars crashed together. He endeavored to shield himself by declaring that his deed had been instigated by William Holmes, three years older than himself, for whom the police are now looking. The wreck occurred on August 3 between Elgin and Dundee, when a train ran into a car standing on a switch in front of the baseball grounds. Motorman Frank Minard lost his life and Motorman Charles Warner lost a log, while two women were seriously injured. The accident cost the street railway company 915,000 in damages.