Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 January 1893 — Another Bad Accident on the Monon. [ARTICLE]

Another Bad Accident on the Monon.

A Locomotive Boiler Explodes, At Francesvilte, and Three Men killed. A bad accident occured al Francisviile, on the Monon and Michigan "City divisioir ofTbe L. N. A tMJ r, Ry., resulting in the deaths of Ihree men, last week, Tuesday. The following particulars are condensed from the Monon News:

The Monon has been remarkably free from accidents for the last year; but where steam and the rail are used, accidents must be expected.. Last Tuesday Con Cavenaugh, engineer, Wm. N. McCarty, Fireman, and Harry Buck, Brakeman were at their post of duty, on a special freight from Monon to Michigan City. They side tracked at Francesville for the 11 o’clock a. m. passenger going south, to pass. They were quite a hmg time on the stde track, accumulated fast, so that a strong force of steam was indicated. When the passenger palled in they started for the main track, on their trip to Michigan City. When within a short distance of the north end of the switch, the crown sheet over the fire box gave way, letting the water and steam into the fire box, causing a terrific explosion. Tbe force of the steam passed through the Hues blowing the covering-door off the front of the engine striking a farmer named Mike Lyneh, in the gromS, probably seriously injuring him, according to late reports. Caveuaugh was blown high in the air lighting on liis head and sholders about 100 feet away. McCarty was blown to the west side of the road about. 60 feet away, on his head, and was teriibly scalded. Buck was blown over the tank and two freight cars, lighting on the third car. Cavenaugh lived 12 hours. He was conscious until 5 hours before his death, when he fell into a stupor and never rallied, he died at Section Foreman Hackett’s house. He was 30 years old and single. His remains were taken to Michigan City . Harry Buck was the son of James Buck of Lafayette, a wealty man of that citv, who bad

offered to give him a farm worth ten thousand dollars to stay at home. He had been but a short time on the road, Buck died about five hours after the accident, in the depot at Francesville. His father Mid mother came after him, and Wednesday took him to their home. He was 25 years old. McCarty was brought Wednesday to the Monon House, and Thurs. day at about nine o’clock he died. He lived at Indianapolis, was a widower with one child, and was about 30 years old. His mother and Sister came Wednesday and cared for him. He was terribly burned. The cause of the accident is unknown. It was a large and heavy engine, and seemingly in good condition. Cavenaugh and Buck talked some before death, and were brave and heroic to the last. They were favorites with all who knew them. Cavenaugh was a very powerful man but peaceable. No blame attaches to any person, so far as known. The Company’s officers did all in their power to alleviate the suffering of the injured men. Dre, Clay ton and Carr of Monon were sent up and all the Doctors at Francesville summoned, who did all that human shill could do. No complaint has been made by any of the men, they all seem to regard it as one ot the dangers incident to the life of the The farmer wbo was hurt was unloading"bay about 100 feet away and his wagon was all blown to pieces, the drop door at the front of the engine was blown Bgamst it.