Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1893 — A Fatal Wreck on the Monon. [ARTICLE]

A Fatal Wreck on the Monon.

The L., N. At. <fe C. bad a wreck Saturday morning, at 3 o’clock, at the bridge across Middle Fork creek, one mile north of Rossville and near the Clinton county line. The northbound vestibule train was running at full speed, with engineer Jacob ' Brooks, of Indianapolis, and fireman Edward O’Brien in’charge of engine No. 44. There had been a terrific storm, and the side timbers of the false support for the new bridge being

constructed of steel, at the north end of the bridge, just beyond tbe water’s edge, were blown down. The timbers lay on the steel bridge, thus obstructing the way. Owing to the extreme darkness engineer Brooks did not disCoVer the obstruction until

within a few yards of the bridge. He says he time to even'shut off steam before he struck it. The engine pushed the mass of fallen limbers about eighty feet and then crashed through the old wooden bent still in use, the engine describing a complete somersault, the rear end landing on the ground and the front end leaning up against the piling, bottom side up, and pinning the engineer and fireman under the front end of tne boiler amoDg that timbers. The drop was about twenty feet. Conductor Roy Kingsley was unhurt, and with all hands turning to work, rescued the unfortunate men in about two hours.

Firemap O’Brien only recovered consciousness twice. Each time he begged for his life, but his injuries were fatal and he died about one hour after being taken out He was fearfully crushed. His home was with his mother in Lafayette, where Lis body was sent. Jacob Brooks, engineer, was badly bruised and left leg was broken above the ankle. lie is hurt internally, but will recover. He is now being cared for at the Commercial Hotel, Indianapolis. Only the tender followed the engine in the fall. The trucks of the baggage oar and smoker diopped through the wrpek* but they cleared the break and shot along on the track, remaining on. the bridge. Aside from a terrible shaking up and a few slight bruises, the passengers and other trainmen were unhurt. Three of the sleeping cars did not leave the * track, and were sent to Chicago via Lindon 1

Austin <fc Co., composed of W. B. Austin, A. H.llopkins, Geo. K. Hollingsworth, will loan you money on personal,mortgage,or chattel security, for long or short time at local bank rates. These loans can be paid back at any time, and are more desirable than bank loans, because interset is rebated. We have unlimited capital and can accomodate everybody.