Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1901 — EIGHT DIE IN WRECK. [ARTICLE]

EIGHT DIE IN WRECK.

Trains in Frightful Crash Near Rockford, Ill—Flames Add to Horror. Eight persons were killed and eleven injured in a frightful collision on the Illinois Central Railroad near Perryville, Ill. Fire broke out almost instantly and consumed the wreckage so soon that rescue of victims was impossible, the injured who escaped being roasted to death and more fortunate survivors suffered from exposure to the weather. The temperature was 20 degrees below zero, with an icy wind blowing, and all hats and wraps had been lost in the wreck. The two trains which collided were the regular Omaha train No. 4 and a through freight train coming from Chicago. The passenger consisted of a baggage and express car, a smoker coach, parlor car and dining car. It was running at high speed, being over three hours late on account of cold weather. The freight was also running at high speed in an effort to reach Rockford and the two trains came together without warning, there being a slight curve at that place. The trains met in a slight bend in the track and the crash of the engines was terrific. The roof of one car was hurled into a field fan from the right of way, and, a casting weighing half a ton was thrown 100 feet. The smoking, express and baggage cars were piled on the locomotives, penning in the occupants of the smoker. Only three of the half-dozen in that car escaped. The others, if not instantly killed, were roasted to death and their bodies, along wiiji those of the engine crews, were entirely consumed. All efforts of the survivors to reach the victims were unavailing. The flames drove them back at every point. By the united efforts of the survivors the *'ay car was pushed back from the wreckage to escape the flames and the wounded were placed on the bunks inside. Two hours elapsed before any relief was at hand. Then an engine arrived from the east and pulled the way car to Irene, three miles distant, where the injured were given medical attention.