Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 148, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1904 — Monon Nearly Had a Wreck. [ARTICLE]

Monon Nearly Had a Wreck.

The Southern express on the Monon, which passes Rensselaer about midnight had a narrow escape from being wrecked at South Chicago Sunday night, and the police are investigating the matter.

Night Operator Sam Smith of the telegraph station passed the One Hundred and Fifteenth street crossing at midnight, and noticed that the switch lights were out. Knowing that the fast train was due in a few moments he ran to One Hundred and Twelth street, where Switchman James O’Malley was stationed. The two men found that some one had taken off the danger signal and thrown the switch. These were put oack in place just as the train rushed by. The police were notified and has since had two detective patrolling the tracks throughout the town. The special agents of the road have undertaken an investigating, as they fear that an attempt was made to wreck that train.