THE WAUPACA RECORD

February 09, 1905

 

RAILROAD COLLISION AT STEVENS POINT

 

Wreck Caused by an Open Switch - Engineer Was Instantly Killed

 

     Passenger No. 1, north bound on the Central ran into an open switch near the round house at Stevens Point yesterday at 10:40 a.m., colliding with a freight train, and Engineer Schell of Fond du Lac was instantly killed.  Harry Pitts the porter from Chicago was injured about the limbs, and John Morch the dining car cook of Waukesha was slightly bruised about the back and limbs.  That more people were not injured seems almost a miracle as the great engine was turned completely round facing the east.  The caboose was entirely demolished and two empty box cars are probably beyond repair.

     As far as it can be learned the accident was due to the failure of rear Brakeman Edward Dressinger to close the switch.  After the accident Dressinger was nowhere to be found and it was discovered that he was left behind at Nelson’s Siding below Amherst, where he got off to flag a following train.  Had he telegraphed ahead to his conductor the accident would probably have been averted, although it was the conductor’s duty to investigate matters where he received no signal from the brakeman.  The mail car was knocked off its trucks but beyond a few scratches here and there was not damaged.  The baggage car and the coaches did not even leave the rails and were uninjured.  All the passengers escaped without injury except one who tried to leap out of a window and was slightly cut by broken glass.  The coaches were badly shaken and all the passengers realized that some accident must have occurred.  J. J. Nelson of Amherst was one of the passengers.  The train was provided with a new mail car and engine and left for the north at 12:15.