Wann Disaster - East Alton
East Alton History | East Alton Newspaper Articles
The Wann Disaster was the most horrific railroad tragedy that
occurred in Madison County history, involving the greatest loss of
life in a single incident, and the most numerous cases of personal
injury. It occurred near the Wann Station at East Alton (also called
Alton Junction) on the Big Four Railroad, about 4 miles east of
Alton, near the corner of Shamrock and Main in the present-day
village of East Alton.
On
Saturday, January 21, 1893, the Southwestern Limited train on the
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad (also called the
Big Four) left St. Louis at 8:05 AM, and was due at Wann Station (in
Alton Junction - now East Alton) at 8:50 AM. Howard Clelland was the
Conductor of the five passenger cars drawn by Engine No. 109. The
engineer was Webb Ross of Mattoon, and the fireman was Richard
White, also of Mattoon. The train was running at a higher rate of
speed than usual, approaching a slight curve. Rounding the curve, it
was instantly seen that a switch was mistakenly left open with a
long line of oil tank cars on the siding. Fireman White immediately
jumped, while Engineer Ross applied the brakes, but it was too late
- the passenger train collided with the 25 oil tank cars. Initially,
most passengers were not injured in the collision. When the nearby
residents and business owners heard the collision, they ran toward
the train to give aid, not knowing what was soon to happen. The oil
tankers caught fire from the collision, and then an terrible
explosion followed, sending 7,000 gallons of burning oil, later
called "a rain of fire," fifty feet into the air. Engineer Ross was
trapped alongside of his engine as oil poured over him, burning him
to a crisp. Fourteen box cars on the siding caught fire and burned
like paper. Another tank car which was burning suddenly exploded,
and four others did so almost simultaneously, scattering the burning
fluid in all directions. The large crowd of over 100 spectators were
covered with burning oil, their flesh burning. Seven more tank cars
took fire and burned. Houses and trees caught fire and the
stockyards also burned. All the houses near the scene of the
disaster were destroyed. Thousands of people rushed to the scene to
aid the injured and dying. The newspapers soon learned of the
disaster, but at first did not realize the full extent of the
damage. As the days went on, the true horror was fully revealed.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES:
FEARFUL DISASTER AT WANN - BIG FOUR LIMITED COLLIDES WITH OIL
TRAIN
Alton Telegraph, Thursday, January 26, 1893 (From the Saturday
Daily)
An appalling accident happened at Alton Junction this morning. The
Southwestern Limited train on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago &
St. Louis Railroad, leaving St. Louis at 8:05 and due at Alton
Junction at 8:50, met with a destruction and loss of life that was
awful. The train was in charge of Conductor Howard Clelland and is a
solid vestibule of five cars drawn by Engine No. 109. The engineer
is Webb Ross of Mattoon, and the fireman Richard White, of the same
place. The train was running at a high rate of speed and the track
cannot be seen ahead, owing to a slight curve. They dashed around
the curve and saw instantly an open switch with a long line of tank
cars on the siding. Fireman White jumped and saved himself. Engineer
Ross applied the air and the next instant the beautiful palace train
crashed into the oil tank cars, 25 in number and all filled. The
head of the engine was stove in. The next instant a lurid glare
filled the air, an explosion which made the earth tremble followed
and then 7,000 gallons of burning oil was sent fifty feet into the
air. Engineer Ross was not injured in the collision, but jumped and
fell alongside of his engine. The oil poured over him and he was
burned to a crisp. Later, he was picked up and carried to a house.
Fireman White stood beside the dead body of his companion moaning
and weeping as if his heart would break. He exclaimed: "He saved the
passengers but lost his life in doing it." The engine and cafe car
were enveloped in flames and totally destroyed. In the compartment
of the cafe car was the corpse of Miss Morris, enroute from St.
Louis. It was burned with the car. Seven tanks took fire. the awful
glare obscured the sun. Fourteen box cars on the siding caught fire
and burned like paper.
The heat was intense. A switch engine close by removed the rest of
the tank line cars and the four remaining cars of the limited to a
safe distance. None of the passengers were injured other than a
severe shaking up. A wrecking train appeared from St. Louis, but
could do nothing but remove side track cars from danger. The stand
pipes at the station were opened and the water allowed to flood the
tracks for a hundred yards in front of the depot. The loss will foot
up to $50,000 and over. The total destruction being the passenger
engine, cafe car, seven union tank cars, all filled with oil,
fourteen box cars, a number of which contained merchandise. The Big
Four and Burlington trains were compelled to come over the Chicago &
Alton tracks to this city [Alton] and from thence to Alton Junction
on the Big Four, thus getting around the furnace of burning cars.
Hundreds of people were at the scene of the disaster. The tracks
where the explosion occurred were twisted out of shape and the oil
car thrown onto the main track to the side. How the switch was left
open is not known. It was the grossest negligence on the part of
someone, for two switches close together were open, so if the train
had not run on the first it would have run onto the other. There
were switch engines in the yard and some switchman was undoubtedly
negligent.
LATER:
At noon word was received in this city of a disaster more appalling
than the first. One of the tanks, which was burning suddenly
exploded, and four others did so almost simultaneously, scattering
the burning fluid in all directions. The large crowd of spectators
were literally covered with the burning oil. The scene was terrible.
Most were literally burned into a crisp, others had the flesh burned
to the bone. The sight was one that made the stoutest heart faint.
On all sides were moans and screams of the wounded. Five dead bodies
have been found, two boys and three men. One of the men was a
student of Shurtleff College, of Iowa, named Hiram Cornelius. One of
the boys burned to death was Edward Miller of Alton Junction. His
father, William Miller, was very badly burned. The other three
bodies have not been identified, being burned to a crisp. Such a
scene has possibly not been witnessed in this country for years.
Seven more tank cars took fire and burned. Two more houses besides
those burned earlier. The trees took fire and are burning. The
stockyards also burned. All the houses near the scene of the
disaster have been destroyed.
Desolation and agony are on all hands. Thousands of people are now
at the scene and doing all that can be done for the unfortunates.
All the doctors from Alton and vicinity were called and are busily
engaged in helping. Mrs. S. Demuth did heroic work in general
direction and attending the suffering of the wounded. After the oil
explosion Saturday, and the subsequent awful scenes which shocked
the country for its ghastliness, Altonians went to work forming
Relief Committees to attend the wants of the hundreds of burned and
maimed people who are now scattered over the neighboring country.
The dead now number twenty.
AT ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL
As the victims were attended at Wann, they were placed on a Big Four
special train and brought to Alton. From the depot they were
conveyed to St. Joseph's Hospital by the patrol wagon and tenderly
cared for by willing hands. The physicians and sisters cared for
their sufferings and relieved them as much as was possible. A visit
to the wards in the hospital yesterday was a sight that made it
impress on everyone who saw it. In the southeast ward where the
fatally burned ones are confined, a scene calculated to make the
heart sad was presented. There are ten victims in this room. Lying
on the beds, surrounded each by a few friends, the victims of that
seething rain of oil writhe in their agony. Their quivering flesh is
wrapped in cotton from their toes to top of their head. Nothing but
lips are visible and it is impossible to tell whom you are gazing.
Their lips are swollen to an enormous size, and in some instances
glued together, requiring water to be sprayed upon them almost
constantly. The bodies enveloped in cotton writhe and quiver and the
poor victim gasps for breath and moans piteously. The room has a
sickening odor. On the first couch lay Joseph Herman, his form in
cotton reclining on the arm of a loving father, a weeping sister
beside him, unable to speak. The names of the injured are written on
a slip of paper and pasted over the top of the bedstead.
In Ward No. 2 are eight more victims, a few of whom are not entirely
enveloped in cotton and present awful appearances, a description of
which we will not give. In three wards there were twenty-three
victims, seven dead removed since the first arrival. As the victims
breathe their last, they are taken to the dead room and placed in
the hands of undertakers. The bedding at the hospital gave out. A
relief committee yesterday purchased large quantities and had it
sent to the hospital.
The members of the Flood Relief Committee got together yesterday
morning and collected a large supply of clothes and bedcovering for
those that were in need of such and hired buggies to deliver them; a
large amount going to Alton Junction. Among those who were active in
seeing that nothing was needed by the victims were Mesdames Clement,
Hamilton, and Babbits, who collected bed clothes and distributed
them about.
CORONER’S INQUEST FOR ENGINEER
Coroner Kinder appeared on the scene at Wann Saturday and
immediately got together a jury to inquire into the death of
Engineer Webb Ross. The verbatim verdict was:
“We, the undersigned jurors, sworn to inquire of the death of Webb
Ross, on oath do find that he came to his death by accident caused
by a misplaced switch on the Big Four road at Wann Station, Engine
109 running into a switch of oil tanks and causing a collision.”
Signed by W. W. Lowe, William J. McGauteen, Christian Ulrich, Anton
Ringering, John D. Janssen, and Mathias Ringering.
PLACING BLAME
The blame has centered upon Albert Gratten, a switchman in the
employ of the Big Four at Wann. It seems that Gratten is by trade a
barber and was placed on the force of switchmen a short time ago
when a number of men quit on account of a wage difficulty. He was a
novice and incapable of doing his work properly. He has not been
seen since the accident. [It was later discovered that Gratten was
also burned severely on his head, and had not fled.]
SEARCHING FOR SURVIVORS AND BODIES
Yesterday morning the scene of the disaster was gone over by a
number of men who thought it possible that all the injured were not
yet found. Their beliefs were well founded, for at a distance from
the tanks the remains of two men were found. It was an awful sight.
Both men were horribly burned and had lain there for twenty hours.
After the burning oil had descended upon them, they ran until they
fell. The name of one man was John Burke and he lives at Fosterburg;
the other man is not known. Both were alive and have been brought to
St. Joseph's Hospital.
CORONER’S INQUEST FOR 5 MEN
Coroner Thomas Kinder held an inquest over the remains of William
Shattuck, Henry Penning, Willie McCarthy, John Lock and Charles
Maupin, at St. Joseph's Hospital yesterday afternoon. The following
verdict was rendered at 3:30 p.m.:
“We, the undersigned jurors, sworn to inquire into the death of ( ),
on oath do find that deceased came to their death by injuries caused
from the explosion of oil tanks on the C. C. C. & St. L. Railroad,
at Alton Junction, January 21. Signed by W. L. Fairman, Foreman, E.
F. Braunagle, B. Fahrig, W. H. Platt, F. Volbracht, and Lawrence
Fahrig.
All the witnesses examined testified merely to the explosion and not
of the collision, and the verdict was rendered in accordance with
these facts. The coroner held inquests over a number of the victims
in Upper Alton, Alton Junction and Alton, with the verdict in
substance the same as the above, and different jurors.
CASUALTY LIST GROWS
The
fatalities of burned victims of the Wann horror are gradually
increasing the already large list of dead. Three more victims are
added to the number since yesterday. They are, Henry Wiegand of
Alton Junction, and W. B. Richardson of Alton. Henry Wiegand is 28
years of age. He leaves a wife to mourn his death. He was highly
respected by all who knew him. W. B. Richardson died at the hospital
this morning at 6:30 a.m. He was 26 years of age on the 23rd of
September last.
Four others at St. Joseph's Hospital are very low. They are:
Otto Hagaman, aged 14; Alton.
Joseph Hermann Jr., aged 12; Alton.
David Richardson, Alton; brother of W. B. Richardson.
Frank Bartel of Stamford, Can., a glassblower.
WITNESS ACCOUNTS
Many people have a vague idea regarding what caused the victims'
burns in Saturday's explosion, and cannot understand how the fire
covered such a space. As soon as the tank exploded, the ignited oil
was blown to a great height and then descended as a rain of fire
within a radius of two hundred yards of where the tanks had stood.
Wherever a drop touched a person, it burned deep and all the efforts
of the victim to smother it were fruitless. This accounts for the
fatality of the burns. In some cases, it descended in bucketsful and
the victim was burned to a crisp from head to foot.
A gentleman in Alton who was a witness of the explosion, and who was
just
out of harm's way, relates the following: "As soon as the explosion
occurred, everyone seemed paralyzed. A seething rain of fire
descended on those that were watching the fire from the little grove
on the bank, this side of the conflagration. Immediately men and
boys, blazing from head to foot, started to run through the grove.
Many dropped before they had gone any distance, and others stopped,
frantically trying to remove a coat, vest or shirt. Some were in
such agony that they removed every vestige of clothing and ran pell
mell to the station. It was an awful sight."
Another gentleman who is among the list of slightly injured was
standing at the corner grocery near the grove. He witnessed the
fearful sight mentioned above and says: "Just after the stunning
report of the explosion, a man rushed toward where several others
and myself were standing. He shouted, ‘For God's sake, men, cut
these boots off of me.’ Knives promptly cut the leather from the top
to toe. The oil had filled both boots and burned his legs to a
crisp. When his boots were taken off, the clothing and flesh came
with them. He was in awful agony." The man was fatally burned.
One man, while lying in the depot burned so that it was impossible
for him to recover, told the physician who came to attend him to
relieve those little boys first, he would wait."
The worst afflicted family is that of William Miller, a farmer
living near Alton Junction. Mr. Miller and his four sons went to the
scene of the wreck early in the day. At the time of the explosion
all were near and consequently all received injuries. The father,
William Miller, aged 58 years, and his eldest son, Edward Miller, a
student at Shurtleff College, aged 25 years, received injuries from
which they died. Frank Miller received severe injuries which may
prove fatal. Julius Miller was badly burned about the face, head and
hands. William Miller Jr. also received injuries, which however,
were slight. A double funeral took place from their home yesterday.
After the wreck was partially removed, curious relic-seekers
searched among the charred ruins of the cafe car for valuables. The
porter on the car was looser to the amount of over a hundred
dollars, his earnings for several months and most of which he had in
silver. Melted silver was found, some pieces but little injured. A
number of watches were found at the scene of the wreck that had
fallen from burning vests hurriedly removed by the victims.
Mr. William Henry of Alton Junction, is deserving of much praise for
his magnanimous treatment of the sufferers at Alton Junction. His
doors were thrown wide open and the victims brought inside by scores
to have their injuries whether serious or slight, attended.
Everything necessary was dealt out without a thought of pay for it.
Comforts were provided, sheets torn up for bandages, and in many
other ways did he give his assistance. At least $100 worth of goods
were used up and Mr. Henry received no pay for it at the time, at
least. These facts were obtained from an eye witness.
A. L. Gratton, the switchman, who was responsible for the open
switch which caused the wreck of the limited Big Four train, has not
fled the consequences, as has been stated. Gratton was among the
number who received burns. He is now at Alton Junction nursing a
severely burned head.
A SORROW STRICKEN COMMUNITY
Alton Telegraph, January 26, 1893
Never in the history of Alton, Upper Alton, Alton Junction and
vicinity, possibly never in the history of any community in the
Mississippi Valley, has such terrible suffering and death entered so
many homes at one time. The disaster at Alton Junction on Saturday
last is overwhelming. Not far from one hundred people were the
victims of the cloud of burning oil sent forth by the explosion.
Already twenty lives have gone out, and there is little hope for
another large number, who are burned and charred almost beyond
recognition. One whole family, named Miller, at the Junction, were
stricken, two of whom have died. Other homes are waiting to hear the
dread news that loved ones have passed away, and still others are
bending over sufferers with but little hope that the heroic
fortitude manifested by the stricken will be crowned by a
restoration to health. Not a small part of the sorrow is over the
large number of children who went down in the fiery flame of oil.
Little boys, only 12 years of age, were there, and they have been
borne home to grief-stricken parents as charred corpses, or as
blackened and terrible sufferers. To say that there is an intense
feeling of sympathy with the afflicted families puts the case but
mildly. The Altons and vicinity have felt the heavy hand of
affliction before, but they are now bowed down with the grief of
this great calamity.
BURN PATIENTS IMPROVING
Alton Telegraph, Thursday, January 26, 1893
All the burned patients at the hospital had a good night's rest last
night. This was occasioned by the dressing of their wounds, most of
the patients going to sleep very soon thereafter. All the physicians
who were present have done splendid service, not sparing themselves
in order that the poor victims may have constant care. Dr. Haskell
is in general charge, with the following gentlemen on watch: Dr.
Fisher, from 6 to 12 a.m.; Dr. Fiegenbaum, 12 to 6 p.m.; Dr.
Halliburton, 6 to 12 at night; Dr. Taphorn, from 12 to 6 in the
morning. Other physicians render all the assistance they can. Mr.
Eben Caldwell is reported as getting along nicely, obtaining
considerable rest. Mr. Charles Harris, while still suffering
intensely, is doing as well as could be expected. Nothing more
serious than a period of severe suffering will result in either
case.
DOCTOR YERKES BURNED - WENT ON HELPING OTHERS
Alton Telegraph, Thursday, January 26, 1893
Dr. Yerkes was at Alton Junction Saturday attending a patient when
the oil explosion occurred. In going to the scene of the disaster
the Doctor was running. He came in contact with someone else who was
also running, and the Doctor fell, his hat dropping off. He got up,
replaced his hat and went to work alleviating the suffering of the
victims of the explosion. He accompanied the patients to the
hospital, dressing the injuries of as many as possible. After the
rush was over, Dr. Yerkes turned to another physician who was
present and said: "Doctor, I wish you would look at my head; it is
burning as if it was going to explode." The other Doctor made an
examination and pronounced the cause of the trouble an oil burn. Dr.
Yerkes, when knocked down by the collision with the man at the
Junction, fell flat on his face, and some of the rain of burning oil
fell on the Doctor's bald spot, but so eager was he to help others
he did not notice his own suffering until he had attended the
suffering of others.
THE WANN SWITCHMAN - WHAT IS THE TRUTH?
Alton Telegraph, Thursday, January 26, 1893
To get at the truth of the rumors regarding Gratton, and whether or
not he had been barbering during the time he was employed as
switchman at Wann, a Telegraph representative went there this
morning and interviewed a number of citizens. A visited was paid to
Gratton's shop. It is an unpretentious little frame addition to the
rear of Jacob Baum's saloon, which is at the "forks on the roads" in
Alton Junction. There is nothing in the shop but a barber chair and
one small looking glass. Jacob Baum, proprietor of the saloon,
stated that he owned the barber shop, and the chair and glass.
Gratton came to him about a month ago and said he had a job at
switching. Baum asked him the first Sunday he worked if he intended
to quit the barber business and Gratton replied in the affirmative,
whereupon Baum told him to pack up his things and get out of the
shop as he wanted a tenant who would be at work, for there was a
crowd to get shaved. This Gratton did and his career as a barber
ceased. "I remember," said Baum, "of his having shaved one man, but
it was for accommodation only." H. Gormley was in Baum's saloon
during the interview and came forward with the statement that he was
the man Gratton shaved a week ago Saturday night. He says Gratton
shaved him on account of friendship and no money was paid. George
Steinbach, the bartender at Baum's, stated that he had his hair cut
by Gratton one night after working hours, for which he paid him the
usual price. George Argus stated that he wanted to get shaved one
night, but Gratton would not shave him. Mr. Baum stated also that
Gratton had cut Thomas Russell's hair, but that too was out of
accommodation and was after working hours. J. W. Cassella stated
that he had not seen the shop open during the time. He had asked
several friends if Gratton's shop was open but was always told "No."
William Henry and George Henry say they have not seen Gratton around
the shop since he went to work on the railroad. Thus, it would
appear that Gratton did quit barbering, but that when away from the
railroad, he cut two men's hair and shaved one, for which he
received pay but from one. It can hardly be charged that he
neglected his work for barbering, but nearly everybody about Wann is
agreed that Gratton is a very forgetful man to say the least.
FUNERALS OF WANN VICTIMS
Alton Telegraph, Thursday, January 26, 1893
The funeral of Matthias Manze [Manns] took place this morning at the
City Cemetery. The funeral services of John Wilkinson occurred this
afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Cathedral Burial in the City
Cemetery. The funeral of William Richardson, one of the oil
explosion victims, who died in the hospital this morning, will take
place from the family residence 1318 East Second street, tomorrow at
2 p.m. Interment at City Cemetery. Mr. Richardson was 26 years of
age, September 23d last. The funeral services of Henry Wiegand,
another of the victims of the explosion, will be held on Wednesday
at 1 p.m. in the unfinished meeting house of the Baptist church at
Wann. Mr. Wiegand was a deacon of this church and treasurer of
building committee. The burial will be in Upper Alton at 3 p.m., and
the funeral will be in charge of Madison 110 A.O.U.W. of Upper
Alton. Members of neighboring lodges are invited to attend. The
funeral of Webb Ross, the veteran engineer who was burned to death
in the wreck of the Big Four limited at Alton Junction Saturday
morning, took place in Mattoon, Illinois yesterday from the
Methodist church. Mr. Ross was 62 years old, second oldest engineer
on the Big Four road and an active member of the Methodist church.
Nothing but words of praise can be said of him by all who knew him.
Hale and hearty he was one of the most trusted engineers of the
road. The church was crowded with friends from far and near and the
occasion was a sad one. Members of the Brotherhood of Engineers
acted as pallbearers among, then, being Patrick Vaughn, the oldest
engineer on the road. The people turned out in one accord and fairly
enveloped the casket of their fellow citizen with flowers. An
enormous funeral procession followed the remains to the cemetery.
Among the number was Mr. George W. Cutter of this city [Alton], one
of the oldest engineers on the C. & A. [Railroad].
TWO MORE DIE - HERMANN AND HAGERMAN
Alton Daily Telegraph, Friday, January 27, 1893
Still the sad news continues to come, and since last evening two
more souls have winged their flight into eternity. Joseph Hermann
Jr. died this morning at an early hour, and Otto Hagerman breathed
his last at 12:30 o'clock, noon. The boys were yesterday changed
from the ward in which they had been with other patients, and were
placed in a ward by themselves, in order that their terrible
sufferings might not interfere with the comfort of other patients.
But the little fellows had not long to wait, after the change, for
the grim messenger, and young Hagerman was only six hours behind his
little friend in passing over the dark river. The boys were aged
respectively 12 and 14 years. The funeral of Joseph Hermann Jr. will
take place Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the residence of
his parents on Piasa street. The arrangements and notice of the
funeral of Otto Hagerman, the other victim, will be given tomorrow.
The other sufferers are resting as well as can be expected, and are
being kindly and carefully attended by the physicians and nurses.
Coroner Kinder held an inquest this afternoon at St. Joseph's
Hospital over the remains of Joseph Hermann Jr., and Otto Hagerman,
who died there today.
ANOTHER BURNED
Alton Daily Telegraph, Friday, January 27, 1893
Dr. T. P. Yerkes of Upper Alton reports that a man by the name of
Green, of American Bottoms, was badly burned in the terrible
holocaust of last Saturday. Mr. Green is quite badly burned about
the hands, face and ears. Dr. Yerkes has attended fifteen different
persons who have not been in the hospital. It is reported that a man
who lives in Fosterburg, and was burned at Wann last Saturday, died
today. There were only two men burned who lived in Fosterburg. One
was Mr. T. C. Dillon, not seriously, and John Burke, very severely.
CONDITION OF VICTIMS
Alton Telegraph, Thursday, January 26, 1893
The condition of the victims of the oil explosion has not changed
materially since yesterday. No deaths have been reported since
yesterday morning, although a number at St. Joseph's Hospital, two
at Alton Junction and one at Upper Alton are in a very serious
condition. Mortification is setting in, in several of the worst
cases, and their lives are despaired of. A number inhaled the fire
and have their lungs affected. In the worst cases the victims do not
seem to suffer nearly as intense pain as those injuries are not
severe. This is caused by the deadened condition of the nervous
system in those whose burns are dangerous. Seventeen patients are
now at the hospital. The attending physicians have a watch of six
hours each. Drs. Fisher and Fiegenbaum have day watches and Haskell
and Guelich night watches. The bandages had to be removed today from
the victims at St. Joseph's hospital for the first time since they
were placed there on Saturday last. The extent of their injuries
will be more fully understood by the physicians when their wounds
are dressed. The entire force of physicians have been at work. A
number of the patients are much improved and others did not stand
the ordeal well.
MORE WANN VICTIMS
The Daily Review, Decatur, Illinois, February 01, 1893
Alton, Ills., January 31. -- The death Monday of Bernard Nienhaus at
Alton Junction makes the death list from the Alton Junction oil
explosion up to twenty-nine. The reports of the various physicians
show that most of the injured ones are in a terrible condition.
Charles Herriman, a little boy, is perhaps the worst of any. It is
reported that the flesh is dropping from his body in certain places.
The little fellow is bearing his misfortunes manfully, but there is
but one chance in a thousand of his recovery. Thomas Philbrook will
hardly survive. John Henry Jr., is in terrible plight, and his death
is expected. All the men in the hospital are in a critical
condition, and but few of them can survive. Before the death-roll is
closed, the first estimate of thirty-five will undoubtedly be
passed.
EAST ALTON NEWS
Following the Wann Disaster
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 02, 1893
Victims of the explosion are still dying or living in great agony.
It will be years before the shadow of the explosive horror will be
lifted from the homes and hearts of the people in East Alton. There
are two dangerous crossings here, and the railroads, the Big Four,
the Bluff Line, and the C. B. & Q., ought to be compelled to have a
watchman at each one of them. At the crossing in the west end of the
yard’s, lives and property have been sacrified again and again, and
history will repeat itself unless proper precautions are taken.
Lives should not be jeopardized just to make the running expenses of
the railroads a little lighter. There is another bad place where the
wagons cross the Big Four near Milton bridge. Formerly a watchman
was stationed, but he was removed. If there is no law requiring
railroads to have flagmen at dangerous crossings, there should be
one placed on the statute books at once, and it should be enforced
rigidly. The railroads have altogether too many privileges anyway.
Among the injured in East Alton Thomas Philbrick is in the worst
condition. It is difficult to understand how he can live, and it is
wonderful how he has lived this long. His lips have fallen off, and
his sufferings must be intense. Will McIntosh is doing nicely, as is
also Frank Miller. Pat O’Meara is getting along as well as could be
expected, and Postmaster Mullane, although still confined to his
bed, is on the high road to recovery. Johnny Mullane, who was very
badly burned, is still in a dangerous condition, although the doctor
says he will recover. Charley Hermann Jr. is getting along very
well, and will get over it, it is believed. John Henry Jr. is making
a brave fight, but it is a desperate enemy he is coping with, and
the result is in doubt.
MOURNING IN ALTON JUNCTION
(Wann Disaster)
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 02, 1893
The Junction is in mourning because of last Saturday’s awful
catastrophe. The emblem of death and woe flutter from many houses,
where only a few days ago were peace and happiness. Other homes are
waiting, praying, hoping that the cruel invader will not enter
there, but they are hoping almost against hope. The poor, blackened,
burned victims who still live are bearing up heroically,
notwithstanding their sufferings must be something awful, and death
in some instances a positive relief and blessing. John Henry Jr.,
although terribly burned, will recover, the doctor says. Johnnie
Mullane, burned almost to death while trying to do good to others,
is still alive, cheerful and hopeful, and it is thought he, too,
will recover. It is impossible to recognize one’s best friend by his
looks. Their poor eyes can give back no answering look of
recognition; their blackened features have in them nothing familiar
– it is awful, awful.
The man responsible for all this woe, the switchman who left open
the switch, is here yet. It is said he is crazy. I don’t know
whether he is or not, but 99 men out of every 100 would be crazy if
such consequences were to visit their acts of carelessness.
At the time of the accident, when burning, dying men were running
hither and thither for help, and afterwards when they fell helpless,
there were people like the Henry Bros., who turned over their store
to the sufferers. Bandages, oils, everything, anything that would
alleviate suffering was given “without money and without price.” May
God bless them for their actions there, and he will do so. Of course
there were others who helped the sufferers, scores of willing
workers, but the brothers just mentioned helped on the wholesale
plan, and the good they did will never be fully known. Those whose
loved ones were so suddenly snatched from them are receiving the
sympathy of everyone here and elsewhere, but sympathy, while
soothing, does not heal the bruised hearts, and their anguish is
appalling. “God doeth all things well,” it is said, and in that is
the only consolation – the only grain of comfort. May He also bring
peace, or at least a little surcease of sorrow to those left behind.
ANOTHER DEAD
Alton Evening Telegraph, Saturday, February 4, 1893
Henry Pilgrim, another of the victims of the Wann disaster, died
this afternoon at 2:15 o'clock, at the hospital. Mr. Pilgrim
suffered intensely most of the time, and death came as a relief to
the poor maimed and scarred body. The funeral will take place
tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family residence, 814 East
Third Street.
INVESTIGATION OF THE WANN DISASTER
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 9, 1893
The House committee consisting of Messrs. Fowler, Chairman; Snyder,
McMillan, Baldwin, Fletcher, Coughlin, and Snedeker, who are to make
a thorough investigation of the disaster at Wann, arrived in the
city Monday morning. After dinner, they went by special train to
Wann, where they looked over the scene of the wreck. The took
measurements of the ground, the distance between switches, and much
data that will be useful in making up a report.
After their examination, the committee returned to Springfield. In
conversation with members of the committee, it was found that there
was practical agreement that the committee will introduce bills into
the legislature to regulate the employment of men, and to examine
men employed. They will also provide for side tracks to be
exclusively used for oil cars, and to be removed at a safe distance
from other tracks, and not have any direct connection to the main
tracks.
WANN DISASTER
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 16, 1893
Switchman Gatton’s brother is authority for the statement that the
Wann wreck is not the first or second time the switchman has, by his
carelessness, caused trouble and disaster. It is said the Chicago &
Alton suffered by his negligence a few years ago, somewhere in
Macoupin County, and while it was nothing like the one here, that
wreck only showed what he could do with fair opportunities given
him. It is said this is a part of the evidence given to the
legislative investigators – that at least one of Gatton’s superiors
knew of his incompetency, and offered to get the day before the
wreck that Gatton didn’t have sense enough to county correctly the
number of cars in the sandpit. The cars were counted before Gatton
was sent down to the pit, and when he returned the result proved
that he had been sized up correctly, as he did not have the right
number of cars by four. Considering the quality of evidence
accumulating as the days go by, it is difficult to understand how
the Big Four Railroad hopes to escape responsibility, particularly
if there is anything in the statement that the principal is
responsible for the acts of its subordinates.
(From the Alton Telegraph, Feb. 23, 1893) Lewis Gratton, a brakeman
on the C. B. & Q. Railroad, was thrown from the pilot of the engine
while making a fly switch at Greenfield, Illinois, Wednesday, and
had his left leg ground to a pulp. He stated that he was a brother
to Gatton responsible for the Wann disaster. His leg had to be
amputated.
WANN DIASTER DUE TO INCOMPETENCE
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 23, 1893
From Springfield, Illinois, Feb. 21 – In the House this morning,
Chairman Fowler reported as follows:
“There was no element of accident in the killing of twenty-eight
persons and maiming thirty-two others, but the inevitable result of
mismanagement of the Big Four Railroad by its officers, showing an
absolute disregard of the sanctity of human life, and no reasonable
precaution for the protection of property. At the time of the fatal
collision, the switches were in charge of A. E. Gatten, a barber,
who had been employed in the yards only twenty-four days, and no
evidence shows that he ever had any railroad experience; and one
John Ray, a farm laborer, who had been in the employ of the railroad
only eighteen days in his lifetime, and that the keys to the main
track switch No. 2 were put into the hands of Gatten by James Lyons,
a man that had been in the employ of said railroad only twenty-four
days, and that witnesses working in the yard at the time had to
inquire each other’s names while testifying.
The proof also shows that for the last two years, the railroad has
failed to keep any crews in said yard long enough for them to become
competent to manage said yard properly, but changed its men so often
that the crews were always composed of more green and incompetent
men than anybody else, and many of them without sufficient mental
ability to ever become competent; and that the management of the
said yards made no reasonable effort to keep competent men, but
showed a decided preference for green men, until the yard had become
a kind of ‘kindergarten’ for them, and they were put in charge of
important places upon their second day of railroading, to the danger
of all trains running through said yard.”
Accompanying the report was a bill extending the liability of
railroad companies so as to make them liable for injury to their
employees.
EMPLOYEES SETTLE WITH COMPANY
Alton Telegraph, March 02, 1893
Some of the Big Four employees who were injured by the explosion
have settled with the company and claim that the latter acted very
handsomely with them. Some of those who suffered because of the
explosion intend bringing suit against the company owning the oil as
well as the railroad company. A gentleman tells me that there was a
rousing meeting held at the Opera House in Jacksonville last Sunday
at which considerable money was subscribed for the benefit of the
widows and orphans caused by the Wann explosion. Committees were
appointed for further solicitations, and he said the prospect was
bright for the securing of a large sum from the philanthropic
citizens of Jacksonville, alone. It is certain that aid is needed
and will be appreciated by those left behind by the wreck.
WANN DISASTER COMMITTEE SUBMITS THREE BILLS
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 02, 1893
From Springfield, February 24 – The committee appointed to
investigate the Wann Disaster made its final report to the House
today, and returned three bills. The first is to regulate the
employment of railroad brakemen, switchmen, yardmasters, conductors,
signalmen, firemen, engineers. It provides that all such shall pass
a satisfactory examination in the rudimentary branches, and also a
physical examination, including sight and hearing. They are required
to show their familiarity with the code of signals, and must be more
than 15 and under 50 years old. The penalty is from $50 to $500 for
the first offense, and may be as high as $5,000.
The second bill is to regulate the transportation of coal oil and
other products of petroleum, and to provide special switches and
side tracks for handling the same. It also provides that no more
than three cars loaded with these oils shall be hauled upon any
railroad in this State coupled with cars loaded with other freight,
and that notification shall be sent ahead to stations which such
trains are expected to pass through.
The other bill is for an act to regulate the speed of railway trains
and locomotives through switch limits and parallels of side tracks.
The limit of speed is twelve miles per hour, and the bill holds the
company liable for all damage caused by running at a higher rate of
speed.
WANN VICTIM SUES BIG FOUR FOR $25,000
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 5, 1893
Mr. J. J. Henry of East Alton, who was frightfully burned by the
Wann oil explosion last January while trying to save railroad
property, has through his attorneys, Judge Irwin and W. P. Early,
Esq., of Edwardsville, commenced suit against the Big Four Railroad
for $25,000 for personal injuries sustained at that time. John Henry
was a young man of splendid physique before the explosion, and after
months of suffering during which death seemed momentarily about to
claim him, he recovered sufficiently to be around, but maimed and
disfigured and only a shadow of his former self. One of two other
parties at East Alton will also enter suits for large sums in a
short time against the railroad.
UNJUST LAW CONCERNING WANN VICTIMS
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 12, 1893
Mr. Charles Harris of East Alton lost a son in the Wann oil
explosion, and the law in this State allows but $5,000 for a human
life. Those people who were not killed can recover $25,000 if the
jury says so, but those whose chief support was taken away forever
cannot possibly recover more than $5,000. It is an unjust law, and
should be removed from the statute books.
WANN DISASTER VICTIMS TO RECEIVE SURGERY
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 16, 1893
Messrs. John Henry and John Mullane of East Alton, two surviving
victims of the Wann oil explosion, left this morning for
Indianapolis, where they hope to receive such surgical attention as
will in a measure, at least hide or remedy the awful scars and
distortions caused by the burning oil.
JOHN P. MULLANE ASKS FOR DAMAGES FROM THE BIG FOUR RAILROAD
Alton Telegraph, November 23, 1893
The following dispatch from East St. Louis explains itself: A suit
for $25,000 damages for personal injuries was commenced in the City
Court yesterday by John P. Mullane against the Big Four Railway.
Mullane was a very badly used up man, and besides being permanently
injured in both legs and arms, he has lost his hearing and the sight
of one eye. His face is a mass of scars, and on account of an injury
to his jaw he eats with much difficulty. Mullane was one of the
victims of the fearful Wann wreck. When the oil tanks exploded, he
was enveloped in the flames of burning oil. His body was found by
friends that night about a mile from Wann, and he was taken to a
hospital for treatment, and knew nothing of the occurrence for
several months, as he lingered between life and death. The plea of
the company will no doubt be as in other cases, that all who stood
and watched the wreck and were then burned by the explosion were
trespassing on the company's grounds. The plaintiff relies upon the
fact that the wagon road and path along the tracks have been used
for the past thirty years as a public highway, and although the
company owned the land, it acquiesced in such public use.
LIST OF THE DEAD
Burke, John, of Fosterburg. Found the next day.
Cornelius, Hiram A., of Wellman, Iowa. Killed instantly. Student at
Shurtleff College.
Edwards, William, of Alton Junction. Died at Alton Junction.
Hagermann, Otto, of Alton. Died January 27; age 14; buried at Alton.
Haller, Charles or George, of Edwardsville Rd. near Wanda; died at
home.
Harris, Daniel, of Alton Junction.
Herrman, Joseph Jr., of Alton. Died January 27; age 12; buried at
Alton.
Houlihan, Tomothy or Thomas, of East St. Louis. Died at home;
sectionman on RR
Jennings, Henry, of Alton Junction. Died at Wann.
Locke, John. Died at hospital;. Glassblower in Alton.
Mange, William, of Alton. Found dead ½ mile from Wann.
Manns, Mathias or Matthew, of Upper Alton. Found dead.
Maupin, Charles, of St. Charles, Missouri. Died at hospital.
McCarthy, William or Willie, of Alton. Died at hospital; age 13.
McIntosh, Louis, of Alton Junction. Died at home.
Miller, Edward, of Alton Junction. Died at home.
Miller, William, of Alton Junction. Died at home. Father of Edward.
Morris, Miss, enroute from St. Louis. Found burned in café car.
Murray, James N., of Upper Alton. Died at hospital.
Nieuhaus, Bernard or Barney, of Alton Junction.
Penning, Henry, of American Bottoms.
Philbrook, Thomas, of North Alton.
Pilgrim, Henry, of Alton. Died February 4.
Pinney, Henry, of Alton Junction.
Richardson, William B., of Alton. Died at hospital. 26 yrs old.
Roloff, George, of Upper Alton. Buried at Upper Alton; father (John)
died soon after due to grief.
Ross, Webb (Engineer), of Mattoon. Burned in first explosion.
Rucker, George, of Alton Junction. Buried at Alton Junction.
Shattock/Shattuck, William, of Upper Alton. Died at hospital.
Utt, Charles, of Alton. Killed instantly. 8 yrs old.
Wiegand, Henry, of Alton Junction. 35 yrs old. Buried at Upper
Alton.
Wiggins, Henry, of Alton Junction. Died at home.
Wilkinson, John, of Alton. Died at hospital. 12 yrs old son of James
E.; buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
LIST OF THE INJURED
Bartel/Barton, Frank, of Stanford, Canada; glassblower.
Barr, John, of Alton Junction. Badly burned.
Berg, John, of Alton. Slightly burned.
Caldwell, Evan M., of Alton. Seriously burned about face, neck and
hands.
Chessen, James, of Alton. Slightly burned.
Crowe, Charles. Slight injuries.
Deneaue/Deneane, Louis, of Montreal, Canada. Glassblower.
Dillon, T. C., of Fosterburg. Not serious.
Drucker, George, of the American Bottoms. Hands and face burned.
Estke, Herman, of Alton. Will likely die.
Faeger, William, of Upper Alton. Dangerous condition.
Fietz/Fretz, John, of Edwardsville Crossing. Fatally injured.
Findley, John, of Alton.
Findley, Patrick, of Alton. Glassblower, serious condition.
Fitzpatrick, John, of East St. Louis. Injuries slight.
Frazier, A. P. or E. Tramp, fatally injured.
Freemann, W. F., of alton. Badly burned.
Fretz, Andrew, of Edwardsville Crossing. Slightly burned.
Glassner, John, of Alton. Boy, badly burned.
Gratton, A. L., of Alton Junction. Switchman responsible for open
switch; severely burned head.
Green, Unknown, of the American Bottoms. Burned about the hands,
face, and ears.
Hamilton, Charles, of Alton Junction.
Hammond, Charles, of the American Bottoms. Injuries slight.
Harris, Charles, of Alton Junction. Injured very seriously.
Harris, Dalton, of Alton Junction.
Harris, Joseph Jr., of Alton Junction.
Harrison, W. Charles, of Alton. Badly burned, but not serious.
Henry, John Jr., of Alton Junction. Intestines slightly burned,
can’t walk.
Hermann, Charles Jr., of Alton Junction. Fatally injured.
Herriman, Charles. Young boy.
James, Frank, of Alton Junction. Seriously burned.
Job, Zephaniah B., of Alton.
Joeger, William, of Upper Alton. Dangerous condition.
Luttrell, John, of Alton. Railroad man, fatally injured.
McIntosh, William, of Alton Junction. Brother of Louis, badly
burned.
McMillan, A., of East St. Louis. Badly burned.
McPike, John H., of Alton. Hand burned.
Menhaus, B., of Alton.
Miller, Frank of Alton Junction. Face and hands burned.
Miller, Julius, of Alton Junction. Face and hands badly burned.
Monaghan, John. Part of wrecking crew, slight injuries.
Montgomery, J. W., of Atlanta, Illinois. Student at Shurtleff
College, badly burned.
Mullane, John P., of Alton Junction. Seriously burned, lost hearing
and sight in one eye.
Nuske, Herman, of Alton.
O’Mara, Pat, of Alton. Railroad laborer, hands burned.
Philbrick/Philbrook, John, of Alton Junction. Both eyes burned out,
will die.
Philbrook, Thomas, of Alton Junction. Brother of Mrs. E. S. Pullen.
Philfert, John.
Richardson, David, of Alton. Fatally injured.
Richardson, Ephraim, of Alton.
Richardson, William B., of Alton. Brother of David, fatally injured.
Schaeffer, William, of Upper Alton. Seriously burned.
Scullen, Frank, of Alton. Face and hands horribly disfigured.
Committed suicide on Feb. 28, 1910.
Seister, John, of Alton.
Staples, George, of Evanston, Indiana. Young boy, frightfully
burned.
Staples, Henry, of Uniontown, Kentucky.
Steele or Stetle, John, of Alton Junction. Head burned.
Still, Frank, of Alton. Badly burned.
Sullivan, Timothy, of East St. Louis. Fatally burned.
Valentine, Hamilton, of the American Bottoms. May recover, but
critical.
Webster, James, of Alton. Struck in head with piece of iron, badly
burned.
Weigand, Henry, of Alton Junction. Fatally injured. Died later.
Injured when helping others. Memorial bell has his name on it.
Willen, Mrs. A. L. & child, of Kansas City.
Williams, Thomas, of Upper Alton. Dangerously burned.
Valentine or Ballentyne, William, of Alton Junction. Badly burned.
Ziegler, John, of Alton.
THE INVESTIGATION
Alton Telegraph, February 02, 1893
A telegram from Springfield announces that the House committee
appointed to investigate the Wann casualty met yesterday morning to
decide upon the method of making the investigation. The resolution
under which the committee was appointed provides that no expense
shall be incurred other than that approved by the Speaker, and Mr.
Crafts' advice regarding the method of procedure was asked. The
Speaker rather discouraged the investigation, saying that he
understood it to be the duty of the Railroad and Warehouse
Commission to make the investigation. The members of the committee,
however, seemed to think that, having been instructed by the House
to make the investigation, they could exercise no discretion in the
matter and would have to investigate. Doorkeeper Browne reported
that he had been furnished a list of witnesses who were to testify
against the railroad company. The majority of them are railroad men
from Alton, and they are expected to testify that it is the practice
of the "Big Four" to employ incompetent men. Six of them, it is
said, will swear that they left the employ of the company because of
the incompetency of their co-employees, and one witness announces
that he will testify that the "Big Four" will not keep a good
workman. The labor unions are taking an active interest in the
proposed investigation, and the committee has received word from
some of them suggesting the names of witnesses whom they desire to
have examined. Owing to the committee meeting in Chicago, and the
party question which will come under consideration in the House, the
committee will not be able to begin the inquiry for two or three
weeks.
The Coroner's Juries
In the first of the inquests held over the victims of the oil
explosion at Wann, the juries did not attach blame to the railroad
officials. The last three or four juries, however, have rendered
verdicts laying the blame for the disaster at the door of the
company. The principle of the juries' reasoning is about this: An
incompetent, or negligent, employee of the Big Four road failed to
close the switch at Wann; this failure resulted in permitting a
passenger train to collide with an oil train; thus wrecking of both
trains causing the death of the engineer; the collision set fire to
the oil in the tanks; this fire, later on, caused an explosion which
brought about the death of the persons over whom the inquests were
held, therefore the railroad company is responsible.
Just how far the juries are legally correct in their reasoning is
not for the Telegraph to say. Just how much weight may be given to
the verdicts is also a matter that each one will decide for himself.
There is not doubt but that the officials of the Big Four road fear
serious litigation in the matter, and the fact that their attorneys
are looking closely into the matter is evidence that it will contest
the legality of any claim for damages because of the oil explosion.
The general understanding of the position of the road is that the
burned people were at the scene of the disaster merely as
spectators; and that when they remained there they took the risk of
danger upon themselves. On the other hand, those who hold to the
theory that the road is responsible, claim that it is a law of human
nature to be interested in such matters; that is only reasonable to
expect that people in the vicinity of a wreck would go to the
scenes; and that because the officials, knowing the inflammable
character of the material in the tanks, did not warn the spectators,
the company therefore is responsible for the suffering and loss of
life. It is contended further on this line, that as the employees of
the company were permitted to work in an attempt to clear the wreck,
spectators were led to believe there was no danger. On the other
hand, the company will be sustained by a number of witnesses who
will swear that they believed the burning oil to be dangerous and
left the scene of disaster simply because they feared to remain; and
that all others should have exercised similar precaution.
Alton Weekly Telegraph, Thursday, February 9, 1893
The House committee consisting of Messrs. Fowler, Chairman; Snyder,
McMillan, Baldwin, Fletcher, Coughlin, and Snedeker, who are to make
a thorough investigation of the disaster at Wann and report, arrived
in the city Monday morning. After dinner they went by special train
to Wann where they looked over the scene of the wreck. The committee
took measurements of the ground the distance between switches, and
much data that will be useful to them in making up a report.
The Committee in Session at Hotel Madison
Chairman Robert Fowler and Messrs. J. T. McMillan, O. A. Snedeker,
L. S. Baldwin, J. P. Fletcher, G. S. Coughlin and W. H. Snyder Jr.,
the House committee, and E. S. Browne, the Doorkeeper of the House,
were busily engaged Tuesday in taking testimony in the Wann
investigation. Mr. Browne was engaged Monday in subpoenaing
witnesses, and some forty-five or fifty have been summoned.
Constable Sam Hayes has been assisting him in this duty.
Besides the committee, J. S. Dye, of Cincinnati, C. R. Meyer of
Indianapolis, and G. F. McNulty of Alton, attorneys for the road,
were present at the examination of witnesses. The gentlemen took
copious notes of testimony. The following is the testimony:
A. D. White was the first witness examined. Mr. White testified that
he was fireman on train No. 18, which was bound for Mattoon, on the
day of the explosion at Wann. That he was coming in from St. Louis
and that he was on the engine that collided with oil tanks at Wann.
We were nearly three hundred feet away from the switch before I
noticed that the switch was open. I got off while engineer Ross put
on the brakes. We were going about thirty-five miles an hour. I have
not made statements that we were going forty miles per hour. There
were about fifteen oil tanks on the track. I do not know what kind
of oil was in the tanks. I heard Yardmaster Miller say to bystanders
in my presence the kind of oil that was in the tanks. The engine was
badly burned and the cafe car. I judge that the train was going
about fifteen miles per hour when it struck the car. I stayed in the
vicinity until they found Engineer Ross' body, then I went to the
depot about a quarter of a mile away. The track is nearly straight
for about a quarter to a half mile before the switch is reached. The
cause of the wreck was the leaving open of a switch on main track
and also on side track No. 2. Ross' body was burned beyond
recognition. The wood work on some of the cars that had oil on was
burning when I left there. There was danger of the oil exploding. I
went away with the body of Engineer Ross. The round house foreman,
Mr. Barnes, of East St. Louis, said that the oil was evidently
lubricating oil and was dangerous and that we had better not go back
there. I do not know of anyway that the explosion could have been
prevented. The switchmen from Alton went there and pulled away what
cars they could with safety. We were about fifteen minutes late. It
was nearly three hours after we arrived when the explosion occurred.
When I left there were about one hundred people there. Mr. Miller
said he had charge of the Alton yard and the Wann yard. I do not
know who had charge of the switch. The switch engine pulled out the
oil tanks first and then the box cars. The counsel for the Big Four
asked the witness if he could locate the place his engine was when
he first noticed the switch was open. Witness pointed out location
on profile. Ross must have seen it when about one thousand feet
away. I can not state how far it would take to stop a train with all
the appliances for stopping in use. I think that a train could be
stopped in one thousand feet. Counselor J. F. Dye asked if he could
ask witness some questions in regard to the Big Four discriminating
against organized labor. Which were asked. Mr. Fowler here stated
that questions of that kind would not be permissible and until they
should go into that matter, no questions would be allowed by the
company's attorneys.
Robert Curdie being sworn said that his residence was Alton, that he
was acquainted with the yard at Wann. He described the yard as he
was acquainted with it. I think that the explosion occurred about
twenty minutes before twelve. There were about seven tanks there
when I arrived. Four or five tanks were burned out when I got there.
There were about 300 people there when I got there. The majority of
the people were on the bank on the west side of the track. I went to
the cafe car to see the corpse that was reported as being there.
There was no especial warning of any danger from the burning tanks.
I was there about thirty minutes. I do not know the character of the
oil that exploded.
Dr. T. P. Yerkes, after being sworn, was examined. I have met a
number of the burned victims. I was at Wann when the explosion
occurred. I think the oil was coal oil. I think there were about
sixty people burned either slightly or fatally. I think the flames
reached about fifty or sixty feet in the air. There were two small
houses burned on the west side of the track. I heard no warning
given.
Joseph Dailey testified that he was a railroad man; that he had been
a brakeman, yardman and conductor; that he had served four years as
a yardmaster at different points. I am acquainted with the yard at
Wann. The yard requires an experienced man. I don't think a man
could work two places and give satisfaction in both, and don't think
a man should be yardmaster at two places like Wann and Alton at the
same time. It would not be safe to put a man in charge of a yard who
had only been in it four or five weeks. Witness knew nothing about
Gatton. Knew Ray. Never knew of his ever railroading before going on
the Big Four. Do not think Ray was a competent yardman. The Big Four
made a good many changes while I was at Wann. I employed a number
and they were nearly all green men. The labor organizations
generally regard these men as incompetent men. Mr. Neinhaus, Mr.
Toohey and Mr. Luedeker were among the green men employed there.
They are men who have been started there as green men, and numerous
others that I cannot name. The yard at Wann requires an experienced
man. The yardmaster who has been there has always shown a preference
for inexperienced men. The wages paid these green men was not what
it ought to have been. We asked for more money and they would not
give it. Men have received orders to take out trains when they did
not know what their rights were after the orders had been received.
I got $65 per month for my work on the Big Four and I now get $85 on
the Bluff Line. Committee adjourned to 1 o'clock.
At one o'clock the committee was called to order and Mr. James
Derwin was
the first witness. He stated that he has been in railway employ
since 1879. Last employed by the Chicago & Alton R. R. Acquainted
with Wann yard. I would not say that the yard was hazardous nor
would I say that it was safe. It would take a skilled man to take
care of the yard. It would be risky for one man to be yardmaster at
both Alton and Wann, unless he had men working for him that he could
trust. I think no train should go into a yard at a rate of 30 or 35
miles an hour. If a train was under control when an engineer was
coming into a yard it would not be so dangerous. When a train is
under control it should be running from ten to twelve miles per
hour. I worked for the Big Four about four years ago. This yard
requires skilled men. A raw man only working a month would not be
competent to take charge of switches. A man should work six months
anyhow to be competent to take charge of switches. The Big Four are
in the habit of employing green men in preference to skilled men.
The company could not make as many changes as it has been doing and
get competent men. They have been in the habit of employing men who
do not belong to union labor organizations. A man must be engaged in
one place before he can join union labor organizations. I mean by
this the brakeman and switchman's organization. One of the objects
of these organizations is to get competent men. In reply to a
question from Counselor J. F. Dye, witness said. Mr. Spellman had
charge of the Alton yards under Mr. Miller's instructions. He is a
Union man. I left the C. & A. about two months ago. I have been
brakeman, conductor and switchman since 1879. Witness stated that he
spoke from what he had seen and heard. Mr. Dye attempted to find out
where the witness got his information from. Ruled out. From Chairman
Fowler: "Do you know of the Big Four employing green men from the
start?" "Yes." "Do you know this of your own personal knowledge?"
"Yes." "Do you know of any other men who have been employed by the
Big Four other than Mr. Neinhaus and Mr. Toohey?" "Yes sir. Mr. Jim
Kirwin who is now working for them." From Mr. Dyer: "Is Mr. Kirwin
competent to work under a foreman?" "Yes sir." From Mr. Fowler:
"What wages were they paying?" "About $55 when I was working for
them." "Is that sufficient?" "No sir." From Mr. Caughlin: "Is the
company in the habit of changing men oftener than other roads?" "Yes
sir." In answer to a question from Mr. Dye, the witness said that he
did not know what wages were now paid on the Big Four, but was
talking about wages of men when he was employed by them some three
years ago.
H. Nienhaus testified that the Big Four had employed incompetent
men. Ray and Bennett being among the number. John Ray was
incompetent because he had never been in the employ of a railroad
company until he was employed at Wann. I do not know Gatton. I do
not know whether he was working at Wann at the time of the wreck or
not. It seems that the Big Four has been employing incompetent men.
Ludeker had worked in a grocery store. O'Haver and Ferris were also
employed; none of these were competent men. The road has been in the
habit of making frequent changes. They hire both union and
non-union; the union organizations try to get competent men into its
organizations. A train should only run from 12 to 15 miles per hour.
It would be dangerous to come in there at a rate of 30 or 35 per
hour. An engineer could have stopped if he had been going at a rate
of 12 or 15 miles per hour. I was night yardmaster when I worked for
the company, I got $80 per month. I never had any experience before
I went to work for the Big Four. I worked about 7 months before I
took charge of the yard. I worked in a planing mill before I went to
railroading. I was given charge of the yard before I was competent.
In reply to questions from Counselor J. F. Dye: I gave signals the
first day I was there and was not competent. I was there six or
seven months before I was given charge of the yard. I coupled cars
in the interval.
E. J. Tierney stated that he had worked for the Big Four one year
and eight months. Had been a brakeman for ten years. It takes a man
who has worked at the business about a week to learn a new yard. It
depends upon the kind of men employed whether they can become
competent in six months if they were green when they began. I do not
know Ray, and am not sure whether I know Gatton or not. While I
worked there, I worked with a good many green men. I worked with men
there who didn't know a link from a pin. I can't give many names;
Ludeker was one and "Farmer John," another. They were given
positions handling switches. A green man is likely to get "rattled"
and make a mistake. The Wann yard requires one man to exclusively
attend to that yard. A man cannot do two men's work at different
places and do it well. I quit because I had two men's work to do and
was not getting but $55 per month to do it. A good switchman ought
to get $2.70 per day, that is what I think the schedule is. Mr.
Baldwan asked if competent men could always be secured and witness
testified that they could if wages sufficient were paid.
The Big Four have their General Counselor and his assistants, C. R.
Myers of Cincinnati and G. F. McNully. Beside these are General
Manager Joseph Ramsey of Cincinnati and Superintendent A. G. Wells,
of Indianapolis, who are carefully looking after their own
interests. Occasionally a little parliamentary fight occurs between
Attorney Dye and Chairman Fowler, the latter, however, always
insists on doing the work exactly as he pleases and accepting or
refusing any evidence that he or the committee do not want. Mr. Dye
at the same time entering his protests.
Daniel Tochey said that he began railroading about twenty months ago
on the Big Four at Wann. I knew Gatton. Last December he was a
barber. I do not know of him ever being a railroad man prior to his
work for the Big Four. It would not have been safe for him to have
been left in charge of that yard in so short a time as he was there.
It would take an experienced man from six weeks to two months to be
competent to take charge of a yard. It would take a green man six
months. The Big Four have been accustomed to employing green men. In
reply to questions from General Counselor Dye, witness stated that
he did not know whether Gatton had been in railway employ before
going on the Big Four or not. I am a union man. Did not quit in
December 2, quit in August, was taken sick.
James H. Maupin, Jr., testified that he was a real estate man and
that he was at Wann the day of the wreck. Got there about 11
o'clock. Six or seven of the oil tanks were on fire when I got
there. I thought that the oil burned like gasoline. I do not think
coal oil would generate gas like this did when burning. I did not
leave there thinking that there was any danger.
James Webster, of Alton, testified that he was present at the time
of the explosion, but heard no warning given to bystanders.
Zephaniah B. Job Sr., of Alton, thought that the blaze only extended
up something like ten feet. He heard no warning given to bystanders.
Silas Cooper, of Alton Junction, was examined and testified that he
knew Gatton. He regarded him as cranky. Said that he had kept a
barber shop previous to working on the "Big Four." He boarded with
the witness at one time. He heard no warning given. It is possible
that had warning been given the people may have left. There ought to
have been a warning given.
Lyman Price, a farmer, was not at the explosion. I was acquainted
with Gatton. Have known him for some time. I understand that he has
made Wann his home off and on for about two years. He was not a very
good barber. He run the barber shop about four weeks. He did not
keep the shop open as far as I know after going to work for the
railroad company. I saw him beastly drunk one time. I know Ray; "was
born and raised with him." He had not been in the railroad business
prior to going on the Big Four.
John Ray being called stated that he was a switchman since the first
of January. I have been switching cars and riding them in the yard
and coupling cars. I did not attend switches; only when called upon
by the yardmaster to do so. Previous to my railroad work I worked in
a saloon and in a grocery store. We haven't had a regular crew.
Lyons was the oldest man and was a kind of foreman. Lyons was
generally there but was not there on the morning of the wreck.
Gatton and I were the only ones there on the day of the wreck; Lyons
was at the other end of the yard. Lyons, Gatton and Miller had keys
to the switch. Mr. Gatton opened the switch to put an oil car on the
side track. Gatton did not take charge of work unless ordered to by
the foreman. I don't think he was working under any orders when the
wreck occurred.
James Chessen, a farmer, was introduced. Witness was at Wann about
half past ten o'clock on the morning of the wreck. He said that some
said the burning tanks were dangerous. The night yardmaster said
that there was danger of the oil exploding. I was south on the main
track when the explosion took place. I was near the engine. There
were about three hundred people there when the explosion occurred. I
should think there were fifty people hurt.
A. Barr, a section hand, was examined and said that he was at Wann
frequently. I see oil cars there nearly every day on tracks No 2,
and also on No. 4. There were about seventy-five people
[unreadable]. I Understand there were seventy people hurt. The oil
must have gone over me for I fell. I did not hear any railroad man
say that it was gasoline. I think one oil tank exploded. I counted
seven tanks that had exploded the next morning. I don't know how
many cars were on the track that day.
Thomas Lyon was the next witness who stated that he was employed in
1892 by the Big Four. Gatton and I went to work the same day. Ray
went to work after I did. Mr. Gatton had the key to the switch, but
did not have key to No. 2 switch, as it has no lock, it is a branch
off from another side track. When questioned by Mr. Dye, witness
stated that he had been railroading since 1873.
Thomas O. Page had been in the employ of the Big Four but was
discharged on account of poor hearing. Thought switch No. 2, at Wann
safe. Said that the oil cars were generally moved away by the first
train. Mr. Page very clearly showed by his evidence that a main line
switch was the dangerous switch. Some of the committee contended
that switch No. 2 (a side track) was the most dangerous, but Mr.
Page forcibly stated that if the main line switch was closed it
would be impossible for a train on that track to collide with a
train on the siding. His evidence gave the officers of the road
great pleasure.
A. D. White, the fireman, was recalled and said that he regarded a
train under control when running at the rate of 8 or 10 miles per
hour. Had been on this run about a month. We were in the habit of
slowing up when going through Wann. Don't know why we were going 30
or 35 miles per hour on morning of the wreck. We did not stop at
Wann except to get passengers when train was flagged. I would judge
that we generally went through there about 12 or 15 miles per hour.
I don't think we intended to stop that morning, we were a little
late.
Adjourned to Wednesday morning.
Wednesday Morning, Session opened at 9 o'clock:
William Bennett, a switchman at Wann. Knew Gatton. Takes a man that
knows his business to switch in the Wann yard. Gatton run barber
shop before going to work on the Big Four.
Engineer Edward Stack has been working at Wann since 1891. Said
Norris was his fireman and that he had been railroading about three
months. Gatton and Ray went with us to the sidetrack to get coal,
but did not help coal the engine. Gatton had worked two weeks with
me. I worked every other week in day time. I never knew him until I
saw him working there. I was there on the morning of the wreck. I
don't know how it happened. Gatton threw the switches and I went
onto track No. 5. I don't know whether Gatton set switch or not.
(Here witness could not remember his fireman's name.) Fireman has
been with me three months. I saw Gatton shut No. 5 switch, don't
know whether he locked it or not. Gatton did not shut No. 2 switch.
William F. Freeman of Alton said that he was at Wann on the day of
the explosion. I expected two men on train, that is why I went down.
He told the scene at the Junction substantially as far as has been
told. He heard no warning given. Knows that Frank Scullin was
working on the track. I was carried by the explosion about 60 feet.
I was not badly hurt, but saw something like a ball of fire. It was
a man, he shouted "kill me, kill me, kill me." I shouted to him. I
then grabbed him and tore his clothes off. While I was doing this he
said, "Oh why did they put me here to be burned up." Scullin is a
construction or section hand. I think it was coal oil; if it had
been gasoline it would have burned with a flash.
Attorney Dye volunteered the information that oil tanks held from
5,000 to 7,000 gallons.
In the session after dinner, Messrs. McMillan and Coughlin of the
Investigating committee, Doorkeeper Brown and Attorney McNulty, with
stenographer, went to St. Joseph's hospital where Charles Hammond,
Frank Scullin, Louis Dennole and Sister Mary Joseph were examined.
The two former have also testified before coroner's jury. Their
statements were in accord with the previously published reports of
the disaster.
James Mullane, the section foreman at Wann, testified that he had
been a section foreman for fourteen years; was burned on right hand,
ears, neck and head. Said that the explosion could have been avoided
with proper precaution. There was no effort to save the burning
train. If the water had been turned on to the train or the gravel
from other cars it would have prevented the explosion.
Testimony introduced by Attorney Dye on behalf of the company:
Joseph Ramsey Jr., testified that he had been General Manager of the
C. C. C. & St. L. since 1891. Have been railroading since 1869 and
since 1872 in the capacities of Superintendent, Chief Engineer and
General Manager. We pay as good wages in our yards as any other
road. We pay as a rule by the hour. In January 1893 we were paying
$2.15 at night and $2.05 per day at Wann. Yard men are not required
to coal engines. One man in a yard always has charge of switches.
The Wann yard is simple. Only has four sidetracks. Gave description
of switches at Wann. We have a yardmaster at Wann and Altons
combined. We consider it one yard. Know nothing personally about
Gatton. The yardmaster is directly in charge of employing men. We
make no test of religion or the fact of belonging to or not
belonging to any order whatsoever in employing men. I have been
personally thanked by the heads of several labor organizations for
our treatment of laborers. The only changes that had been called to
his attention was the one where the whole force quit. The inside
switches are generally left open and not locked; the main line
switches are to be locked all the time. We transport oil in tank
cars and sometimes in box cars. In both ways. The principal oil
coming to Wann, generally comes from the C. B. & Q. The rule was to
inspect cars received from another road and then forward them to
their destination. Oil cars are inspected in the day time to avoid
danger. Tank cars are considered the safest for transporting oil. I
could not suggest any better method.
Representative McMillan asked witness regarding some details in
shipping oil. Have known of other accidents from oil tanks. Knew of
twenty burning on an eastern road, but did not explode. There is
more danger of catching fire to barrels, but not so much danger of
explosion.
We never had complaints from men. We have had frequent conferences
with committee from organizations but have nearly always arrived at
a satisfactory conclusion. Engineers, conductors, firemen and
trainmen all pass an examination. Men are tested as to their
hearing, seeing, etc., and as to their physical soundness.
The Investigating Committee concluded their investigations last
evening and returned to Springfield. In conversation with members of
the committee, it was found that there was practical agreement that
the committee will introduce bills into the legislature to regulate
the employment of men. To examine men employed. Also to provide for
side tracks to be exclusively used for oil cars and to be removed at
a safe distance from other tracks and not having any direct
connection to the main tracks.
WANN VICTIM RETURNS HOME
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 26, 1894
John T. Henry, son of Mr. John Henry of East Alton, who was horribly
burned in the Wann oil explosion, returned Thursday from the
Surgical Institute in Indianapolis. Young Henry’s face was badly
disfigured by the burning oil, and the treatment he received was to
change his personal appearance. Skin grafts were successfully used.
His lips and eyes were operated on, and a plaster cast was placed on
his face. He remained in the institute for nearly six months, and
last night reached home a wonderfully changed person. His appearance
is greatly improved, and he is in good health. In time the old scars
will hardly be noticeable.
ALTON PHYSICIANS WON THEIR SUITS
Wann Coal Oil Explosion Victims
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 12, 1895
The Appellate Court at Springfield on Friday approved the decision
of the Circuit Court of Jersey County, which gave a verdict to the
Alton physicians who sued Madison County in various sums as pay for
their services for attending the victims of the Wann oil explosion.
Some forty or fifty of the persons burned by the oil explosion were
brought to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Alton, and were attended by
Alton physicians, viz: Drs. Fisher, Halliburton, Fiegenbaum, Haskell
and Taphorn. They were unable to pay either the hospital or the
doctors for the service rendered. The physicians presented their
bills to the Board of Supervisors, but that body refused payment.
Suit was brought in the city court of Alton, but a change of venue
was taken to the Jersey Circuit Court, where the cases od Drs.
Halliburton and Haskell were tried, and judgment rendered in their
behalf, which the county appealed to the Appellate Court, and that
body approved the judgment of the court below, which gives Dr.
Halliburton $532.60; Dr. Haskell $617.50; Dr. Fisher $200; Dr.
Fiegenbaum, $200; and Dr. Taphorn $200.
WANN EXPLOSION VICTIM SUICIDES BY CUTTING THROAT
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 1, 1910
Frank Scullen, one of the victims of the Wann Oil explosion of
seventeen years ago, killed himself in the county jail some time
during Monday night. He was a frightful cripple, having been burned
and very badly disfigured on the face, and his hands were so
contorted from the burns that he was able to do very little work.
Added to this an appetite for strong drink, he finally drifted to
the poor house, notwithstanding the fact that at one time he had
enough money to have kept him nicely, had he saved it. Scullen was
employed by the Big Four when the explosion occurred, and was in the
line of duty when injured. His claim was one of the few that was
ever settled by the railroad company, most all the other victims,
except railroad employees, being thrown out of court on the ground
that they were trespassers on railroad property when they were
killed or hurt. Scullen got $3,500, and is said to have spent it in
ten days in riotous living. He had been staying at the poor farm for
some time. Formerly he was given a home at the Ursuline convent, and
at one time was at the hospital, where the kindhearted sisters took
care of him, and he did a little work around the place. Strong drink
was his undoing there. Finally he had to become a county charge. He
had been suffering from hallucinations, and thought that an Alton
man was after him. Yesterday he left the poor farm and was finally
locked up in the county jail. He was searched, but no weapon was
found on him. Charles Trabue, superintendent of the poor farm, says
he believes that in his shoe Scullen had concealed a piece of a case
knife, about 1 1/2 inches long, and with this he cut his throat,
making a thorough job of it. He has a sister at East Alton who did
not know where he was. Scullen is reported to have carried an
insurance policy on his life, and he inquired about this several
days ago to see whether it was still being kept up. It is supposed
he had meditated suicide for several days.