1924 — Feb 2, Interurban traction trains collide and burn, edge of Alfont, IN –20-21

–20-21  Blanchard range.[1]

—      21  Indianarailroads.org. The history of the Interurban Railroads of Hancock County.[2]

—      21  Jackson, Stephen. “Alfont Crash Kills 21 in 1924.” Madison Co. Historical Society.[3]

—      21  Logansport Press, IN. “Blast Rivals Rail Wreck as Worst State Disaster.” 11-2-1963, 5.

—      21  Hensley, Roger P. Railroads of Madison County. “Traction Photo Page.” 2003-2015.

—   <20  Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN. “Provide For Safety. Union Traction Co…” 3-3-1924, p. 2.[4]

—   <20  Washington Democrat, IN. “Asks Changes for Safety of Public.” 3-4-1924, p. 1.[5]

–18-19  Brazil Daily Times. “Motorman and Conductor Held for Manslaughter.” 2-9-1924, 6.

—      18  Daily Republican, Rushville, IN. “Blames Crew for Wreck.” 2-18-1924, p. 1.

–16-18  Daily Republican, Rushville. “Trainmen are Held Over to Grand Jury.” 2-19-1924, p. 1.

—      18  Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 4-15-1924, p. 2.

–16-18  Linton Daily Citizen, IN. “Eastbound Crew is Blamed for Wreck.” 2-19-1924, p. 1.

—    ~19  Blanchard tally based on newspaper reports below – see end of this section.

—      16  ICC. Summary of Accident Investigation Reports No. 19, January-March 1924, p. 16.

—      16  Indianapolis Star. “Continue Search for Lost Family.” 2-25-2014, p. 2.

–15-16  Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Probing into Wreck. Still Uncertain as to…” 2-5-1924, 16.

—      16  Linton Daily Citizen, Linton, IN. “Indictments Returned.” 3-26-1924, p. 1.

—      16  INS. “Traction Company is Held Responsible.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN. 4-11-1924, p1.

—    >15  Indianapolis Star, IN. “State and U.S. End Probe at Anderson.” 2-9-1924, p. 8.

—      12  Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Six of Twelve Killed in Crash…Identified.” 2-4-1924, 3.

 

Narrative Information

 

Hensley: “At Alfont just west of Ingalls, 21 die in the fiery collision of two UTC cars on Feb 2, 1924….” (Hensley, Roger P. Railroads of Madison County. “Traction Photo Page.” 2003-2015.)

 

Hensley: “Alfont wreck. A disastrous wreck occurred on Ground Hog Day, Feb. 2, 1924, just west of the village of Alfont, on the line between Anderson and Indianapolis. The wreck involved wooden cars # 276 (Montpelier) and # 286, both pulling trailers. The wreck was caused by the interurban headed for Anderson not being able to make speed, over running it’s meet, and colliding headon with the interurban enroute to Indianapolis. The cars telescoped…the wood stoves overturned, and a fire broke out. Many people who were otherwise unhurt, died because of the seats in front of them being pushed back and pinning their legs. Trapping them in the inferno.

 

“Note: There is a common grave at Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson containing the bodies of the four unidentified victims….” (Hensley, Roger P. “Alfont wreck.” Railroads of Madison County Indiana.)

 

Indianarailroads.org: “Disaster at Alfont [slide, page 45]

  • Alfont was/is just west of Ingalls at CR 750W
  • February 2, 1924
  • 21 people killed, 36 injured
    • Many burned in the post-accident fire
    • One of the worst interurban wrecks ever
  • Head-on collision between trains caused by ignoring train orders and limited visibility.
  • One of the causes of the UTC bankruptcy.”

(Indianarailroads.org. “Disaster at Alfont,” The history of the Interurban Railroads of Hancock County, slide 45.)

 

Interstate Commerce Commission: “Head-on collision between two passenger trains near Ingalls, Ind., on February 2, 1924, which resulted in the known death of 16 pas­sengers, and the injury of 35 passengers and 1 employee.

 

“The direct cause of this accident was an error in the transmission, receipt, or reading of a train order. The underlying cause was the existence of lax operating practices.

 

“This accident occurred on a single-track line over which trains are operated by time-table, train orders, and an automatic block- signal system. The block-signal system, however, was not in opera­tion in this vicinity at the time of the occurrence of this accident. Scheduled trains have fixed time-table meeting points with opposing scheduled trains; if the opposing train has not arrived at a meeting point the crew is required to communicate with the dispatcher by telephone; orders are made in duplicate, one copy being retained by the conductor and then given by him to the motorman. Orders are written on a special form…

 

“The point of accident was about 3,800 feet west of Ingalls; ap­proaching from the west, there are about 2,000 feet of tangent and a curve of 1° to the left, which is about 400 feet in length, followed by about 1,000 feet of tangent extending to the point of accident.. Approaching from the east there are about 2,000 feet of tangent and a curve of 1° to the left, about 300 feet in length, followed by about 150 feet of tangent extending to the point of accident. The grade from each direction is ascending and then slightly descending prac­tically to the point of accident. The view approaching from either direction is materially obscured by houses, shrubbery, and a pole line on the south side of the track; from a point 600 or 700 feet east of the point of accident it is practically impossible, to see one-car train located about the same distance west of the point of accident. The weather was cloudy at the time of the accident, which occurred at about 4.12 p. m.

 

“The trains involved in this accident were eastbound train No. 24 and westbound train No. 21, which, according to the time-table, should have met at Mur, approximately 2.5 miles west of Ingalls, at 3.50 p. m.

 

“Train No. 24 consisted of motor ear 286 and trailer 305, both of wooden construction with underframes reinforced with steel. Train No. 24 left Indianapolis at 3.17 p. m., 17 minutes late, and at Law­rence the crew received a copy of train order No. 45, directing them to meet a train at Goul, a station approximately 7 miles east of Ingalls. This order had been taken for the crew of train No. 24 by the conductor of train ‘No. 917, a local train which had a time-table meet with train No. 24 at Lawrence and was standing at Lawrence when train No. 24 arrived. The dispatcher and crew of train No. 917 said the order was to meet train No. 23, which was following train No. 21, but the crew of train No. 24 said the order was to meet train No. 21, and after departing from Lawrence at 3.50 p. m., they therefore operated their train past Mur, their time-table meet­ing point with train No. 21, without stopping, and collided with train No. 21 while, traveling at a speed estimated to have been not less than 20 miles an hour.

 

“Train No. 21 consisted of motor car 276 and trailer 306, both of wooden construction, with underframes reinforced with steel. It left Anderson at 3,33 p, m., 18 minutes late, and at Pendleton the crew received train order No. 36, providing in part for a meet with train No. 24 at Dent. This train departed from Ingalls at 4.11 p. m., 27 minutes late, and collided with train No. 24 between Ingalls and Dent while traveling at a, speed estimated to have been about 15 miles an hour.

 

“The motor car of train No. 21 was telescoped by the motor car of train No. 24 for a distance of about 15 feet. Fire broke out a few minutes after the occurrence of the accident and destroyed both motor cars and the trailer of train No. 21; many of the passengers were burned, and it was impossible at the time of the investigation to say definitely how many lives were lost.

 

“On account of the fact that the two copies of train order No. 45 received by the crew of train No. 24 were destroyed in the fire, it can not be stated with absolute certainty whether the order as delivered by the conductor of train No. 917 was incorrect, or whether the motor-man of train No. 24 made the mistake in reading the order. The weight of evidence, however, is against the motorman of train No. 24; the next train to be met was train No. 21, and it is believed that when he received the order he expected it to refer to the first train to be met and read it as establishing a meeting point with that train.

 

“Underlying the apparent failure of the crew to read the train order correctly is the extreme carelessness and neglect shown in general op­eration. The testimony disclosed the existence of many lax oper­ating practices, while many more were observed personally by the commission’s inspectors. It is scarcely conceivable that any official having due regard for the safety of those who travel on his railway, or those who are employed thereon, should permit the existence of the conditions which this investigation disclosed. Action should be taken to do away once and for all with the many dangerous practices found to exist; if this is not done, accidents will again occur.

(A detailed report covering the investigation of this accident was published by the commission under date of March 10, 1924.)”  (ICC. Sum. of Accident Invest. Rpts. 19, Jan-Mar 1924, 16-18.)

 

Jackson: “Ninety years ago one of the most single tragic accidents in Madison County occurred at Alfont.  The accident occurred February 2, 1924, at the southwest edge of Alfont, a small village a short distance west of Ingalls, Indiana. Two interurban trains collided head-on with such force that the two motor cars, or front cars, telescoped in to each other clear through to their smoking compartments.  Nobody will ever know for certain how many people perished in the wreck and the fire which followed;  however, the death toll was tentatively set at 21.

 

“The wreck took place sometime between 4:15 and 4:30 p.m.  The track between Fortville and Ingalls was straight as an arrow except for the slight curve right at the southern edge of Alfont.  It was this curve that kept the motormen on the approaching trains from seeing each other until it was too late to do anything….

 

“….Eventually identification was made for 17 bodies, leaving four unidentified.” (Jackson, Stephen. “Alfont Crash Kills 21 in 1924.” Madison County Historical Society.)

 

Jackson email to Blanchard, March 15, 2016:

“Here is the way the toll of 21 lives lost in the Alfont disaster was arrived at:

 

“The known dead were:

 

  1. Dr. E.B. Haskin of Indianapolis, the state veterinarian.
  2. John L. Hutchins of Greensburg, an employee of the Union Traction in Anderson.

 

“Burned bodies claimed at the Albright and Nuckols mortuary during the weekend of the crash included:

 

  1. J.H. Clark, Jeffersonville, printing instructor at the Indiana Reformatory in Pendleton;
  2. Charles Wiseman, New Albany, guard at the Indiana Reformatory;
  3. Lawrence Flood, 1130 Union St., Indianapolis;
  4. John Moriarty, Marion;
  5. William G. Kinnear, 3306 Ruckle St., Indianapolis;
  6. Samuel T. Greenwalt, Selma, Indiana;
  7. Joseph L. Windsor, 2011 Talbott St., Indianapolis.

 

“Known dead in the fire which followed the crash, with identification established by relatives by means of articles recovered from the debris:

 

  1. James Alert Bryan, Jr., 2831 Kenwood Ave., Indianapolis;
  2. Carey T. Bogue, Marion;
  3. Oliver L. Shaw, 1103 Reid Place, Indianapolis;
  4. James E.T. Sargent, 3310 Central Ave., Indianapolis;
  5. Sherman Fay, Ft. Wayne who was initially reported missing but was later identified at the morgue;
  6. David A. Alverson, Chicago, an adjuster for the Aetna Insurance Company. (Note: He was initially listed as “a body of one man” and later identified as Alverson, who was included with “the torso of a man,” “the torso of a woman,” and “the spinal column and sufficient remnants” to account for what was believed were four bodies.)
  7. The “torso of a woman” was listed as the 16th victim.

 

“Eventually the charred torso of a man was identified as the of:

 

  1. William J. Davis, 70, of Ft. Wayne.

 

“This made a definite 17, with 16 identified.

 

Then, as the debris was finally cleaned up, the charred head of an infant of 2 or 3 years was found. The infant was listed as the 18th victim.

 

“Late in February of 1924, the remains of four unidentified bodies, including the head of an infant were interred in a single casket in East Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson, Indiana. Since the infant was previously listed, that brought the presumed total of dead to 21, and there the figure has remained; correct or incorrect….Stephen T. Jackson, Madison County Historian.”

 

Newspapers

 

Feb 2, Nevada State Journal: “Fortville, Ind., Feb 2 – The death toll of the wreck of two Indiana Union Traction company trains, which collided  head-on near here late today will probably reach 17, rescue workers said tonight. Ten badly charred bodies have been removed from two cars that were destroyed by fire and seven other bodies are believed to be in the wreckage. One man injured, in the, wreck died later in a hospital. Forty injured have been removed to hospitals at Anderson and Indianapolis. Both the motor cars were completely burned within two hours after the crash. Persons assisting in removing the dead and injured said they had seen three other bodies in the wreckage in addition to the four recovered. The wreck occurred on a curve while both trains were traveling at high speed. It was reported that one of the trains had failed to stop at a switch where it was to have passed the other…” (Nevada State Journal, Reno. “Nearly Score Dead in Wreck.” 2-3-1924, p. 1.)

 

Feb 4, Kokomo Daily Tribune: “Anderson, Ind., Feb. 4.— Attempts will be made by several investigators today to determine responsibility for the collision of two Indiana Union Traction interurban trains near Fortville late Saturday afternoon which cost the lives of at least twelve persons and the injury of from forty-five to fifty.

 

“Twelve bodies have been accounted for and eight have been identified. It is thought possible that three bodies were totally cremated in the fire that destroyed two cars following the wreck.

 

“In the morgue here are ten charred bodies. Eight are believed to be the bodies of men and one that of a woman. The tenth body is so disfigured as to make the sex determination impossible. The injured are being cared for in hospitals here and at Indianapolis, and in private homes at Fortville.

 

“Tho bodies of Dr. E. Blaine Haskin of Indianapolis and John L. Hutchins of Greensburg, Ind., have been delivered to relatives.

 

“The principal investigation to determine responsibility for the collision will be made by Jess E. Helbert, Madison coroner. Other investigations will be made by the Indiana Public Service Commission, the Interstate Commerce Commission and officials of the traction company.

 

“John L. Hutchins, age about 30, a meter reader employed at the power plant of the Union Traction company, was on westbound interurban car in the wreck. He was internally hurt but managed to get out of the car and was brought to St. John’s hospital here in a Fortville ambulance and died Saturday night about 8 o’clock, a short time after arriving at the hospital….He is one of the two wreck victims who did not burn to death….

 

“The identified dead are:

 

Dr. E. Blaine Haskin, 39…Indianapolis…inspector directing department of agriculture

bureau of animal industry in Indiana.

John L. Hutchins, Greensburg, Ind.; Union Traction Co. employe at Anderson; died in

Anderson hospital.

  1. H. Clark, Jeffersonville, Ind.; guard at state reformatory at Pendleton, Ind.

Charles Wiseman, New Albany, Ind.; guard at state reformatory at Pendleton, Ind.

Lawrence H. Flood, 33…Indianapolis; salesman, Capitol Supply Company.

John Moriarity, 20 years old, Marion, Ind.

James F. J. Sargent…Indianapolis; president Savings Realty Company.

  1. A. Bryan, Indianapolis.

 

Believed Dead:

 

Willis H. Kinnear…Indianapolis; president, The Kinnear Company, real estate.[6]

Samuel A. Greenwalt, 48 years old, Muncie, Ind. (Identification only partial).[7]

 

“….Those believed dead, but whose bodies have not been identified, are James F. T. Sargent…Indianapolis; Willis H. Kinnear…Indianapolis, and Samuel A. Greenwalt, Muncie.[8]

 

“Following a preliminary hearing on the accident yesterday afternoon, Coroner Helbert placed the blame for the wreck on Roland Flinn, motorman, and Sidney Sawyer, conductor, both of Muncie, Ind.  Flinn and Sawyer composed the crew of the east-bound interurban.  Flinn and Sawyer were both arrested on formal charges of manslaughter.  Their bonds were placed at $2,500 each and they were released on bond pending further investigation.

 

“Flinn and Sawyer testified that they had been ordered to take a siding at Goul, several miles east of the scene of the accident.  J. E. Anthony…Indianapolis, motorman, and Tracey E. Mitchell…conductor of the westbound traction car, declared they were running under orders to met the east bound car at a siding some distance west of the point of the wreck, and that the east-bound car should have awaited their arrival there before continuing toward Muncie.

 

“An investigation of the wreck was started yesterday by the inspection department of the public service commission on the order of John W. McCardle, chairman, David E. Matthews, chief inspector, who went to the scene of the wreck yesterday on Mr. McCardle’s orders, said last night that as a result of his findings he will recommend an immediate hearing on the causes of the disaster.

 

“David E. Matthews, chief inspector of the public service commission visited the scene of the tragedy and made an investigation as to the cause of the disaster.  The investigation has not been completed, and may not be for a few days.

 

The automatic block signals between Mur and Ingalls were not in operation Saturday, and had not been for some days, and this fact had been bulletined to all trainmen on the Indianapolis-Muncie line, and was understood by them.  The nonoperation of these signals was due to work on the big tension transmission line between Fortville and Ingalls.  The block signals are a delicate apparatus, and it is not unusual for them to be inoperative for short periods because of transmission line work or other causes.  In such cases it is the well understood practice to bulletin the fact to trainmen, notifying them to disregard signals until notice of their being again in operation is given.  It was expected to have the Mur signals in operation again by Monday or Tuesday.

 

The motormen on both trains were experienced employes, one having been in the service of the company for twenty-five years and the other for fourteen years, and were regarded as trustworthy and well qualified men.”

 

(Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN.  “Six of Twelve Killed in Crash of Traction Cars Have Been Identified.” 2-4-1924, 3.)

 

Feb 5, Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN: “Anderson, Ind., Feb. 5.–Inquiry was continued by Madison county officials today into the wreck of two Indiana Union Traction trains near Fortville, Ind.. last Saturday, when a head-on collision followed by fire, brought death to 15 or I6 men and women passengers.

 

“Jesse F. Helbert. Madison county coroner, indicated officials of the traction company would be summoned.  A verdict is expected from the coroner late today.

 

“The identification yesterday of the blackened remains of a body as that of Joseph L. Windsor, an insurance agent of Indianapolis, brought the number of known dead to 13.  This number includes the bodies identified and those whose bodies are missing but whose death is confirmed through the identification of personal effects found in the wreckage.

 

“Three unidentified torsos remain in an undertaking establishment here.  These are so badly burned that identification has been impossible.

 

“The list of known dead now includes:  [skipping those named previously]

 

Carey T. Bogue, Marion;

Oliver L. Shaw, Indianapolis….”

 

(Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN. “Probing into Wreck. Still Uncertain as to Number of Dead.” 2-5-1924, 16.)

 

Feb 6, Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN: “Anderson, Ind., Feb. 6 – Little progress was made yesterday in official investigation of the collision of two passenger trains on the Union Traction line near Ingalls last Saturday because of the absence of some of the witnesses to testify at an inquest being conducted by Jess A Helbert, coroner of Madison county. When the coroner undertook to examine Rollan Flynn, motorman, and C. O. Sawyer, conductor, both of Muncie, in charge of the eastbound train in the wreck they refused to further testify except in court because after their previous testimony they had been ordered arrested on the order of the coroner and are held under $2,500 bond each on charge of manslaughter.

 

“Of eleven bodies of wreck victims at the Albright morgue here, five remain unidentified. In addition to the list issued Monday night there were no positive identifications of bodies here yesterday. Because of a watch bearing initials of ‘D. S. A.” being found in the wreck debris, friends of David S. Alversen of Chicago, a special agent for the Aetna Insurance company, believed he perished in the fire following the collision.  He has been missing since the accident.  Bits of garments and other means, another body here is believed to be that of Sherman Fay, of Fort Wayne, representative of a gas company. He boarded the east-bound train at Indianapolis and has not since been located. No deaths among approximately 46 persons injured have been reported to the Union Traction general offices here….” (Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN. “Traction Men Not Talking After Arrest.” 2-6-1924, 3.)

 

Feb 8, Indianapolis Star: “Anderson, Ind., Feb 8. – Investigation of the Union Traction Company head-on collision at Alfont last Saturday, which cost the lives of more then fifteen persons by the Indiana public service commission and interstate commerce commission was ended this afternoon as far as Anderson was concerned unless some unforeseen evidence arises requiring a return to this city.

 

“Commission members left Anderson this afternoon after completing the secret inquiry at the city hall. Members stated that L. L. Slick, claim adjuster for the company, had been summoned to appear before the commission at Indianapolis Monday afternoon [Feb 11], at 2 o’clock to wind up testimony in the wreck…[unclear word] for the reason that he was not in the city today to give his testimony. A member of the commission asserted that the commission expected to have its report on the inquiry ready within a few days unless some new developments arose.

 

“A commissioner stated that Motorman Rollin Flynn and Conductor…Sawyer of Muncie who were in charge of the eastbound car involved in the crash, were the only interurban employes directly involved in the accident who did not testify. A member stated that Flynn and Sawyer had been invited to appear and relate their version of the collision providing they were willing to voluntarily testify, but that it was understood that the men refrained from appearing on advice of their attorneys….

 

“Arthur W. Brady, President of the Union Traction Company was not called before the commission, but in a statement today explained the facts about the block signal system being inoperative. Mr. Brady said that only the portion of the block system signals between Ingalls and Fortville was out of commission. He said that this section of the system was put out of commission on Dec 28, last year, in order that linemen might make repairs rebuilding the line along this link and making it thoroughly effective.

 

“Witnesses examined today by the commission included H. A. Nicholl, general manager of the Union Traction system, H. W. Ingle, conductor on one of the trailers [unclear] in the wreck, Earl Boyle, dispatcher, J. O. Pennisten [unclear], superintendent of power distribution, M. F. List, signal maintainer and T. H. Nicholl, superintendent of power. None of the evidence before the commission was made public.

 

“With the probe of state and Federal commissions of the Alfont wreck out of the way, Coroner Jerry [unclear] Helbert today turned his attention to completion of the coroner’s inquiry into the collision which cost fifteen lives. Helbert stated that he had summoned witnesses from Marlon, Muncie and Indianapolis to appear here tomorrow at 10 a.m. to related their versions.

 

“The remnants of one of the charred bodies was identified here tonight as the remains of Sherman Fay, a travelling man of Fort Wayne. Identification was established by a piece of underwear found on the body. This increases the list of known dead in the Union Traction collision to fifteen and is the tenth body claimed from among those burned when the two cars caught fire. The body was taken to Fort Wayne tonight.” (Indianapolis Star, IN. “State and U.S. End Probe at Anderson.” 2-9-1924, p. 8.)

 

Feb 8, Rushville Daily Republican, IN: “Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 8 (UP) – Fire extinguishers on the trailer of the eastbound interurban in the Fortville wreck were not in working order, according to a statement made today by Claude Miller, a passenger on the eastbound car. The Union Traction company says it keeps two extinguishers in each car and inspects them at regular intervals. Miller said he thought the fire in which several persons were burned to death might have been prevented had the extinguisher been in good order. He said he and another man rushed into the trailer to get the extinguisher. ‘The man took the extinguisher down from the rack, and tried it,’ Miller said, ‘and then he threw it out the window, saying it was empty.’ Miller said he took down the water cooler and found it contained about a pint of water.” (Rushville Daily Republican, IN. “Extinguishers on Trailer Not Working.” 2-8-1924, 1.)

 

Feb 9, Brazil Daily Times, IN: “Indianapolis, Feb 9 — The crew of the eastbound Union Traction car which was in the collision at Fortville a week ago today was required to work 13 hours on the day of the accident, it was revealed today.

 

“Rollin Flynn, motorman, and Sidney Sawyer, conductor of the eastbound car, are held on a charge of involuntary manslaughter as the result of the death of, 18 or 19 persons in the wreck.

 

“Under a new schedule adopted by the company, all motormen and conductors on the Anderson division were required to work a 13-hour day alternately with an eight hour day. On the day of the accident, Flynn and Sawyer began their run at 4:30 a. m., it has been learned. They were required to report at the station at Indianapolis at 4:15 a. m. Both men had been working approximately 12 hours when the accident happened at 4:30 o’clock in the afternoon.” (Brazil Daily Times, IN. “Motorman and Conductor Held for Manslaughter.” 2-9-1924, p. 6.)

 

Feb 12, Linton Daily Citizen, IN: “Indianapolis, Feb 12. — —Efforts to obtain a detailed description of a woman and baby, believed to have burned to death in the wreck on the Union Traction line near Fortville, are being made by Dr. C. N. Brown, of Fairmount, Ind. Witnesses toll of having seen a woman and baby killed in the wreck but none has been able to give an accurate description. The skull of a baby, taken from the ruins, is in the morgue at Anderson. The only description that has been obtained is that the woman was “well dressed” and the baby “very young.” Dr. Brown indicated the missing persons lived in Grant county, Ind.” (Linton Daily Citizen, Linton, IN. “Identity of Pair Sought.” 2-12-1924, p. 1.)

 

Feb 13, Kokomo Tribune, IN: “Indianapolis, Feb 13. – Indianapolis have received a letter from Mrs. Nellie Leffler of Anderson, asking that a search be made for her sister, Mrs. Mary Thompson and nineteen months old baby. The police immediately associated the inquiry with reports that a woman and infant had burned to death in the fire that followed the collision of two cars on the Indiana Union Traction company’s lines at Alfont, Feb. 2.” (Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 2-13-1924, p. 11.)

 

Feb 15, Indianapolis Star: “Relatives of William J. Davis of Fort Wayne, Ind. who disappeared Feb 2, the date of the wreck of two Union Traction interurban cars near Fortville, Ind., in which many persons were killed and injured, were in Indianapolis last night attempting to learn if he perished in the wreck. They intend to visit Anderson, Ind. and believe they will be able to identify Mr. Davis’s remains among those of the wreck victims. Mr. Davis was a traveling representative for the Fort Wayne Dairy Equipment Company of Fort Wayne, according to G. B. Davis of Chicago, Ill., his son, and A. J. Davis of Milwaukee, Wis., his brother.

 

“Mr. Davis was registered at the Spencer house for several days prior to the wreck, his relatives learned last night.  Records of the hotel show that he left some time the day of the wreck.  Before leaving the hotel Mr. Davis had written to his son at Chicago, advising him that he intended going to Fort Wayne the afternoon of the wreck, and that he would go from there to Chicago the next day.  That was the last communication any one received from Mr. Davis, his relatives say.

 

“Officials of the Union Traction Company at Anderson, Ind., said last night that the body of a large persons who perished in the wreck had not been identified.  From the description of the body Mr. Davis’s relatives expressed the opinion it will be found to he his…”[9] (Indianapolis Star, IN. “Relatives Search For William Davis.” 2-15-1924, 1.)

 

Feb 18, Rushville Daily Republican: “Muncie, Ind, Feb. 18 — Coroner Jess Helbert of Anderson at noon today filed his verdict in the Union Traction wreck at Fortville February 2, in which eighteen persons lost their lives, holding Rolland Flynn, motorman, and Sydney Sawyer, conductor, both of Muncie, responsible for the wreck, and advising they be indicted by the Madison county grand jury on a charge of manslaughter. The Madison County prosecutor will ask that the grand jury be called at once.” (Rushville Daily Republican, Rushville, IN. “Blames Crew for Wreck.” 2-18-1924, p. 1.)

 

Feb 19, Kokomo Tribune: “Anderson, Ind., Feb. 19. – In a formal verdict last night, Jesse A. Helbert, coroner of Madison county, holds Rollin Flinn, motorman, and Charles O. Sawyer, conductor, of the east-bound train responsible for the collision of passenger trains on the Union Traction company line, near Alfont, February 2.

 

“The verdict includes the names of thirteen persons whose deaths were caused, he says, by ‘crushing injuries, suffocation and burning’ and after reviewing testimony of various witnessed he finds that ‘the wreck was caused by the negligence of the said Rollin Flinn and Charles O. Sawyer in operating train No. 24 in violation of operating rules of the company and by their failure to report for or receive orders from the train dispatcher at the regular meeting place of the two trains.’

 

“The verdict further says the meeting place was at Mur siding, near Fortville. The collision occurred east of Mur and near the Dent siding at the west edge of Alfont, about three miles east of Fortville.

 

“In addition to persons named as known dead, the verdict adds ‘and other persons whose identity is unknown.’

 

“The body of William F. Davis, 70, of Fort Wayne, was identified yesterday and forwarded to Chicago last night.

 

“Flinn and Sawyer, who have been under bond since the day after the collision, will be re-arrested and their bonds raised pending investigation by the Madison county grand jury.”  (Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN.  “Blame on Car Crew.” 2-19-1924, 10.)

 

Feb 19, Daily Republican: “Anderson, Ind., Feb 19 – Rollin Flynn and Charles Sawyer, trainmen of the eastbound Union Traction car which crashed into a westbound car near Fortville, Feb. 2, killing 16 or 18 persons, were held over to the grand jury today on a formal charge of manslaughter. Full responsibility for the accident was placed on the shoulders of Motorman Flynn and Conductor Sawyer by Coroner Helbert in his verdict returned yesterday. Helbert said the evidence showed the two men had run their cars past the siding where they had been ordered to meet the westbound car. Flynn and Sawyer waived arraignment when they were re-arrested and their bond was ordered raised. Coroner Helbert recommended that the grand jury indict them on a formal charge of manslaughter. The grand jury will be called into session the first of next week to consider the case.” (Daily Republican, Rushville, IN. “Trainmen are Held Over to Grand Jury.” 2-19-1924, p. 1.)

 

Feb 23, Brazil Daily Times: “Indianapolis, Feb. 23. Belief that Carl H. Wylie…missing from his room at the Brevort Hotel since Feb. 1, may have been among those who perished in the wreck of two Union Traction Company interurban trains near Fortville, Ind., Feb. 2, was expressed yesterday by hotel attaches. Wylie, according to employes of the hotel, left the hotel about noon Friday, Feb. 1, saying he was going to Anderson and Muncie to look for work. He had intended to return Saturday afternoon or evening. He has not been seen since, it is said. Hotel attaches said they wrote to Wylie’s sister, Mrs. Thomas Love, Springfield, Oh., but she had not heard from him since before the wreck, when he mentioned he intended trip to Anderson and Muncie….” (Brazil Daily Times, IN. “Another Missing Man Believed Traction Victim.” 2-23-1924, p. 5.)

 

Feb 24, Indianapolis Star: “Anderson, Ind., Feb. 24. – C. W. Rex and wife of Montpelier returned to Anderson last night and resumed the hunt for trace of George Dixon, 26 years old, his wife, Myrtle, 20, and their 10 month-old babe [daughter noted later in article][10] who have been missing since Jan 26 and who may have been in the Union Traction collision at Alfont in which sixteen or more lives were lost. Rex, whose wife is a sister to Mr. Dixon, still believes that the family was on the ill fated westbound interurban car from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis where Dixon hoped to find employment as a plumber. Rex has talked to a number of persons who were on the car and has gained from many of the survivors information that a mother and babe were on the car. Most of the passengers however have been unable to give a satisfactory description of the mother and child.

 

“Coroner Helbert…[unclear words] states he believes the Dixon family was on the car and probably was lost….” (Indianapolis Star. “Continue Search for Lost Family.” 2-25-2014, p. 2.)

 

Feb 25, Indianapolis Star: “Anderson, Ind., Feb 25 — Miss Bertha Gilbert, 19 years old, of Urbana, Ill. arrived here today to aid in the effort to get trace of her sister, Mrs. Myrtle Dixon, 20 years old, brother in law George Dixon, 23 years old, and their baby daughter Marjorie, ten months old, who have been mysteriously missing since Jan 26 and who are believed  to have been lost in the Union traction wreck at Alfont. Misses Gilbert examined two baby rings from the wreckage which are in possession of Coroner Helbert. The sister stated that her niece, Marjorie, had a signet ring similar to the one in the hands of the coroner but that she could not positively identify the ring.

 

“Coroner Helbert says that one passenger in the westbound interurban car has been found who identifies the picture of Dixon as that of a young man he saw pinned in the wreckage of the roof of the telescoped cars. Miss Gilbert asserts that she is positive that her sister and brother in law and babe were lost in the wreck.” (Indianapolis Star, IN. “Scans Wreck Remains for Trace of Missing Family.” 2-26-1924, p. 3.)

 

Feb 27, Kokomo Daily Tribune: “Anderson; Ind., Feb. 27.—-George .Dixon; 23, his wife Thelma, 20, and their ten months old daughter Marjorie, of Winchester, Ky., were found at Fort “Wayne after relatives had searched for them while believing they had perished In a collision of the Union Traction company trains near Alfont, February 2. They were located by Mrs. C. W. Rex, of Montpelier, after she had examined parts of three bodies that remain unclaimed here and then proceeded to Fort Wayne to renew a search there.” (Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 2-27-1924, p. 4.)

 

Feb 28, Kokomo Daily Tribune: “Indianapolis, Feb.. 2S.-*-The- Indiana Public Service Commission has begun the study of a tentative draft of the report on its inquiry Into the wreck on the Indiana Union Traction lines at Alfont on February 2-J It was said several recommendations to the Interurban company axe embodied in the report, which under the law, can not be mode public for ninety days after the Investigation. Samuel R. Artman, of the commission, conducted the inquiry, and drafted the tentative report.” (Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 2-28-1924, p. 6.)

 

March 3, Kokomo Daily Tribune: “Anderson, Ind., Mar. 3 – Ten days time in which to start work on certain safety device improvements has been given the Union Traction company of Indiana by the public service commission, it was learned here today. The commission, which investigated the wreck at Alfont on the Union Traction lines costing almost a score [20] sent its report to the offices of the company, but did not make its recommendations public. It was also said that unless the traction company complied with the recommendations of the commission within the specified time that the commission would make public immediately its report.

 

“Arthur Brady, president of the traction company, was out of the city today and General Manager H. A. Nicholl refused to make any statement regarding the report.” (Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN. “Provide For Safety. Union Traction Co. Given Ten Days to Start Improvements.” 3-3-1924, p. 2.)

 

March 4, Tipton Daily Tribune: “….The Madison county grand jury yesterday went into session to investigate: the Alfont Union traction wreck… The traction wreck will be the first case taken up. The jury probe will be based on the verdict of Coroner Helbert which placed responsibility for the wreck on Motorman Flynn and Conductor Sawyer of Muncie.” (Tipton Daily Tribune, Tipton, IN. “Brady Makes Denial. 3-4-1924, p. 4.)

 

March 4, Washington Democrat: “Anderson, Ind., March 4 –Recommendations of the state public service commission considered by stockholders and officials of the Union Traction company at the annual meeting today contain drastic provisions for the safety of the traveling public it was learned. The report made after the commission’s investigation of the Fortville wreck in which nearly a score of lives were lost on February 2 made these points:

 

  1. Relay of train orders through a third party must be stopped.
  2. The thirteen-hour day for train crews with short rest periods must be abolished.
  3. The company has been guilty of lax management and must take immediate steps to remedy conditions.”

(Washington Democrat, IN. “Asks Changes for Safety of Public.” 3-4-1924, p. 1.)

 

March 5, Kokomo Daily Tribune: “Anderson, Ind., March 5. —The Madison county grand jury examined only three persons yesterday in an investigation of the wreck of passenger trains on the Union Traction line near Alfont, February 2.” (Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 3-5-1924, p. 4.)

 

March 7, Washington Democrat, IN: “Indianapolis, March 7 — Gov. McCray today declined to take a hand in the move to make public the report of the public service commission on the Fortville Interurban wreck. “That is a question for the commission to decide” the governor said.

 

“Arthur W. Brady, president of the Union Traction company, appeared before the public service commission today to urge a modification of the commission’s recommendations. The commission it is understood recommended that the 13-hour day with a 45 minute rest period be abolished. Modification of the new working schedule proposed by the commission was asked by Brady.

 

“Jurisdiction of working hours for traction crews is limited to federal laws which place a maximum of 16 hours in a 24 hour period with a ten hour rest period after each long day.

 

“The state commission has used the threat of publicity, commissioners explained, as a means of securing acceptance of their recommendations.” (Washington Democrat, Washington, IN. “McCray Refuses to Take a Hand.” 3-7-1924, p. 1.)

 

March 11, Kokomo Daily Tribune: “Indianapolis. March 11 — Two suits, each asking $10,000, because of alleged injuries suffered in the Union Traction wreck at Alfont last month, were filed in superior court here by Claude Miller and his wife, of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Miller said they were on the Anderson-bound car.” (Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 3-11-1924, p. 6.)

 

March 14, Kokomo Daily Tribune: “Indianapolis, March 14. — What is believed to be the first direct account of the tragic death of a woman and babe in the Union Traction interurban wreck at Alfont, near Fortville, February 2, has been obtained from Mrs. Minnie Waymire, 5733 East Washington street, who was a passenger on one of the wrecked cars. The identity of the woman and the baby still remains a mystery.

 

“Mrs. Waymire said she talked with the woman from outside the burning car and pleaded with her to hand the child out the window in order that the little one’s life might be spared. The mother refused, she said, asserting that as there was no one to care for the child she preferred to have it die with her.

 

“Following the wreck. Jesse E. Helbert, coroner of Madison county, and other officials investigating the disaster, heard reports that passengers on the cars had seen the woman and babe perish in the flames, but they were unable to find any one who really saw the incident. The story told by Mrs. Waymire, who has not yet fully recovered from injuries she suffered in the collision, is substantiated by the fact that a baby’s skull and two baby rings were found in the burned wreckage.

 

“Mrs. Waymire said the woman and baby were passengers on the Indianapolis-bound train and were sitting on the north side of the car, a seat or two back of the smoking compartment. She said that owing to the smoke and flames she could not see the woman clearly, but that she thought she had dark hair. The baby appeared to be about a year old and was held close to the mother’s breast, she said.

 

“Mrs. Waymire, who was on the east-bound interurban on the way to Ft. Wayne, was sitting just back of the smoking compartment when the crash occurred. Her ankle and back were sprained and she was hurt about the abdomen. She said that after she got off the car she hobbled around the rear of the trailer to the north side of the train, she said.

 

“As she was walking along the side of the train, she said, she saw a man, who apparently had fallen or jumped from a window, lying on the ground. Despite her injured condition, Mrs. Waymire dragged him from the side of the tracks to a nearby field. The man’s legs were broken, she said. While she was rescuing this passenger she heard a baby crying inside one of the cars.

 

“`When I got back to the side of the burning cars I could still hear the baby crying,” said Mrs. Waymire, ‘and finally through the smoke and flames I caught a glimpse of the mother and babe and called to the woman to hand the baby out the window to me.’  ‘No, there is no one to take care of my baby, so I’ll just let it die with me,’ the woman answered, according to Mrs. Waymire.

‘The glass in the window was broken and the woman’s head was partly out the window,’ continued Mrs. Waymire. ‘She was holding the child close to her with her left hand and was moving her right hand in an apparent effort to fight off the flames, which at that time were surrounding her. The woman seemed to be wedged between the seats so tightly it would have been impossible to pull her out. She pleaded with me to try to help her, but refused to give up the child.

 

“`’I started back toward the end of the coach. I met a man and told him what I had seen. He said he, too, had seen the woman and had pleaded, with her to give him the baby, but she refused, saying the two would die together. Then another man came up and said he would go inside the car and try to rescue them. He came out a few seconds later, saying the smoke and heat were so intense that he could not reach them.  By the time we got back to the point where the woman and child were seen, the flames had enveloped them.”

 

“Although it has been nearly six weeks since the wreck occurred, all efforts to establish the identity of the mother and babe have been unavailing. The tiny skull and other charred fragments of bodies taken from the wreckage have been buried in a single grave in an Anderson cemetery.”  (Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN. “Mother Would Not Give Babe Up To Rescuer.” 3-14-1924, 9.)

 

March 26, Linton Daily Citizen: “Anderson, Ind., March 26.—The Madison county grand jury returned ten indictments when it adjourned yesterday after an investigation of the wreck of Union Traction company passenger trains, near Alfont, on February 2, resulting in sixteen deaths and the injury of forty persons. The names of the persons indicted were withheld.

 

“It was reported that probably only two indictments were made in connection with the wreck and that they apply to Rollin Flynn and C. O. Sawyer, both of Muncie, crew in charge of the east bound train in collision. They have been under bond of $3,000 each on charges of involuntary manslaughter since a coroner’s verdict was made.” (Linton Daily Citizen, Linton, IN. “Indictments Returned.” 3-26-1924, p. 1.)

 

April 11, INS: “Washington, April 11. – The Union Traction company of Indiana was held responsible today by the interstate commerce commission for a wreck on its lines at Ingalls, Ind., on February 2, resulting in the death of 16 passengers and the injury of 36 others. In a report to the committee, W. P. Borland, director of the bureau of public safety, declared that the traction company was “extremely careless” in the operation of its cars and that “neglect was primarily responsible for the head-on collision at Ingalls. Borland said: “While it is believed the immediate cause of this accident was the failure of a crew to read a train order correctly, underlying that is the extreme carelessness and neglect shown in general operation.”” (International News Service. “Traction Company is Held Responsible.” Linton Daily Citizen, Linton, IN. 4-11-1924, p. 1.)

 

April 12, INS: “Indianapolis, April 12.—Following the report of the interstate commerce commission at Washington, D. C., yesterday condemning the Union Traction company for the wreck at Ingalls,. Ind., February 2, when a score[11] lost their lives and many were injured, the Indiana public service commission today made public its report condemning the traction company.” (International News Service. “Condemn Traction Company.” Linton Daily Citizen, Linton, IN, 4-12-1924, p. 1.)

 

April 15, Kokomo Daily Tribune: “Anderson, Ind., April 15.—Date of the trial of Rollin Flynn and Charles O. Sawyer, trainmen in charge of the eastbound Union Traction company car which was in collision at Alfont, February 2, in which 18 lives were lost, was not set Monday, owing to the illness of fudge W. A. Kittinger of the Madison county court. He said he would be unable for several days to call the April docket. Flynn and Sawyer are charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the wreck.” (Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 4-15-1924, p. 2.)

 

Recap of Named and Unidentified Fatalities:

 

  1. Alversen, David S. Chicago, IL
  2. Bogue, Carey T. Marion, IN
  3. Bryan, J. A., Jr. Indianapolis
  4. Clark, J. H. Jeffersonville, IN
  5. Davis, William J. Fort Wayne, IN
  6. Fay, Sherman Fort Wayne, IN
  7. Flood, Lawrence Indianapolis, IN
  8. Greenwalt, Samuel A. Muncie, IN
  9. Haskin, Dr. E. Blaine, 39[12] Indianapolis, IN
  10. Hutchins, John L.                   Greensburg, IN
  11. Kinnear, Willis H. Indianapolis, IN
  12. Moriarity, John Marion, IN
  13. Sargent, James F. T. Indianapolis, IN
  14. Shaw, Oliver L. Indianapolis, IN
  15. Windsor, Joseph L. Indianapolis, IN
  16. Wiseman, Charles                  New Albany, IN
  17. Unidentified woman’s torso (Mary Thompson of Anderson?)
  18. Unidentified baby (baby skull and rings in morgue; child of Mary Thompson?)
  19. Unidentified person (spinal column remained.)
  20. Unidentified person (sufficient remains believed to account for 4th unidentified).

 

Missing (perhaps one of the unidentified?)

Wylie, Carl H. (reported on way to Anderson Feb 1, still missing Feb 23.)

 

Noted as a victim (though we think mistakenly)

O’Brian, B. T.                         Indianapolis, IN?[13]

 

Sources

 

Beitler, Stu. “Fortville, IN Interurban Trains Collide, Feb 1924,” GenDisasters.com. Accessed 3-14-2016: http://www3.gendisasters.com/indiana/12302/fortville-in-interurban-trains-collide-feb-1924

 

Brazil Daily Times, Brazil, IN. “Another Missing Man Believed Traction Victim.” 2-23-1924, 5. Accessed 3-13-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=240571804&sterm

 

Brazil Daily Times, Brazil, IN. “Motorman and Conductor Held for Manslaughter.” 2-9-1924, p. 6. Accessed 3-13-2016: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=270480351&sterm

 

Daily Republican, Rushville, IN. “Blames Crew for Wreck.” 2-18-1924, p. 1. Accessed 3-13-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=114728256&sterm

 

Daily Republican, Rushville, IN. “Extinguishers on Trailer Not Working.” 2-8-1924, 1. Accessed at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=114728192

 

Daily Republican, Rushville, IN. “Trainmen are Held Over to Grand Jury.” 2-19-1924, p. 1. Accessed 3-13-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=114728264&sterm

 

Findagrave.com. “Samuel A Greenwalt.” Record created by Glenda Barry; added 4-17-2011. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Greenwalt&GSiman=1&GScnty=809&GRid=68484407

 

Hensley, Roger P. “Alfont wreck.” Railroads of Madison County Indiana. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://madisonrails.railfan.net/grant/page6.html

 

Hensley, Roger P. Railroads of Madison County. “Traction Photo Page.” 2003-2015. Accessed 3-12-2016 at: http://madisonrails.railfan.net/phototraction.html

 

Indianapolis Star, IN. “Continue Search for Lost Family.” 2-25-2014, p. 2. Accessed 3-13-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=3223996&sterm

 

Indianapolis Star, IN. “Relatives Search For William Davis.” 2-15-1924, 1. Accessed at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=3222702

 

Indianapolis Star, IN. “Scans Wreck Remains for Trace of Missing Family.” 2-26-1924, p. 3.

Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=3224013&sterm

 

Indianapolis Star, IN. “State and U.S. End Probe at Anderson.” 2-9-1924, p. 8. Accessed 3-13-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=3221992&sterm=union+traction

 

Indianarailroads.org. The history of the Interurban Railroads of Hancock County (slides). Accessed 3-12-2016 at: https://www.google.com/#q=The+history+of+the+Interurban+Railroads+of+Hancock+County+

 

International News Service, Indianapolis, IN. “Condemn Traction Company.” Linton Daily Citizen, Linton, IN, 4-2-1924, p. 1. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=165180342&sterm

 

International News Service, Washington, DC. “Traction Company is Held Responsible.” Linton Daily Citizen, Linton, IN. 4-11-1924, p. 1. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=165180338&sterm

 

Interstate Commerce Commission. Summary of Accident Investigation Reports No. 19, January, February, and March 1924. Washington, DC: GPO, 1924. Google digitized at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=c3zNAAAAMAAJ&printsec=titlepage&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0

 

Jackson, Stephen T. (Madison County Historian). “Alfont Crash Kills 21 in 1924.” Madison County Historical Society, IN. Accessed 3-12-2016 at: http://www.andersonmchs.com/alfont-traction-wreck.php

 

Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Blame on Car Crew.” 2-19-1924, 10. Accessed at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=113436463

 

Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 2-13-1924, p. 11. Accessed 3-13-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=113436373&sterm

 

Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 2-27-1924, p. 4. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=113436567&sterm

 

Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 2-28-1924, p. 6. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=113436583&sterm

 

Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 3-5-1924, p. 4. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=113436664&sterm=union+traction

 

Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 3-11-1924, p. 6. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=113436748&sterm

 

Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Hoosier Highlights.” 4-15-1924, p. 2. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=113437252&sterm

 

Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Mother Would Not Give Babe Up To Rescuer.” 3-14-1924, 9. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=113436795

 

Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN. “Probing into Wreck. Still Uncertain as to Number of Dead.” 2-5-1924, 16. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=113436271

 

Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Provide For Safety. Union Traction Co. Given Ten Days to Start Improvements.” 3-3-1924, p. 2. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=113436630&sterm

 

Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Six of Twelve Killed in Crash of Traction Cars Have Been Identified.” 2-4-1924, 3. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=113436246

 

Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, IN. “Traction Men Not Talking After Arrest.” 2-6-1924, 3. Accessed at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=113436274

 

Linton Daily Citizen, Linton, IN. “Eastbound Crew is Blamed for Wreck.” 2-19-1924, p. 1. Accessed 3-13-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=165180228&sterm

 

Linton Daily Citizen, Linton, IN. “Identity of Pair Sought.” 2-12-1924, p. 1. Accessed 3-13-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=131216502&sterm=union+traction

 

Linton Daily Citizen, Linton, IN. “Indictments Returned.” 3-26-1924, p. 1. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=131216670&sterm=union+traction

 

Logansport Press, Logansport, IN. “Blast Rivals Rail Wreck as Worst State Disaster.” 11-2-1963, 5. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=84400396

 

Nevada State Journal, Reno. “Nearly Score Dead in Wreck.” 2-3-1924, p. 1. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=4940430&sterm

 

Tipton Daily Tribune, Tipton, IN. “Brady Makes Denial. 3-4-1924, p. 4. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=142465268&sterm

 

Washington Democrat, Washington, IN. “Asks Changes for Safety of Public.” 3-4-1924, p. 1. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=164539608&sterm

 

Washington Democrat, Washington, IN. “McCray Refuses to Take a Hand.” 3-7-1924, p. 1. Accessed 3-14-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=164539632&sterm

 

[1] Our attempt to account for fatalities from newspaper accounts of the time appears to come to 18 (including two unidentified victims). But, there is a grave near Alfont containing what was thought to be the remains of four unidentified victims. Two more unidentified would make a total of 20. However, we note four more recent sources which note 21 fatalities, one of which (Jackson) specifically states that 17 victims were identified, and four others were not. While we are skeptical of the figure of 21 fatalities, and think that the number was probably no more than 20, we use the range 20-21 until such time as doubt can be removed. Sent email to Madison County Historical Society on 3-13-2016 seeking to determine source for notation of 21 fatalities. His detailed reply again noted 21, though we were able only to account for sixteen named and four unidentified victims noted within his email. In another email correspondence he acknowledge this discrepancy but repeated that the local consensus at the time was 21 fatalities, thus there must have been a fifth unidentified body in that “It’s the only logical explanation for the consensus opinion of 21 victims as expressed in 1924.”

[2] Slide 45, “Disaster at Alfont.”

[3] Notes “nobody will ever know for certain how many people perished in the wreck and the fire which followed; however, the death toll was tentatively set at 21.” Later notes that “Eventually identification was made for 17 bodies, leaving four unidentified.”

[4] Writes that almost a score (20) of lives were lost.

[5] “…nearly a score [20] of lives were lost…”

[6] Feb 5 article (“Probing in the Wreck”), Kokomo Daily Tribune (16), includes his name amongst “The list of known dead.”

[7] From Findagrave.com is entry on Samuel A Greenwalt which notes date of birth as 1876 and death in 1924. Buried in White Cemetery, Selman, Delaware County, IN.

[8] All three later identified as dead.  Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN.  “Probing into Wreck. Still Uncertain as to Number of Dead.” 2-5-1924, 16.

[9] Later identified.  Kokomo Daily Tribune, IN. “Blame on Car Crew.” 2-19-1924, 10.

[10] “Miss Bertha Gilbert, 19 years old, of Urbana, Ill. arrived here [Anderson, IN] today to aid in the effort to get trace of her sister, Mrs. Myrtle Dixon, 20 years old, brother in law George Dixon, 23 years old, and their baby daughter Marjorie, ten months old, who have been mysteriously missing since Jan 26 and who are believed  to have been lost in the Union traction wreck at Alfont. Misses Gilbert examined two baby rings from the wreckage which are in possession of Coroner Helbert. The sister stated that her niece, Marjorie, had a signet ring similar to the one in the hands of the coroner but that she could not positively identify the ring.

[11] We take this as a form of speech not a literal translation into “20” given the fact that the article was on an ICC report which noted sixteen deaths, ant the paper had on earlier dates noted “nearly a score” of fatalities.

[12] In a March 14, 2015 email to Blanchard from Stephen T. Jackson, Madison County Historian, he notes that Dr. Haskin was the state veterinarian.

[13] “O’Brian” listing is from Stu Beitler, “Fortville, IN Interurban Trains Collide, Feb 1924,” in transcription for GenDisasters.com of The Lima News, OH article, “17 killed and 40 hurt in Traction Collision,” 2-3-1924. Since we do not elsewhere see this name we postulate that it is a mistaken reference to J. A. Bryan. The name “O’Brian” is not on listing of victims sent to Blanchard from Stephen T. Jackson, Madison County (IN) Historian, on 3-17-2016.