1918 — Jun 22, Train rams Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus train, fire, Ivanhoe ~Hammond, IN–75-86

–75-86 Blanchard estimate.*

–75-200 Goshen Daily Democrat, IN. “Many Are Killed in Rail Disaster.” 6-22-1918, p. 1.
— 94 Henry Hill (on the train) letter to John Green, noted in Washington Herald, OH. 7-2-1918, 5.
— 86 Boissoneault. “The Hammond Train Wreck of 1918 Killed…Circus Performers.” 6-22-2018.
— 86 C.A.S. “The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Train Wreck of 1918.” Indiana Disasters.
— 86 Circuses and Sideshows. “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus.” Accessed 7-28-2020.
— <86 Grossman. “Circus graveyard…the Hagenbeck-Wallace tragedy of 1918.” 8-12-2016. --53 Buried in Showmen’s Rest section, Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Hill, IL. --48 Unidentified (primarily burn injuries) -- 5 Identified -- 86 Higgins. “The truths of the circus train crash of 1918…more horrifying than…” 6-20-2018. -- 86 Potempa. “Chills without thrills: Hammond circus train wreck of 1918…” 12-6-2014. -- 86 Ross. “100 years ago…worst circus train wreck in U.S. …happened in Gary…” 6-22-2018. -- 86 Ross. “Documentary tells tale of 1918 circus train tragedy…” Post Tribune, 1-19-2020. --53 Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, IL. -- 85 Daily Free Press, Carbondale, IL. “Start Inquiry…Wreck of Circus Train.” 6-24-1918, p.1. -- 61-85 Haine. Railroad Wrecks. 1993, p. 31 and 90-91.** -- 85 Lake County Times, Hammond, IN. “Wreck Dead…85…Circus Manager.” 6-24-1918, p1. -- >80 Bloomington Evening World, IN. “Sees Scores of Persons Burn.” 6-29-1918, p. 1.
— 78 Weekly Democrat, Brazil, IN. [Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Train] 7-3-1918, p. 4.
— 69 Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Wreck Wipes Out Circus; 69 Dead…” 6-22-1918, p. 1.
— 68 Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (3rd Ed.). 1982, pp. 436-437.
— 68 Logansport Press, IN. “Blast Rivals Rail Wreck as Worst State Disaster.” 11-2-1963, 5.
— 68 Railroad Stories. “The Month of June in Railroad History,” June 1935, p. 54.
— 68 Shaw. Down Brakes: A History of Railway Accidents… 1961, p. 296.
— 67 AP. “Circus Manager Estimates Death List at Sixty-Seven.” Goshen Daily Democrat, IN. 6-22-1918, 1.
— 65 Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Circus In Wreck.” 7-6-1918, p. 1.
— 64 Middlebury Independent, IN. “Sixty Four Dead.” 7-12-1918, p. 1.
— 63 Defiance Crescent-News, OH. “Start Inquiry Into Wreck of Circus Train.” 6-24-1918, 1.
–24 identified dead
–39 unidentified dead
— 63 Lake County Times, IN. “Donnahue Dies in Hammond.” 7-5-1918, p. 1.
— 62 Norwich Bulletin, CT. “85 Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Employes Killed.” 6-24-1918, 1.
— 61 Daily Free Press, Carbondale, IL. “Start Inquiry…Wreck of Circus Train.” 6-24-1918, p.1.
— 61 Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, IN. “60 Known Dead and 129 Injured…” 6-23-1918, p.1.
— 60 Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, IN. “60 Known Dead and 129 Injured…” 6-23-1918, p.1.
— 60 Lake County Times, Hammond, IN. “Wreck Dead…85…Circus Manager.” 6-24-1918, 1.
— 59 AP. “59 Dead, 115 Injured on Mich. Cen. List.” Goshen Daily Democrat, IN. 6-22-1918, 1.
— >58 Daily Gazette, Sterling, IL. “Engineer Is Jailed For Circus Wreck.” 6-26-1918, p. 8.
— 58 Lake County Times, Hammond, IN. “Sargent Refuses to Talk.” 6-25-1918, p. 1.
— 58 Westville Indicator, IN. “Asleep at the Throttle.” 6-27-1918, p. 4.
— 53 Nash. Darkest Hours – A Narrative Encyclopedia of Worldwide Disasters. 1977, p279.

*Blanchard: The highest number of known deaths we are aware of from reporting at the time is 75. This is based on:

47 Unidentified bodies buried in mass grave of the Showmen’s League of America.
24 Identified dead
2 Identified missing, presumed consumed in fire. (Mr. Henry and Bernard Sillinger.)
2 Later known deaths due to injuries (George Donahue/July 4, John Nelson/July 5)

We use 86 deaths as the high end of our range though we confess we know not the origination of this number, only that it has been used in recent years. We do know how the number of an estimated 85 deaths originated – not from a count of bodies, but the estimate of a circus official made within a short time after the crash, based on a “roll-call” he made. He estimated that based on non-responses that 85 people “probably” died. It was thought at the time that several people were totally consumed by the flames, and thus no trace was left.

**Haine: Haine writes in the title to this accident that there were 85 dead. Within the following section he writes that there were 62 bodies taken to morgues, but that the general manager of the circus thought that 85 had been killed, based on his roll call of circus personnel.

Narrative Information

Cornell: “The Hagenbeck-Wallace circus left Michigan City, Indiana, on the night of June 22, bound for Hammond, Indiana, and a show the next day. The circus train consisted of fourteen flatcars carrying tents, poles, and other circus paraphernalia, seven special animal cars, and four sleepers. The old-fashioned wooden Pullman cars carried such stars as equestrienne Rose Borland, strong man Hercules Navarro, and clown Joe Coyle, plus hundreds of other showgirls, roustabouts, and acrobats.

“As the train approached little Ivanhoe Indiana, the engineer stopped the train to check an overheated brake box. Flagmen Ernest Trimm jumped from the caboose and lit emergency flares several hundred yards back down the track. Trimm had little concern over an accident, for it was a clear night, automatic signals had been set farther down the track, and no other train was due over the line for at least an hour.

“In Michigan City, however, an empty troop train pulled from the station early and headed west. The train went through a series of three yellow caution signals without even slowing; then less that half a mile before reaching the stalled circus cars, the troop train ran through a flashing red signal. The unbelieving flagman, Trimm, frantically waved his lantern at the train bearing down on him. At the last moment he threw the lantern through the window of the locomotive as it rushed by him to slam into the rear of the circus train. The collision shattered the wooden carriages, and broken gas lamps set the wreckage afire. Rose Borland was killed immediately, as were Joe Coyle and his family, Rooney’s Bareback Riders, the famous Meyers animal trainers, and the Cottrell Family Horsemen; in all, 68 performers and circus workers died. Scores of others were injured seriously, including strong man Navarro, who would be permanently paralyzed. Many of the animals would be killed either by the crash or later by police officials disposing of the crippled and maimed creatures.

“The engineer of the troop train, Alonzo Sargent, admitted he had taken some ‘kidney pills’ before leaving the Michigan City station. The supposedly mild narcotic painkiller had proven so effective Sargent had slept through all the warning signals and did not wake until his locomotive struck the rear of the circus train.” (Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). 1982, pp. 436-437.)

Haine: “Tragedy struck a circus train at dawn on 22 June 1918 as it was hit in the rear by an empty equipment train near Gary, Indiana on the Michigan Central Railroad. The Wallace-Hagenbeck circus train, with fifteen flat cars, four sleepers, five stock cars, and a caboose, was attempting to pull off onto a railroad siding when it stalled because of a hot box; the train was partly on the siding and partly on the main-line tracks….

“Although the train occurred five miles west of Gary, Due to the severing of the nearby telegraph wires, the first rescue assistance came from Hammond in the form of two fire companies. Attempts to put out the conflagration were fruitless because, in this outlying area, no water was available….Nearly all the circus personnel were crushed to death in their sleep….Other victims no doubt were suffocated or burned into extinction….

“Hours after the crash, charred-black bodies were being recovered as the derricks of wrecking crews thinned out the pile of debris. Twenty-nine dead, all but 1 burned beyond recognition, were placed in Gary’s undertaking establishments, while 23 were sent to Hammond. On the evening of 22 June 1918, 61 persons were known into to have been killed, and 179 were in Gary and Hammond hospitals.

“Wild rumors that several lions had escaped into the woods from the circus train caused local residents to take careful precautions. Circus authorities disclosed, however, that no animals of any kind were on this train.

“Early on 22 June police started searching for Alonzo K. Sargent, engineer of the train that collided with the circus train, plus his fireman, Emil Klauss. It was learned that both men had survived the crash but had left the scene. Sargent and Klauss were later apprehended and arrested at the request of the coroner of Lake County, Indiana; the men were held in jail pending an inquest scheduled in Hammond for 24 June.

“On 23 June 1918 62 bodies of circus employees lay in temporary morgues at Gary and Hammond, only 24 of whom were identified. Later on this date Edward M. Ballard, general manager of the circus, issued a statement that probably 85 persons had been killed – his roll call of circus personnel indicted that 60 persons were missing in addition to the 24 identified dead….

“Engineer Alonzo Sargent admitted he was asleep just before the collision. He claimed he had been drugged by some unknown assailant. The allegation precipitated an effort by federal agents to track down a possible ‘German spy’; this somewhat wild theory was never substantiated. At the close of the inquest Acting Coroner Green of Lake Country ordered the arrest of Sargent and Klauss on the charge of murder whereupon they were again lodged in the Hammond jail. “On 25 June 1918 the bodies of 53 circus performers were brought to Chicago by a committee of the Showmen’s League of America; on 26 June interment took place at Woodlawn Cemetery. Also on 25 June Sargent and Klauss were remanded to a grand jury on charges of involuntary manslaughter based on affidavits presented by Acting Coroner H. O. Green in the Lake County Superior Court. Bond was fixed at $3,000 for Sargent and $5,000 for Klauss….” (Haine, Edgar A. Railroad Wrecks. New York: Cornwall Books, 1993, pp. 90-91.)

Nash: “One of the great fears of train management and passengers alike is that an engineer might fall asleep at the throttle. This is exactly what happened on the disastrous night of June 22, 1918, at Ivanhoe, Indiana. Alonzo K. Sargent, an engineer for the Michigan Central Railroad, had been overworked. He had been shuttling troop trains across the country from Chicago to New York for three days.

“After leaving a trainload of troops in New York, Sargent was barreling his empty train back to Chicago. Just outside Ivanhoe, Indiana, the second section of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus train (performers and baggage only, the animals already having departed in the first section) was stalled on the tracks.

“Over 300 clowns, acrobats, jugglers, animal trainers, dancers, strongmen, aerialists and roustabouts were sleeping in three-tier bunks on the circus train.

“Red light signals were flashing all along the route for the awaited troop train to come to a stop. But Sargent, who later stated at his trial that he had taken some ‘kidney pills’ for a minor ailment, had fallen asleep, and his engine roared on through the train yard at top speed. His fireman, Gus Klauss, was busy feeding the boiler. When he looked up he saw the rear of the circus train on their track. He threw himself immediately into the coal bin behind the engine.

“Sargent awoke just before the impact. He applied the emergency brakes a moment before the collision. I was startled by a second crash,’ as my big engine ripped through coach after coach of the train ahead. I clung to my post, and then it was all over. ‘I got down from the cab and looked over the scene.

“Klauss jumped down and ran past the dazed and bleeding circus survivors. ‘He was asleep!’ he yelled. ‘The engineer was asleep!’ Fireman Klauss ran, screaming hysterically, into the nearby woods. The survivors of the crash dazedly watched him go, and then staggered back to help others pinned beneath the crushed steel and splintered wooden coaches….

“Still the show went on that night in Hammond with bandaged performers and talented stars who had rushed from other circuses to fill the void created by the tragedy.” (Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours – A Narrative Encyclopedia of Worldwide Disasters…, pp. 279-280.)

Railroad Stories: June 22, 1918. “Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train on Mich. Cent. R.R. rammed in rear by empty troop train at Ivanhoe, Ind.; 68 killed, 127 injured.” (Railroad Stories. “The Month of June in Railroad History,” June 1935, p. 54.)

Shaw: “The most deadly collision to result from the absolute disregard of an automatic block signal at stop is also noteworthy as the most disastrous circus train wreck, one which decimated the Hagenbeck Wallace show, early on the morning of June 22, 1918. Moving over Michigan Central rails toward the next day’s stand at Hammond, Indiana, the second section of the circus train was halted by a hotbox a few feet short of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern crossing at Ivanhoe, Indiana. While other trainmen went to attend to the overheated journal, Flagman Timm moved out promptly to the overheated journal, Flagman Timm moved out promptly to protect the rear of his train. The task seemed routine, for the night was clear, and the line was protected by automatic block signals. But along behind the sleeping circus train came jogging at medium speed an empty troop train. Two miles away it passed a signal at caution without response; about a mile down the line it rolled past a stop signal without reducing speed. Timm swung his lantern violently but still the approaching train came steadily on. As a last resort he flung a lighted fusee into the cab window. It was of no avail. Impelled from behind by its weight of twenty-one steel Pullmans the locomotive plowed into the all-wooden circus train. The flimsy cars crumbled before this impact, and the wreckage was immediately ignited by the kerosene lamps. Sixty-eight persons, including some of the circus’s star performers, perished in the holocaust; twice as many were injured. Twenty bodies were taken from beneath the troop train engine.

“However, the engineer of the troop train, Alonzo K. Sargent, and his fireman, Gustave Klauss, both survived. Bother were arrested and put on trial for manslaughter. Sargent admitted that he had fallen asleep and did not waken until he saw the markers of the preceding train less that 100 feet in front of him. Klauss was a new employee with the Michigan Central, and had been over this line only a few times; he said he knew nothing about the impending accident until he felt the violent impact. Both men were acquitted. Sargent stated at the trial that he had been nearly twenty-four hours without sleep prior to the collision, and that he had eaten heavily just before starting his run. It was also brought out that he had taken some kidney pills which, the doctors testified, created an unavoidable drowsiness.

“In an accident as serious as this an instinctive feeling arises that it must have been avoidable, and that it should therefore be possible to place positive responsibility upon some person. Yet the conduct of Sargent and Klauss comes in a borderline area; it seems careless nut not quite criminal. Of course, automobile accidents resulting from the drowsiness of drivers are commonplace, and no suggestion of criminal prosecution of such drivers is ever made; but standards of responsibility are properly very much higher on the railroad than on the highway. Perhaps Klauss was really more culpable than Sargent; perhaps the jury was a little lenient with both of them, but it was undoubtedly influenced by its knowledge that both of these men had already been punished so severely by their implication in the tragedy that any court-assigned penalty would be purely superfluous.” (Shaw, Robert B. Down Brakes: A History of Railway Accidents, Safety Precautions and Operating Practices in the United States. 1961, pp. 296-297.)

Newspapers

June 22: “Michigan City, June 22, (Special) – From 75 to 200 persons, most of them performers in the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, were killed in a Michigan Central railroad wreck at 3:30 this morning at Gibson yards, east of Hammond, when a special west bound train which left Michigan City at 3 o’clock, crashed into the rear of the second section of the circus, which was enroute from Michigan City to Hammond.

“The circus train was made up of Pullmans and carried the performers of the show. Four of the sleeping cars were demolished and occupants of the berths were killed or injured.

“Early reports received here said that at least 75 persons were dead and that the number would probably reach one hundred. Two hundred was given as the maximum loss….

“The show arrived here yesterday from Dowagiac, Mich., via the Michigan Central, gave two exhibitions and early this morning started on two sections for Hammond, where performances were scheduled for today. At the time of the collision the passengers on the second section, nearly all of them performers, were asleep in berths. They had no warning of the crash. It is said that a hot box on the circus train had caused it to stop and that the Michigan City special, made up of troop cars built at the Haskell-Barker car works in Michigan City, struck it while going at high speed.

“Bodies of the dead were taken to Hammond morgues and the injured were hurried to hospitals at Hammond, Gary and other places.

“The first reports received in this city said that of about 400 persons aboard the circus train, only about 25 had escaped death. Later information reduced the list to from 75 to 100.” (Goshen Daily Democrat, IN. “Many Are Killed in Rail Disaster.” 6-22-1918, p. 1.)

June 22: “One of the most appalling train wrecks ever known in the county took place shortly before dawn this morning at Ivanhoe, on the Michigan Central railroad, three miles east of Hammond.

“An extra west-bound troop train running light, carrying 24 coaches, going at a fearful rate of speed, tore into the rear end of the second section of Hagenbeck-Wallace’s show train and plowed through four tourist Pullman sleepers filled with high salaried circus artists of international renown.

“An estimate that may show still greater death results places the number of dead at 40, dying 30, and 80 wounded.

“Scenes of indescribable horror that beggar all description were enacted before the horror-stricken eyes of those who by a miracle escaped alive from the wrecked sleepers, which were set on fire immediately after the impact by coal embers from the giant Michigan Central engine that lay twisted across the track.

“Performers, men and women, in all cases married couples with their children, were pinned underneath the burning wreckage. They shrieked and screamed for aid….

When help came from Gary and Hammond the four sleepers were a mass of flames….

“In the Pullman coaches the tired employees slept profoundly. They had exhibited last night in Michigan City and got away late. According to the best reports available there were between 275 and 300 people in them. Suddenly bearing down on them, the train flagmen saw the monster Michigan Central engine with its 24 empty troop coaches. It was going at such a high rate of speed that it split through the caboose and five coaches like a man shoves his finger into butter. The sleepers with their human freight were shot up inti the air telescoped, crushed and then horror reigned….” (Lake County Times, Hammond, IN. “46 Dead; 125 Are Injured. Circus Train Smashed by Empty M.C. Troop Special.” 6-22-1918, p. 1.)

June 22: “Chicago, June 22 – Early this afternoon the Michigan Central list, subject to change, showed 59 dead and 115 injured in the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train wreck at East Ivanhoe.” (Associated Press. “59 Dead, 115 Injured on Mich. Cen. List.” Goshen Daily Democrat, IN. 6-22-1918, p. 1.)

June 22: “Chicago, June 22….Manager Gollman of the circus, which exhibited under canvass at Michigan City last night and was on its way to Hammond, Ind., for performances today, estimated that the death list would reach sixty-seven….” (Associated Press. “Circus Manager Estimates Death List at Sixty-Seven.” Goshen Daily Democrat, IN. 6-22-1918, p. 1.)

June 22: Sidebar entitled “Performers Killed in Train Crash.”

Rooney Family, bareback riders.
Meyers Family, animal trainers.
Cottrell, bareback.
Art Darick, strong man.
Donovan Family, elephant trainers.
Robert Ellis and wife, aerialists.
Mrs. Jennie Codd, performer.
Joseph Coyle, clown.
Mrs. Joseph Coyle and two children.

(Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Wreck Wipes Out Circus; 69 Dead, 115 Injured.” 6-22-1918, p.1.)

June 22: “Gary, Ind., June 22. – The known death list in the collision between an equipment train and a Wallace-Hagenbeck Circus train was increased tonight to sixty with the recovery of eight additional bodies and the death of one of the circus troupe at a Gary hospital….

The Identified Dead.

“The revised list of the dead and injured follows:

Berry, Earl Michael, Schenectady, N.Y.
Conners, Mrs. Veronica.
Coyle, Mrs. Joseph and two sons, Cincinnati.
Cottrell, Miss Louise, London, England.
Collins, John, New Haven, Conn.
Cattanack, Mr. and Mrs. D., Chicago.
Derrick, Arthur, Erickton, Md.
Derrick, Joseph.
Derrick, Max.
Jewell, Miss.
Ledgett, Fred.
McCree, Mrs. Hattie, Toledo.
Miller, Henry.
Powell, Miss Louise.
Roseland, Rose.
Rooney, John.
Todd, Mrs. Jennie, Bloomington, Ill.
Whipple, Fred, Michigan City, Michigan.

“….The injured here included twenty four at Mercy Hospital, twenty six at the Gary General Hospital, forty five at the Steel Corporation hospital and four at San Antonio Hospital. The number in injured at Hammond total 25, according to reports early tonight….” (Jacksonville Daily Journal, IL. “Sixty Lives Lost in Railroad Wreck.” 6-23-1918, p. 1.)

June 23: “Gary, Ind., June 23. – Sixty-two bodies of Hagenback-Wallace circus employes who were killed in the wreck six miles west of here on the Michigan Central railroad early Saturday lay in temporary morgues here and at Hammond, Ind., tonight, while circus officers endeavored to compile an accurate list of dead and injured. Only 24 of the bodies had been identified. Most of the others were charred and mangled beyond recognition.

“Edward M. Ballard, general manager of the circus, tonight issued a statement saying figures compiled indicated that probably 85 persons had been killed. He said a hasty tabulation of scattered employes showed that 60 are missing in addition to the 24 identified dead. Most of the missing were said to be ‘razorbacks,’ many of them negroes. F. S. Whipple, railroad train-master, also has been given up as dead.

Parts of Bodies Cremated.

“Parts of two bodies cremated in the furnace of tangled steel and timbers which was the circus train were dug out tonight. The authorities said that if the dead list is as great as estimated by circus men, the additional bodies probably were reduced to ashes. ….” (Norwich Bulletin, CT. “85 Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Employes Killed.” 6-24-1918, p. 1.

June 24: “Gary, Ind., June 24. – Coroner Green of Lake county, investigating the wreck of the circus train at Ivanhoe, in which 85 persons are believed killed, was advised that Alonzo H. Sergent, engineer, and Gustave Klause, fireman of the empty troop train which crashed into the circus special would fight extradition from Michigan. Both are in Kalamazoo, where Sergent was arrested and where Klause fled after his release on a writ of habeas corpus from the jail in Michigan City, late Saturday. These men are regarded as the most important witnesses to be called in the inquest to be held today to fix the blame for the disaster.

Eighty-Five Killed in Wreck.

“The inquest to determine the cause of the crushing of a Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train by a Michigan Central engine will be opened today in Hammond by Acting Coroner Henry C. Green.

“Latest figures indicate 85 persons may have died in the wreck. That number includes 24 identified dead and 39 unidentified dead.

“After a careful check of all departments the circus management announced 61 working people were missing and believed to have perished in the crash and the fire that followed.

“In addition to the circus list of Missing, Fred S. Whipple of Michigan City, division trainmaster of the railroad, is unaccounted for. He is believed to have been a passenger in the circus.

(Daily Free Press, Carbondale, IL. “Start Inquiry into Wreck of Circus Train. Death List Grows to Eighty-Five – Twenty-Four Victims Identified.” 6-24-1918, p.1.)

June 25: “….Alonzo Sargent, the ‘dozing’ engineer of the deadhead equipment train that snuffed out fifty-eight lives when it split asunder four crowded coaches of the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train Saturday morning…refused to testify at the coroner’s inquest. He acted upon the advice of Attorney Charles McFadden of the Michigan Central railroad….” (Lake County Times, Hammond, IN. “Sargent Refuses to Talk.” 6-25-1918, p. 1.)

June 26: “Hammond, Ind., June 26. – Alonzo J. Sargent, engineer of the empty troop train that brought death to at least fifty-eight persons in Hagenbeck-Wallace circus coaches Saturday morning at Ivanhoe tower, was held incommunicado in the Hammond jail last night on orders from Deputy Coroner Green. Gustave Klaus, his fireman, was also held.

“This action was taken when the Lake County inquest broke up in disorder after Conductor Lewis Johnson had testified that Sargent had admitted to him that he was asleep at the throttle when his engine smashed through the circus train.

“The inquest was adjourned indefinitely to permit the authorities to subpoena more witnesses and gather additional evidence following the conductor’s sensational disclosure. ‘The only way the accident could have happened,’ he testified, ‘was for the engineer to be either dead or asleep at the throttle I knew he was not dead, and he told me he was asleep.’ ‘When did you talk to Sargent last before the accident?’ was the coroner’s first question when Johnson took the stand. ‘Before leaving Michigan City, 2:30 o’clock Saturday morning,’ said the witness. ‘Did he seem conscious of what he was doing at the time?’ ‘Yes sir, he did.’ ‘Was either the engineer or fireman in any of the coaches at the time of the accident?’ ‘No sir, absolutely not.’ ‘Tell us what Sargent said when you talked to him after the wreck.’ ‘I walked up to him and said. ‘This is quite a mess. What was it happened, Sargent?’ ‘I was dozing – I must have been dozing,’ he told me.’” (Daily Gazette, Sterling, IL. “Engineer Is Jailed For Circus Wreck.” 6-26-1918, p. 8.)

June 27: “York, Pa., June 27. – Among the victims of the disaster which occurred to the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, in Indiana last Saturday were John H. Henry, son of Mrs. Emma Henry, this city, and Henry’s wife, one of the performers. Mr. Henry was superintendent of traffic and transportation of the shows and had been connected with various shows from boyhood.

“Henry’s body was incinerated and no trace of it could be found. His wife died in a hospital at Hammond, Ind. Henry was 32. He and his wife were known in the circus world as Mr. and Mrs. James O’Connor.” (Philadelphia Inquirer. “Yorkers Killed In Wreck.” 6-28-1918, p. 2.)

June 27: “Hammond, Ind., June 27 – Alonzo Sargent, engineer on the Michigan Central equipment train which last Saturday crashed into the rear end of a Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train today was held to the grand jury on the charge of involuntary manslaughter on affidavits presented by Acting Coroner H. C. Green in the Lake County Superior Court. Gustave Klauss, Sargent’s fireman, also was held, charged with involuntary manslaughter. Bond was fixed at $8,000 for Sargent and $5,000 for the fireman.

“The unidentified bodies of 47 victims of the wreck were buried in one grave today with ceremonies under the auspices of the Showmen’s League of America. A Roman Catholic priest and a Protestant clergyman officiated jointly at the services. Several hundred showmen attended. The funerals of six identified victims also were held today. Latest estimates fix the number of dead at 78.” (Weekly Democrat, Brazil, IN. [Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Train] 7-3-1918, p. 4.)

July 5: “Making a gallant but fruitless fight for life George Donahue, forty-two years old, a resident of Indianapolis for many years and a professional acrobat who was widely known in circus and show circles, died yesterday at Hammond of injuries received in the wreck near Gary on June 22, when a train of empty troop cars crashed into the coaches of a train of the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus. Donahue’s back was broken. He was taken to St. Margaret’s hospital at Hammond, where he remained until his death. The body was taken to the home of Dan Donahue, 1256 West Washington street, in Indianapolis, a brother. Funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock.

“Donahue and his brother were well known in Indianapolis twenty-five years ago when they took part in many entertainments given here. Both became members of circus troops and traveled extensively. George Donahue had been with the Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey, John Robinson and Hagenbeck-Wallace circuses. Besides the brother here he is survived by three sisters, Mrs. John Crab and Mrs. Mary O’Donnell, of Indianapolis, and Mrs. Irene Melers, of Racine, Wis., and another brother, John Donahue of Cleveland.

“This brings the known dead to 63.” (Lake County Times, IN. “Donnahue Dies in Hammond.” 7-5-1918, p. 1.)

July 5: “John Nelson, a victim of the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train wreck at Ivanhoe, June 22, whose back was broken, died at Mercy hospital Gary early this morning. Nelson was a performer doing an aerial act with the circus. He was forty-years old and gave his home as Joliet, Ill. This makes the sixty-second death from the wreck. He made a gallant fight for life but it was seen last week that the unfortunate man’s case was hopeless.” (Lake County Times, Hammond, IN. “Another Wreck Victim.” 7-5-1918, p. 1.)

July 6: “Gary, Ind., July 6. – John Nelson, Joliet, a circus employe, whose back was broken in the recent Wallace-Hagenback wreck near here, died yesterday, bringing the total list of dead to 65.”
(Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Circus In Wreck.” 7-6-1918, p. 1.)

July 10: “Engineer Alonzo Sargent was asleep at the throttle when his locomotive tore into the Wallace-Hagenbeck circus train and caused the known less of 62 lives on the Michigan Central railroad at Ivanhoe, Ind. This statement was made at the inquest in Hammond by Charles J. McFadden, counsel for the railroad company.” (Jasonville Leader, IN. “Most Important News of World…Domestic.” 7-10-1918, p. 2.)

July 11: “Hammond. – Exoneration of all connected with the operation of the trains in the Ivanhoe circus train wreck with the exception of Engineer Alonzo Sargent of the deadhead equipment special, who slept at the throttle, resulted when the Interstate commerce commission and the public service commission of Indiana conducted a joint hearing behind closed doors in the courthouse at Hammond. Only commissioners and the attorneys for the Michigan Central railroad were permitted to attend the investigation….” (Kirklin Journal, IN. “Indiana News Tersely Told.” 7-11-1918, p. 7.)

July 13: “Philip Sillinger of 1207½ Seventh street has received an official communication from Charles A. Gollman, manager of the Hackenbeck-Wallace circus, stating that his two sons, Bernard and Joseph, both connected with the circus, were killed in the train wreck of June 22. The letter explains that the body of Joseph was found among the ruins and identified. The body of the other son has not been recovered….” (Altoona Mirror, PA. “Sons Among Dead.” 7-13-1918, 7.)

Known Deaths

1. Barnett, Victoria McDhu. MI. Equestrienne. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
2. Barnett, Virgil, husband of Victoria. Bucking horse rider. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
3. Barnum, Mr. Eight-horse driver. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
4. Borland, Miss Rose. Equestrienne. Cornell 1982, pp. 436-437, and Holbrook 1947, p. 285.
5. Brown, Mrs. George. (died here {Gary}) (Defiance Crescent-News, OH. 6-24-1918, p.1)
6. Cattanach, Bessie, wife of Zeb. Aerialist. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
7. Cattanach, Zeb. Chicago. Superintendent of lights. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
8. Connor, James, superintendent of baggage. (Defiance Crescent-News, OH. 6-24-1918, p.1)
9. Connor, Verna, wife of James. Wild West rider. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
10. Cottrell, Louise. London, England. Bareback rider. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
11. Coyle, Mr. Joseph. Clown. (Cornell. The Great International Disaster Book (3rd Ed.). 1982, 437.)
12. Coyle, Mrs. Joseph, Cincinnati. Wife of Joseph. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
13. Coyle, Charles, son of Louise. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
14. Coyle, Joseph, Jr. son of Louise. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
15. Dericks, Arthur, Erietown, MD. Strongman. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
16. Dericks, Joseph, brother of Arthur. Strongman. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
17. Devoe (or Dever), Eddie, NY City. Clown. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
18. Donahue, George, 42, Indianapolis, died in hospital, broken back, July 4.
19. Freehand (Ferehand?), Max. Dericks’ strongman team. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
20. Henry, John J., superintendent of traffic and transportation of the shows. Dead.]
21. Henry, Mrs. Died (Philadelphia Inquirer. “Yorkers Killed In Wreck.” 6-28-1918, p2.)
22. Hodgins, Hattie. (Jefferson City Democrat Tribune, MO. “The Circus Blare Goes On.” 7-9-1918, p1.)
23. Jessup, Leroy, Toledo, OH. Ticket seller. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
24. Jewell, Willie (Millie?). Washington, DC. Animal trainer. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
25. Martin, Frank (died here {Gary}) (Defiance Crescent-News, OH. 6-24-1918, p.1.)
26. McCree, Rene. Jefferson City Democrat Tribune, MO. “The Circus Blare Goes On.” 7-9-1918, 1.
27. McDhu, MI. Equestrienne. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
28. Michhelberry, Earl. Schenectady, NY. Driver. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
29. Miller, Henry. Animal trainer. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
30. Nelson, John. Joliet, IL. Aerialist. Died in hospital July 5. (Lake County Times. 7-5-1918, 1.)
Powell, Louise. (Referred to as sister of Bobbie Cottrell.)
31. Sillinger, Joseph (body found in wreckage). Altoona Mirror, PA. “Sons Among Dead.” 7-13-1918, 7.
32. Sillinger, Bernard, brother of Joseph, body not recovered.
33. Todd, Mrs. Jennie Ward, Bloomington, IL. Aerial artist. (Daily Free Press, Decatur, IL. 6-24-1918.)
34. Ward, Eddie. Aerialist. (Jefferson City Democrat Tribune, MO. “The Circus Blare Goes On.” 7-9-1918, p1.)

Sources

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