October 29th, 1886

Telegram: Received 29th October 1886

Petter Brothers, Basingstoke

Your father telegraphs from Chicago in train last night escaped without slight injury cash saved all baggage burnt send Saturday mail Post Offices Chicago.

Note

"Another train disaster that made the headlines occurred near East Rio in the early hours of October 28, 1886. The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul's limited train, rushing along at the rate of 40 miles an hour, hit an open switch. The train telescoped and the day coach burst into flames. Those in the sleeper escaped. The death toll has been variously estimated at from 11 to 17. The coroner's jury found that 'said switch was left open by the negligence of C. H. Wells, an employee of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway Company.'" http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=10470&term_type_id=3&term_type_text=things&letter=R Retrieved 13th November 2012.

<<< Previous | Top of page | Next >>>