Flyer in Collision

A serious accident occurred on the Fitchburg division of the B. and M. between Fitzwilliam and State Line, Wednesday at about 1:30.

Three cars of a local working train two empty box and one flat, the latter loaded with granite dust, broke loose at Fitzwilliam and despite all efforts to recapture them, or to warn the approaching “Flyer,” the two trains came together just south of the “third-crossing” on what is known as the long curve. The box cars were completely demolished, the flat car wrecked, and the engine of the “Flyer” derailed and turned upon it’s side. Engineer Frank Hughes, of the “Flyer,” was completely buried under a mass of wreckage and when finally removed some two hours later, he was found to be so seriously wounded that he was taken to the City Hospital in Keene, where he died about 9 o’clock.

His heroism in sticking to his post of duty, and doing all in his power to stop his train without doubt saved great loss of life. His fireman escaped without serious injury, and the passengers of the “Flyer,” aside from a vigorous shaking up, were unharmed. There was no one upon the wild cars.

At the point of collision there is a sharp curve of 3 ½ degrees, 84 rails in length with 30 feet to the rail, and with a descending grade of 59 feet to the rail. High rocky banks enclosed the wreck on both sides. Traffic was delayed several hours, passengers being obliged to transfer around the wreck until about 4 o’clock in the morning when the track was cleared.

Engineer Hughes lived in Fitchburg, and leaves a wife and two children. He had been a faithful servant of the road for 13 years and the highest praise is heard of his conduct at all times during his long period of service. Many townspeople visited the scene of the wreck, Wednesday afternoon and evening.

From The Monadnock Breeze

Aug. 28, 1900