>>Throwback Thursday!<< Looking back in time, we inevitably run into the topic of railroad as it so greatly impacted the development of the village of Manhattan. Under the looking glass today, an increasing number of railroad crossing accidents in the 1920s, precipitated by the growing popularity of automobile traffic, and not helped by the lacking safety systems. In 1925 the local newspaper, in an article titled “Don’t Blame The Editor,” was able to still boast about the shortage of ‘horrible, startling, scandalous or hair-raising’ news including any tragic accidents at the Wabash crossings, and reprimanded the reader to be glad that such occurrences had yet not taken place in this vicinity. But as years passed, so increased the number of incidents. Below, read how the village and the railway responded to the growing need for better safety.
#manhattanillinois #throwbackthursday
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Manhattan American, June 26, 1924.
Manhattan American, January 15, 1925.
Manhattan American, May 12, 1925.
Manhattan American, May 21, 1925.
Manhattan American, June 23, 1927.
Manhattan American, October 13, 1927.
Manhattan American, March 1, 1928.
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Manhattan American, March 17, 1927.
Two Automobile Accidents At Wabash Crossing Are Creating Much Gossip.
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Crossing Is Unprotected.
Last Sunday night at about nine thirty o’clock, four Chicagoans motoring in a Dodge Sedan, were all in someway or another, when the car in which they were riding was struck by a southbound Wabash freight engine, as they were about to cross the tracks, headed north open State Route 44 [Rt. 52] which crosses said tracks at this point.
Their names, residents [sic] and injuries are as follows: Frank Kopocnik, West Twenty-second street, Chicago, right leg fractured, bruises about the head and body; John Stayer, West Twenty-second, Chicago, rib fractured, body bruises; Anthony Wencel, president of the Wencel Dairy company, West Twenty-second street, Chicago, face cut by flying glass, no serious injuries; and Nathan Gottert, 2046 West Twenty-third street, Chicago, bruised and cut about the face and body, injuries not serious.
The engine had been disconnected from a string of freight cars just north of the (north crossing) so as to not block either crossing while taking water and coal when it struck the automobile. It is said that these people were inspecting the highway (route 44) where the above mentioned firm receives a supply of milk daily.
Kopocnik and Stayer, the more seriously injured, were taken to St. Joseph’s hospital, Joliet, where they were examined by Dr.George Brannon of this place. On examination, Dr. Brannon found that Kopocnik’s right leg had been fractured, and that Stayer had suffered a fractured rib. The others were released after their cuts had been treated. The automobile was damaged considerably, but can be fixed up at an expenditure.
ANOTHER SIMILAR ACCIDENT
Two women riding in a Marmon Sedan, suffered minor injuries when they struck a stalled train on the Wabash crossing over route 44 also at this place, at about seven o’clock Monday night.
Mrs. Walter Wilkerson, owner of the large car, was badly cut about the face and neck, and her companion, Miss Mary R. Riley, suffered a few minor cuts and bruises. Both women are residents of Indianapolis, Indiana, and were motoring to Kankakee. The southbound Wabash freight train was being loaded with coal and water and was stalled at the crossing.
The women were taken to Evans hotel immediately, where they were administered treatment by Dr. George Brannon. Later they were taken on to Kankakee.
The damage done to this car was considerable, due to the fact that it stalled after the accident and the train started, struck it several times before it could be removed from the track.
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Several reports have been made regarding the present bell system, which is not sufficiently satisfactory since the relaying on the heavier type rails last fall. This system of ringing is caused by a sudden vibration within a certain space of trackage. The heavier rails that are now set in more solid bed, sometimes is the reason for the bells not ringing as a warning signal. But never-the-less what we should have placed at these crossings is a flagman, in addition to the bells, and furthermore this arrangement should have been made several years ago.
These crossings are not only unprotected, but have a very badly [sic] lighting system. It is said that this matter is to be taken up with the proper authorities immediately, and we hope that quick action is made in response.
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Previous to these 1927 back-to-back accidents at the crossing, a few other notable incidents had taken place here. To name a few, on June 26, 1924 the Manhattan American wrote the following: “Train Hits Rear Fender. Mr. Edw. Mueller while crossing the Wabash tracks last Saturday evening was very much surprised, when a train which was switching about the local yards struck his rear fender. Nobody being hurt.”
In January of 1925, the paper makes the following mention: “Automobile Hit By Train. Elmer Rovenhagen, while driving across the Wabash north crossing in a Ford Coupe, Wednesday afternoon was accidentally hit by a train which was switching about the local yards. The front end of his car was damaged to the extent of $75.00. Elmer fortunately was not injured.”
Also, later in 1927, another accident report was made. On October 13, 1927 the Manhattan American wrote the following: “Narrowly Escapes Death. Mr. Thos. Walsh, narrowly escaped death, when he attempted to cross the Wabash Railway north crossing here Tuesday night, about 9:15 o’clock, and drove right in front of No. 64, a northbound trough freight train and was carried with his car as far as the north switch. His car was completely demolished, and he was only slightly injured.”
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Jumping back to spring and summer of 1927, the representatives of the Wabash Railway Company were here to look over the bell system at the crossings. Furthermore, as the dissatisfaction with safety continued, the Village began discussing ways to better the situation. It was reported that the Village board decided to set up a meeting with Mr. J. E. Stumpf, Superintendent Wabash Railway Company, in order to discuss the topic.
It was the following spring when the newspaper reported improvements.
Manhattan American, March 1, 1928.
MAKING DANGEROUS CROSSING MORE SAFER [sic]
The Wabash Railway Company has installed a set of new signal towers at the two main crossings in Manhattan. These signals are operated by electricity, the same as the old system did. There is a tower on each side of the crossing, in clear view of the motorist, and has six lights, four down the center and one on each side. The four in the center, each have a large letter painted on, so the letters spell “Stop.” The two side lights are made to flash, so one light is lit all the time, while the train is in the circuit. As the train comes nearer, the lights in the center flash on and stay on, until the train has passed. These said crossings are dangerous because there are buildings that cut off the view of the motorists.
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