Alger County Republican (Rock River, Mich.)

Source: The Alger County Republican Rock River, Alger County Mi. June 20, 1891 Saturday Fearful Wreck on The DSS and A at L'Anse A special from Marquette says: A frightful train wreck occurred Thursday on the L'Anse grade of the DSS and A. The brakes of a freaight train going west failed to work and the train plunged down the steep grade, over a mile in length, jumpted the track at the curve in front of the L"Anse station and tore through the station buildings. The occupants of the latter had been warned by the shrieking whistle and the roar of the madly rushing tain and sought safety in flight. Brave engineer Con Harrington, a resident of Marquette, stood at his post and when his engine leaped the track and tore its way through the station he was till at the throttle. He was drawn unconscious from the wreck, his right leg broken and his right arm almost torn from its socket. His recovery is very doubtful. A special train took his wife from Marquette to her husb and 's bedside. Marvelously the other trainmen escaped with a few bruises. Twelve cars were piled in a heap and demolished. One was loaded with horses and the shrieks of the injured animals added to the terror of the scene. Some were killed and others had to be shot to put them out of their misery. Latter details say that the conductor and brakemen escaped by cutting off the caboose from the train. The ffireman ran back over the train and dropped off the last car. The total damage is estimated at $50,000. The engine and the 12 cars are a total wreck. The station is smashed to atoms and a carload of horses and cattle were killed or so badly injured that they had to be shot. The speed of the train is estimated to have reached over 85 miles per hour. DSS and A Stations - L'Anse