Utica Herald Dispatch, April 15. 1907
LANDSLIDE THE CAUSE
Bad Accident on the Rome Division of the R., W. & O. Road- Injured Engineer Walked Two Miles to Secure Assistance- fireman Hartford Lost His Life -To-day's Temporary Arrangement.
Special to the Herald Dispatch
Rome. April 15.-The giving way of the raodbed on the R. W. A O. between Hunsston and Blossvale late last night caused a bad wrack there about 3 a.m. to-day. The scene of the wreck is that of a reverse curve, about two miles east of Blossvsale, where the roadbed run on a high embankment. On the south aide, about 100 feet below, is Fish Creek. The north side of tbe embankment ia about 25 feet and at the foot of it is the highway. Frost and recent rains caused the roadbed to go out.
Freight No. 22, northbound, left here about 11 p. m. It waa drawn by engines 1724 and 1848 and was composed of about ?? ears. The engineer of the first engine was Walter Dearing of Watertown. with Fireman Loon Joyce of Canton. J. H. Lausch of Watertown was running the second engine, wttb Fireman Hartford of Massena Springs. The train was In charge of Conductor Barnes of Watertown. When it reached the spot where the accident occurred the two engines toppled over and rolled down a 100-foot embankment to within about 25 feet of Fish Creek. They went bottom side up, where they remain, badly broken. Fifteen cars followed the engines, but did not go down the embankment so far.
Fireman Joyce was thrown into a tree near the creek and received cuts and bruises to his head and arms. He was brought to Rome by dr. T.J. Nock on a caboose and taken to the Rome Hospital. Both engineers were thrown from their engines but escaped with slight injuries and went to their homes. The wrecked cars were loaded with general merchandise, which was thrown in every direction.
About 200 feet of track was torn up and the rails were Twisted in all shapes. The railroad company is building a siding to the north side of the track for temporary use.
The work trains from Utica and Richland were summoned and while the work Of cleaning up this morning an Italian member of the wrecking crew from Richland had his right leg badly fractured below the knee by a rail falling on it. He was brought to the Rome Hospital at 9 o'clock. An attempt will be made to save the leg, but it is feared it will have to be amputated.
Fireman Hubbard of Massena springs could not be found after the accident and it was concluded that he was somewhere in the wreckage. His body it is believed to be under the engines on the bank of Fish Creek and while a general search is being made for him it is thought that he will not be recovered before tomorrow.
Engineer Deering was compelled to walk to the station at Blossvale, a distance of about two miles, to give the news of the accident and secure help.