Et cetera : Terrible Wreck! (An 1899 Story from our past)

In honor of our sesquicentennial celebration, Vinton Unlimited and the Sesquicentennial Committee are sharing an 1899 story from the past that was published in our newspaper.  For additional information, please contact Melissa Schwan, phone 319-472-3955 or email: melissa@vintonia.com 

Passenger Train No. 5 Ditched Between Washburn and Waterloo.

EIGHT PERSONS KILLED AND SIXTEEN INJURED

The Heavy Pullman Sleepers Telescope and Smash the Other Coaches into an Almost Indescribable Mass - ~R. K. Odell, of Waterloo Saws W. E. Schollian’s Left Arm Off.

In 2019 the community of Vinton, Iowa will be celebrating 150 years. In honor of our sesquicentennial celebration, Vinton Unlimited and the Sesquicentennial Committee are sharing an 1899 story from the past that was published in our newspaper.

This preview of the story entitled, “Terrible Wreck!” tells the devastating tale of a train wreck resulting in limb-losing injuries and death.

We hope you enjoy this story from the past, and that you will join us in August to celebrate Vinton’s colorful history and bright future!

The Vinton Eagle, Tuesday, May 30, 1899 – The worst wreck in the history of the railroads in this section of Iowa occurred about 1:30 o’clock this morning on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern railway about four miles southeast of Waterloo.

The cause of the wreck was the washing away of the foundation beneath the railway tracks by a flood caused by a cloudburst.

The alarm reached town about an hour after the wreck occurred, being brought to Waterloo by S. E. Bentley, of this city, and Wm Mcleish is a merchant of that place, who was coming to Waterloo to spend Sunday. Both men have thrilling stories to relate and the story of their getting the news to Waterloo is one of interest. At the time of the accident rain was falling in torrents. After the crash came both men found themselves uninjured and managed to escape from their car which was demolished, and commenced to assist others to escape from their prisons. After everything possible had been done…To read the full story, visit www.Vinton150.org.