December 7th 1906 One of the Greatest Train Wrecks in Maine Central History

This photograph was one of six taken by the Lewiston Journal special photographer Preston Smith.  He had only six minutes to make his exposures before catching the next train back to Lewiston.  He covered the wreck from all points.  (Courtesy of the Monmouth Museum).

 

Four Dead Three Injured

Terrible Train Wreck Near Monmouth – Lewiston Man Among the Dead

Two Freights Crash Together

In Darkness of the Night

Trainmen Pinned Beneath Debris

-Those Who Escaped Power-

less to Help the Dying.

 

v v v v v v v v v v

THE DEAD

• Forest Fletcher, South Portland, engineer of regular train.  Leaves widow.    
• A.R. Harriman, Portland, engineer of extra train.
• S. H. Hodges, Portland, fireman of extra train.
• A.E. Lowe, Lewiston, brakeman of regular train.

THE INJURED 

• Charles F. Freeman, Portland, fireman of regular train, sustained compound fracture of the arm which will probably be amputated.   
• Thomas Harmon, Portland, brakeman, cut about the head and neck scalded.                               
• Benjamin Franklin, Portland, slightly injured.

Monmouth, Me., Dec. 7 (Special). – Two freight trains bowling along at full speed on the mainline between Lewiston and Waterville met with all the impact a thousand ton a piece here on Thursday night and the wreck, the confusion and the loss of life and property surpass any record in previous years in the history of freight train collisions in Maine.

It happened at midnight, extreme darkness all around.  The regular at a full head of steam was making its way upgrade into Monmouth just as the special came rushing down the hill and the first that either of the engineers knew was he saw the flashing headlight of the other locomotive coming on with doubled speed as the special rounded the curve.  There was a brief moment of dazed surprise and then came the terrific impact.  Into that one brief instant, however, was crowded an example of a quick and unselfish heroism.  With the bright light of the special into his eyes and as his hands worked swift instinct at the levers, Engineer Fletcher’s first thought was of his cab mate.

“Jump, Charley,” he cried.

Freeman obeyed on the instant, and although he doesn't understand how he cleared the engine before the trains met. 

Immediately behind the engine of the regular train was a car loaded with lumber, Freeman had scarcely landed in his summersault through space before the lumber of this car came rattling around him, burying him beneath the debris.  Stunned for a moment but spurred on by the excruciating pain of the oppressing planks and steam which had already begun to penetrate to him from the wrecked engine, he worked frantically to save himself from being steamed to death.  One arm was crushed and mangled the entire length, but with the strength of desperation, he worked himself clear and rolled out of the way of the torturing steam.

The first medical assistance came from the neighboring town of Monmouth.  One of the brakemen, who escaped after a quick review of the situation, ran along the track to the town and hasten to the house of Dr. H. M. Blake aroused him from his bed.  Dr. Randlette of the same town was also aroused and the physicians with the brakeman found a handcar at the village station and pumping this at top speed, raced back for the rescue work.

The Monmouth Center Railroad Station and 

Freight Shed in the early 1900s.

(Courtesy of the Penobscot Marine Museum 

      Eastern Collection Glass Negative 

LB2007.1.112650)

An ambulance train was from Portland with one doctor aboard as soon as the extent of the accident was learned and a wreaking train with three physicians was dispatched from Waterville.

In the indescribable confusion of the piled-up wreckage, deep beneath which were the men, the work of rescue proceeded slowly. 

Fireman Hodges of the special was wedged so tightly between the engine and the tender that it was impossible to remove him.  It is hoped that his wounds rendered him unconscious at the first impact, for the live coals of his machine slowly roasted his head to a crisp.

Engineer Harriman was also pinned down where it was hard to reach him.  He bore his sufferings with great fortitude but lingering for four hours.  

All the bodies were brought to Lewiston and will be forwarded to Portland.  Coroner Henry Plummer of Augusta arrived during the day and began an investigation.

Brakeman Lowe was 25 years old, married and had one daughter in this city.  He was the son of Fred Lowe of North Paris.  

I. E. Lowe of Lewiston and his wife.

(Lewiston Evening Journal December 7, 1906)

To be continued...

The Beginning

This blog is historical in nature.  The Monmouth Museum, Inc. is now in its 50th year.  In some ways, it is hard to believe.  Earle Flanders first opened the Museum with one building the Blacksmith Shop.  When I was about 7 or 8 years of age I remember going to the Blacksmith Shop to get grain, with my father.  At that time it was known as Rollins Feed Store.  I can still smell the feed.  Horse feed smelled of molasses, chicken feed smelled of cornmeal and all the feed bags were of burlap. That of course was before Earle had his vision of starting a museum to preserve Monmouth history.   The Museum turned into a Museum complex in just three short years with the addition of 6 more buildings.  Earle added the Blossom House, the Stencil Shop, the Carriage House, the Freight Shed, the Country Store, and the Cobbler Shop.  

         I remember when I was in 8th grade Earle came to my class at the Henry L. Cottrell School.  Mr. Ludewig was my homeroom teacher at the time.  I was fascinated by the stories Earle told about Monmouth history.  I remember him showing a copper-plated engraving plate of Dr. Charles M. Cumston.  It had been found by Wendell Hartford down behind the Cumston homestead on a stone wall.  It was one of a number of copper plates that were used to illustrated Harry H. Cochrane's History of Monmouth and Wales.  I was hooked on Monmouth History.  The next summer (1974) I was working for Earle at the Monmouth Museum giving tours.  I followed Earle each time he gave a tour so that I eventually began giving tours on my own.  There were one-page cheat sheets that identified the important items on display.  But I took great pride in memorizing the stories that Earle told.  

        I am hoping that we will be able to feature some guest writers who will share their discoveries and research.  And thus, we begin a journey of past events and peoples' lives that should not be forgotten.  

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