Plower, Wisconsin Train Wreck
September 21, 1910
Several Were Injured
Combination Car on Green Bay Road Thrown From
Tracks at Plover by Throwing Switch Too Soon.
The Green Bay & Western has for more than a
quarter of a century been recognized as one of
the safest roads in the state to travel upon,
but passengers who went south on the branch from
this city to Plover, last Saturday afternoon,
were at least momentarily convinced that “all
signs had changed.” The train left here on time,
at 2:30 and was entering on the “Y” north and
west of Plover station. The brakeman had thrown
the switch and then jumped on the forward end to
throw another switch farther down. The engine
passed over as did also the forward truck of the
combination passenger coach and express car, but
before the rear trucks reached the switch it was
thrown back. The mistake was not noticed soon
enough to be rectified, and soon things
commenced to present a dangerous aspect. The
engineer stopped as quickly as possible, but not
quick enough to prevent the rear trucks being
torn loose and the overturning of the car, which
fell upon its side.
Guy E. Morrill of this city, and Guy Pierce of
Plover, were the only occupants of the express
car at the time. The former sat upon a box, and
as the car fell over he landed between the stove
and wall on the opposite side to where he had
been sitting, while the box landed just above
his head, narrowly missing him. Fearing the
stove would follow, Mr. Morrill quickly regained
his feet and scrambled out upon the ground, but
not until one of his shins had been cut and he
was considerably bruised. Mr. Pierce saved
himself by jumping from the side door, just as
the car was tipping and had a narrow escape.
The coach was occupied by several passengers,
among them being Mrs. Robt. Herman, Mrs. Wallace
Verrill, Mrs. Cross, Mrs. John Lukaszvitch and
two children, Mrs. H. A. Marlatt, Mrs. Jacob
Suski and Miss Rose Spring, all of the town
Plover, Mrs. Chas. Glodowsi of Arnott, Mr. and
Mrs. Jos. Glodowski of this city, Mrs. U. J.
Puariea of Buena Vista, A. C. Nelson of
Scandinavia, and P. Leonhowdt of Sturgeon Bay,
all of whom were cut and bruised.
Mrs. Herman, who is the wife of the section
foreman at Plover, was the most badly hurt. A
few weeks ago, while riding home on a hand car
after attending a show in this city, she was
accidentally thrown to the ground, breaking
three ribs. On Saturday she came here to consult
a physician, and in the wreck the ribs were
again torn apart and she was otherwise injured.
For several minutes there was the wildest
excitement among the occupants of the car, the
ladies screaming and crying for help, but the
train crew, assisted by P. Curran, the local
agent here, who was temporarily in charge of the
train, and Mr. Morrill set to work and soon had
them out in safety. The car was quite badly
wrecked, but was righted the next day and taken
to Green Bay for repairs. General Supt. Frank B.
Seymour arrived from Green Bay on the evening
train and spent two or three days here looking
after the wreck and settling up with those who
were injured, visiting and interviewing several
of them in company with Dr. G. Rood and Dr. von
Neupert, Jr.
Gazette, Stevens Point, WI 21 Sept. 1910
Transcribed by Mary
Saggio. Thank you Mary!
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