First Funeral Held Monday—Three Others on Tuesday—Business Will be Suspended—Condition of the Injured. (Bangor Daily News, August 1, 1911)

Bangor Daily News, August 1, 1911

FROM PRESQUE ISLE

First Funeral Held Monday—Three Others on Tuesday—Business Will be Suspended—Condition of the Injured.

(Special to the Bangor Daily News.)

PRESQUE ISLE, July 31—Funeral services were conducted Monday morning at 10 o’clock, over the body of Vernon Harris, who met death in the late train disaster at Grindstone. The Rev. Mr. Gregory officiated and the services were conducted at the home of Melville L. Harris, father of deceased, Gouldville. Young Harris, whose age was 23 years, although of a good and retiring turn of mind, had a large circle of genuine friends. He was an exemplary young man, and an only son. His mother died several years ago. Besides his father he is survived by two sisters, all of whom have the deepest sympathy of the community.

Interment was made at Maysville cemetery in the family lot.

There will be three more funerals of wreck victims Tuesday. That of Harry Clark, another victim of the accident, at 10 o’clock in the forenoon from his late home in Gouldville. The Rev. P. C. Manzer will officiate.

At 1 o’clock in the afternoon will be the funeral of Frank Seely from the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Seely, Gouldville. The Rev. P. C. Manzer of St. John’s church will officiate.

At 2:30 the same afternoon will be held the funeral services of Dr. Hugh G. Pipes from the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Pipes, Gouldville.

The condition of the injured, in the recent wreck, for the most part, is quite encouraging today. It is believed that Ralph Hardy and G. F. Noyes will recover very nicely. Dr. F. W. Lowry, while thought to be doing fairly well, suffers intermittent severe pain through his waist and abdomen. His right leg which was practically paralyzed is regaining its feeling and will move somewhat naturally at the ankle and foot. Harry Case passed quite a hard night Sunday, the badly fractured arm giving much distress and he seems to suffer internally.

Charles W. Palmer has quite comfortable periods, but is undergoing the trial of a very bad compound fracture of the left leg.

William Duncan of Washburn has been directly heard from today and is said to be improving.

The good reports of the condition of Earl Gibson are most welcome and he will come up from Bangor to his home here in Washburn today

TO INVESTIGATE THE GRINDSTONE WRECK (Bangor Daily News, August 1, 1911)

William Linton Duncan, Sr. (1856-1941) and his son Alexander Noel Duncan (1885-1942) were injured on the Grindstone.

Bangor Daily News, August 1, 1911

TO INVESTIGATE THE GRINDSTONE WRECK

Railroad Commissioners Will Hold Hearing in Millinocket on Wednesday.

FUNERALS AT PRESQUE ISLE

Three Services Today—business will be suspended in Grief-Stricken Aroostook Town.

The funeral of one of the victims of the Grindstone wreck was held at Presque Isle Monday. The funerals of three others will be held today. The stores will be closed, business suspended and it will be a day of mourning in the Aroostook town.

Although no more deaths are expected, several have symptoms of internal injuries and one not-altogether out of danger.

Engineer W. J. Orr of Bangor is the only wreck victim now in the Eastern Maine hospital and his condition is favorable. Earl Gibson of Washburn has been discharged and left for home Monday.

OTHERS INJURED

In addition to the list of injured already published, the following cases have been reported to the Bangor & Aroostook office:

On the excursion train—Ralph Shaw, Mars Hill, injuries to abdomen; John York, Mars Hill, extensive bruise on leg with large amount of swelling.

On the regular rain—L. V. Thibedeau, Van Buren, small bruises caused by being thrown from seat.

Mrs. E. Patterson, New York City, sprain of right hand.

Mrs. Nicholas Fessenden, Fort Fairfield, slight sprain of ankle and wrist; small contusions of face.

E. N. Bartlett, Adams, N. Y. suffering from shock.

Thomas A. Nolan, Haverhill, Mass., suffering from shock.

J. S. Maling, Brewer, shin and left leg bruised.

H. S. Dodge, East Boothbay, suffering from shock.

Charles Gross, Boston, Mass., left arm and back wrenched.

THE INVESTIGATION

Railroad Commissioners Spofford, Keizer and Jones will hold an investigation at Millinocket, Wednesday, opening in the municipal courtroom at 10:15 a.m. County attorney George L. [?] Thompson will be present in the interests of the State and Judge Louis C. Stearns for the railroad.

Many witnesses will be examined but it seems highly probable that the point of the investigation will center in Conductor H. G. Dibblee of Houlton, who with engineer F. W. Garcelon, who was killed, was responsible for the safe running of the excursion train.

The register at Millinocket shows that the train left at 8:55. The running time to Grindstone is 13 minutes. The leaving time of the regular from Grindstone was 9:09, thus giving the excursion train but one minute spare. This was, railroad men say, very close figuring and contrary to rules as three minutes must be allowed under standard rules for variation of watches. In other words, the excursion train had but one minute over running time allowing that it was able to make the time, which was doubtful under the weather conditions.

An experienced railroad man in discussing the wreck said, “While I may not know all the circumstances, it appears to me that there is no question as to the responsibility. Of course had there been block signals, both trains would have been held back and there would have been no collision, but there wasn’t so that does not figure.

“The trains were running by schedule and not by train orders, as the regular was on time. Had the regular been off schedule there would have been orders. The regular had a clear right of way and was not supposed to know officially that there was another train on the line other than those on the line and in absence of orders. The excursion train was supposed to keep clear of the regular.

When the excursion train was ready to leave Millinocket the conductor and engineer no doubt consulted and decided that they could reach Grindstone before the leaving time of the regular. In such cases the conductor depends upon his engineer to a considerable extent, although he is equally responsible.

“It appears to me that when the engineer said that he was running dangerously close to the time, he should have not have taken the chance but should have stopped and “flagged in”–according to rules which means to send a brakeman ahead with signals far enough to stop the regular, the train following slowly.

            “The first principle of railroading—a rule printed in black type in every book of rules is, “When in doubt, take the safe side.” It seems to have been disregarded in this case.”

PRESQUE ISLE A TOWN OF MOURNING (Bangor Daily News, July 31, 1911)

William Linton Duncan, Sr. (1856-1941) and his son Alexander Noel Duncan (1885-1942) were injured on the Grindstone.

Grindstone wreck articles from Bangor Daily News via Connie and Lloyd Duncan

William Duncan and his son Alec were among the injured at the Grindstone, Maine train wreck late at night on July 28, 1911. They were returning from participating with the Presque Isle Band in a B & A railroad excursion to the coast of Maine.

Bangor Daily News, July 31, 1911

PRESQUE ISLE A TOWN OF MOURNING

Four Well Known Young Men Among the Dead and Many Other Residents Injured.

(Special to the Bangor Daily News)

PRESQUE ISLE, July 29—A calamity worse than fire or anything else that ever visited this town occurred Friday night when four of our leading young people were killed and ten others injured in the railroad head-on collision accident near Grindstone. It was 3 o’clock Saturday morning before any of our citizens were aware of the accident and soon the unwelcome and terrifying news spread from home to home from which loved ones had gone out in health and strength in the early morning for a day of recreation. Anxious hearts awaited a further message to learn if their dear ones were safe, while others were prostrated and bowed down with grief over what was all too true, that some had been killed and others seriously injured.

The homes most sorely afflicted were those of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Pipes, whose son, Dr. Hugh Graham Pipe, a rising young dentist had been killed; that of Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Seeley whose only son, Frank, a bright young man and late graduate of Presque Isle High school met death; the home of Mrs. Harry Clark, whose husband, a prominent young businessman, was killed and that of Mr. Mell Harris and his daughter, whose only son and brother, Verne Harris, also met death. Among the killed was also Claude Lumis of Washburn, a most likely young man. Among the others killed were Frank Garcelon, of Houlton, formerly of Presque Isle, an engineer.

THE INJURED

The Presque Isle people who were injured seriously, are Dr. F. W. Lowrey, dentist; Ralph Hardy, son of W. N. Hardy, Charles W. Palmer, band leader, George T. Noyes, bookkeeper for A. M. Smith, hardware Co., R. J. Welch, Ted Southard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Silas Southard, Clyde Johnston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Johnston, Harry Case, whose parents live here. Some others were more or less injured, among them being Stanley Judd, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Judd, whose head was hurt; also William Duncan of Washburn who was quite seriously injured in the back and in other ways. His young son who was with him was hurt on the nose. Earl Gibson of Washburn was hurt in the spine, and his serious condition made it necessary to take him to Bangor hospital.

STORIES OF SURVIVORS

Those who returned tell many incidents that are heart rendering. Supt. McMann said the scene beggared description. Dead and wounded lying all around in one of the most lonely spots on the B & A two miles from a telephone and seven miles from a doctor. As good fortune would have it one physician was on board the train, Dr. Foster, who did all that was possible under the circumstances. It was eight hours before the bodies could be removed from the spot and only the injured arrived in Presque Isle on the morning train Saturday that is due at 9:19, but was nearly an hour and a half late. The dead were placed on a special that arrived soon after the regular 2:05 afternoon train which was five hours late reaching here about 7, on account of the wreckage the train being delayed.

The waiting made the suspense of the grief stricken relatives all the more great.

The undertaking rooms of R. J. Smith & Co. were arranged to receive the bodies and prepare them for burial.

The local doctors and nurses were busy all day and night attending to the injured. At 4 o’clock in the morning by order of one of the leading doctors hundreds of yards of bandages were wound at the Sweetser-Connick private hospital ready for the emergency.

Hearing of the terrible accident, Doctors Sincock, Thomas and Porter of Caribou hastened over on the next train and offered their services, an act that was much appreciated by local physicians and all others.

Superintendent McMann in an interview with the News reporter further stated that he never saw a crowd of people more calm and controlled under trying conditions. All arose to the occasion and subdued their feelings without serious outward expression. Even those  present who lost dear ones tried for the sake of the others to bear their trouble heroically.

BAND WAS PLAYING

The excursion train that left Presque Isle at 5:57 Friday morning did so in a day of sunshine. Mr. Cayting was managing the excursion which was given under the auspices of the Presque Isle band and coming home a young fellow who had been hurt in a ball game was lying on a cot in the baggage car when the band boys conceived the idea of playing for the injured boy. Accordingly nearly all of them assembled themselves together in the combination car and had just begun to play when the accident happened. Alex, drummer and traps had been sitting in the seat with young Somer and Verne Harris, both of whom met death, when he arose and stood in the aisle to play. His drum saved his life. The silver cornet played by Claude Lumar was bent into a shapeless mass and was picked up and saved by the boys.

G. F. Noyes while wedged between timbers and intensely suffering, had the presence of mind to fan his fellow-sufferer, Ralph Hardy, with his hat. Young Hardy could scarcely breathe. It is thought that both he and Mr. Noyes will recover. Both have families.

E. W. Higgins, who was in the band, though not injured, returned home only to find his wife in a very critical condition from recent illness. Her death is momentarily expected.

Dr. Pipes leaves a young wife and Mr. Clark leaves a wife and one child.

It is thought the local injured may all recover. C. W. Palmer was taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Allen, his wife being away on her vacation.

Dr. Lowrey’s wife and children were in Boston and he was taken to the home of J. Orin Smith, Esq.

Mrs. Clark, whose husband was among the killed, and their little daughter, were in Searsport and it was deemed that they could not make train connection to reach home before Monday.

Saturday weather conditions with train and mud combined to make one of the most depressing days Presque Isle ever experience.

To add to the sad conditions the death of Mrs. Mary McDonald, widow of the most depressing days Presque [sic] respected and elderly lady occurred Saturday morning at 11:30 o’clock. She leaves two sons, R. M. and Donald McDonald, grocers, and two daughters, Mrs. Scown and her sister Annie of Boston. Mrs. McDonald has been in feeble health for some time.

No arrangements for the funeral of those who lost their lives in the accident have as yet been perfected and cannot be until Sunday.

Hundreds of anxious people gathered at the B & A station Saturday morning for the incoming trains. Ropes had to be used to keep the passage clear and special police were on duty.

NINE DEATHS NOW FROM TRAIN WRECK (Bangor Daily News, July 31, 1911)

William Linton Duncan, Sr. (1856-1941) and his son Alexander Noel Duncan (1885-1942) were injured on the Grindstone.

Grindstone wreck articles from Bangor Daily News via Connie and Lloyd Duncan

William Duncan and his son Alec were among the injured at the Grindstone, Maine train wreck late at night on July 28, 1911. They were returning from participating with the Presque Isle Band in a B & A railroad excursion to the coast of Maine.

Bangor Daily News, July 31, 1911

NINE DEATHS NOW FROM TRAIN WRECK

Brakeman Estabrook Dies in Eastern Maine Hospital Sunday Morning.

AROOSTOOK TOWNS PLUNGED IN GRIEF

Stories of the Wilderness Horror Related by Survivors—A Night of Terror and Suffering in the Storm—Excursion Train Was Within Half a Minute of Safety When Crash Came. Railroad Commissioners Will Meet on Wednesday to Investigate.

George Estabrook aged 21, of Linneus, Aroostook county, who was a brakeman on the excursion train wrecked, died in the Eastern Maine General Hospital Sunday morning, making the list of dead nine. The injured are all doing well, although some are badly hurt and will be months recovering.

The railroad commissioners have appointed Wednesday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m. for the hearing, to be held at Millinocket, and they will make a close investigation into the cause of the disaster.

While the Bangor & Aroostook officials here are naturally unwilling to make any statement pending the result of the investigation, it seems that the fault lay with the excursion train. All sorts of reports are in circulation, but there is nothing very definite except that the excursion train attempted to make the run from Millinocket to Grindstone in ordinary time under extraordinary conditions. A passenger in the excursion train says that the train got a “clearance” from Millinocket, allowing it to proceed, and Conductor Diblee of the excursion is quoted as saying that he asked his engineer, Garcelon, if he could make Grindstone before the regular got away from that station, and that the engineer had replied to the affirmative. Later, says a man who was riding in the combination car, Conductor Diblee came into the baggage compartment, and, going to the side door, looked anxiously up the track, remarking later that the engineer was ten seconds behind time. The conductor had scarcely left the car when the crash came.

Fatal train collision remembered by 90-year-old PI resident (July 25, 1984)

William Linton Duncan, Sr. (1856-1941) and his son Alexander Noel Duncan (1885-1942) were injured on the Grindstone.

William Duncan and his son Alec were among the injured at the Grindstone, Maine train wreck late at night on July 28, 1911. They were returning from participating with the Presque Isle Band in a B & A railroad excursion to the coast of Maine.

(from Facebook, page authored by Presque Isle Reference, posted a photograph of an article written by Mark Putnam, dated July 25, 1984)

Fatal train collision remembered by 90-year-old PI resident

Although the Grindstone train collision will have happened 73 years ago on Saturday 90 year-old Presque Isle resident Hazel Green remembers the tragic event “just like it happened yesterday.”

Hazel, who is reminded of the wreck in recurring nightmares, was only 17 on July 28, 1911 when two trains collided head-on at a lonely stretch of track in grindstone, nine miles north of Millinocket.

Members of the 1911 PIHS band, along with family and friends, had enjoyed the day at Kidder’s Point on Penobscot Bay. As the Bangor and Aroostook excursion train carrying the happy group back to Presque Isle reached Millinocket, the train’s conductor made a fatal judgment error which would shortly result in a head-on collision further down the line.

Upon reaching Millinocket at about 9 p.m., the conductor decided not to sidetrack the train there but attempted to reach Grindstone to sidetrack before the arrival of the southbound train.

The terrible accident left nine dead, of which four were from Presque Isle and one was from Washburn.

According to the August 3, 1911 edition of the Star Herald, the force of the impact was borne to a greater extent by the excursion train which had its engine telescoped into a combination baggage/smoking car immediately behind it. It was in that car, just at the moment of the impact, Chas Palmer, the band leader, had raised his hand to start the band. Many of the band members had lifted their instruments to their lips at the precise moment of impact.

The young Presque Isle men killed in the collision were Dr. Hugh Pipes, 24, who had just graduated from the University of Pennsylvania dental school; Frank Seeley, 17, an only son who had just graduated from PIHS; Vergne Harris, 23, also an only son who after school had taken charge of the home in Maysville; and Harry Clark, 40, a member of the blacksmith and wheelright firm of Monny and Clark.

Washburn resident Claude Loomer, the leader of the Washburn band and a member of the PIHS band, also lost his life.

The remaining dead included the engineer, the firemen on both trains and the baggage master.

Hazel Green, 17, at the time, and her husband Billy, 30, took the excursion train because they “like to travel’ not because of the band. Rather than listening to the band play at the ocean, Hazel and her husband of two years went boating around the bay.

According to Mrs. Green, who’s husband died 28 years ago, the excursion train got a late start back to Presque Isle that afternoon. “We should have started back earlier because of the steady rain. The engine was old and the wet rails made the trip slower than usual,” said Green.

As the train neared Grindstone Hazel knew things weren’t right. “The cold rain was coming down off the mountain and the wind was howling loudly. In the darkness I saw an approaching headlight and my husband stood up in the middle of the aisle and held me tight. We knew what was going to happen.” Luckily, the Greens were in the next to the last car of the excursion train. The band was up front.

“Just before the wreck, the conductor ran by us, into the caboose and off the end of the train. I guess he watched the whole thing from the woods.” Hazel added, “ He didn’t even warn the band. The crew in the engine knew they were going to die, but they didn’t run; they died heroes.”

After the crash, there was no way of getting help until the next train came by. “Rain poured through the broken windows all night long. We had no way of communicating to the other stations. The next train came by for us in the morning, that was too late for many.”

Mrs. Green wrote the following poem and would like to share it with our readers:

That Awful Night

The night was dark

While rain made slippery

Rails under the old

Freight engine thus

Slowing down its schedule.

The Conductor, sheet white

With great stress

Came up the aisle

With watch in hand

Suddenly the light

Of No. nine from Caribou

Swept around the curve.

The brakeman threw the switch

To side track the train,

He died in the line of duty.

A crash: the hiss of steam

From two telescoped boilers.

Five men died bravely

To save the lives of others.

Screams of mortal sorrow

Rent the air blending

With the roar of the wind

And the deluge of rain coming

Down the mountain side.

Coaches atilt, broken glass

Strewed all around

From the great impact.

Four youths unaware of danger

Were killed in the baggage coach ahead.

They never lived to tell the story of

That awful night of

The Grindstone train wreck.