Mazomanie Train Wreck, 1906 - Mazomanie, Wisconsin
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 43° 10.477 W 089° 47.500
16T E 273095 N 4783989
Site of 1906 collision of two freight trains on east side of Mazomanie, Wisconsin.
Waymark Code: WM1RH1
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 07/01/2007
Views: 89
From information plaque near crash site:
The Train Wreck of 1906
"Wreck at Mazomanie; Two freight trains in head-on collision; No lives
lost, engineers and trainmen save themselves by timely jumping."
A headline in the Sauk County News announced a collision between two
freight trains on June 1, 1906, just east of the Mazomanie mill. The story
continued, "The way freight from Prairie du Chien being train #96 in charge of
Conductor T. Kane was coming toward Madison. It was being pulled by engine
#830, John Harrington, Engineer, and Adolph Merz, Fireman. The freight
from Milwaukee, a fast train known as the 'Cannon Ball,' was going west.
It was in charge of Conductor James Luft and Engineer James McShane. The
engine was #655 with Fred Bird as Firemen."
"The trains were going along under orders, each with its customary speed
and the trainmen on each believing they were on their usual different tracks.
A misplaced switch, however sent them flying toward each other on the same
track. Owing to a curve in the line at that place, the dangerous
circumstances were not known to the crew of either train until too late to avoid
the accident. Both engineers and other trainmen were able to save their
lives by jumping."
Because the wreck occurred within the village, people quickly took
advantage of the railroad's misfortune to use the wrecked cars and engines for a
major photographic opportunity.