1890 Quincy train wreck

1890 railroad accident in Massachusetts September 2025 1890 Quincy train wreck 1890_Quincy_train_wreck.jpg Aftermath of the wreck 42.2533 -71.0065 inline,title 1890 08 19 y Shortly after 1:00 pm Quincy, Massachusetts U.S. Old Colony Railroad Derailment Jack left on the track 1 23 29 List of rail accidents (1890–1899) The 1890 Quincy train wreck was a railway accident that occurred on August 19, 1890, in Quincy, Massachusetts, resulting in the deaths of 23 people. It was the second major train wreck in the city, following the 1878 accident in Wollaston. The accident was caused by a jack that had been left on the track. The foreman of the crew that placed the jack on the track was charged with manslaughter, but the trial ended in a hung jury. Accident At 10:50 a.m. on August 19, 1890, the Old Colony Railroad's Woods Hole Express, consisting of a locomotive, baggage car, smoking car, Pullman car, and four coaches, departed Woods Hole with 391 passengers. Its riders were tourists from across the country who had vacationed in Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.16 Dead: Wollaston Disaster Repeated The Boston Daily Globe August 20, 1890 It was scheduled to arrive in Boston at 1:10 PM. Near the Adams Academy campus in Quincy, Old Colony maintenance workers had returned from break and were working on surfacing the road bed. They were working at the north end of a curve, which made it so that an oncoming train could not be seen for 300 to 400 ft m. In spite of this, foreman Joseph F. Welch chose not to send a flag out to warn oncoming trains.The Old Colony Disaster https://books.google.com/books?id=zqRIAQAAMAAJ Engineering News August 30, 1890 Shortly after passing Quincy station, the express passed a gravel train. The engineer of the gravel train motioned indicating that the engineer of the express should whistle for people on the track. When the express was about 350 ft m away from the work crew, the engineer used his whistle to warn of his train's approach. The men, who had not previously heard the express due to the passing gravel train, moved out of the way, but neglected to take a jack off of the rail. The Woods Hole Express struck the jack, which derailed the locomotive and plunged it into an embankment. The fireman was instantly killed, but the engineer survived. The tender, baggage car, smoker, and Pullman passed by the engine and were stretched out alongside the track. No one on these cars was seriously injured. The lead coach fell on top of the engine and its 50 passengers were thrown into the corner, killing many of them. The car then filled with steam from the engine fatally scalding several passengers who had not died in the collision. The three remaining coaches stayed on the track and their occupants were unharmed.Wreck on the Old Colony The New York Times August 20, 1890 In addition to the 12 people killed in the wreck, 11 later died from their injuries. Boston newspaper editor Edwin C. Bailey was among those who perished.Funeral of E. C. Bailey The Boston Daily Globe August 24, 1890 Prosecution The Massachusetts Railroad Commission's report stated that "the immediate responsibility for this terrible accident rests upon Joseph F. Welch, the section master."Massachusetts Board of Railroad Commissioners Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners 1890 1890 113–135 https://books.google.com/books?id=se49AQAAMAAJ 18 February 2022 Following an inquest, the district attorney chose to prosecute Welch.Welch in Jail: Boss of Section Gang Arrested. Held Responsible for Quincy Wreck The Boston Daily Globe September 1, 1890 On September 5, a grand jury indicted Welch for manslaughter.Second Degree: J. F. Welch Indicted for Manslaughter The Boston Daily Globe September 6, 1890 His trial began on April 28, 1891.Quincy Horror Recalled: Trial of Joseph F. Welch for Manslaughter The Boston Daily Globe April 29, 1891 On May 1, after nine hours of deliberation, the jury was unable to reach a verdict. The jury was split 8 to 4, with the majority favoring acquittal.Charges Not Proven: No Verdict in Welch Man slaughter Case The Boston Daily Globe May 2, 1891 See also List of disasters in Massachusetts by death toll References Category:1890 in Massachusetts Category:August 1890 in the United States Category:Quincy, Massachusetts Category:Railway accidents in 1890 Category:Railway accidents and incidents in Massachusetts Category:Accidents and incidents involving Old Colony Railroad Category:Derailments in the United States