Ligonier Valley Rail Road Newspaper Articles
We have compiled over 1,400 newspaper articles that mention the Ligonier Valley Railroad, or related subjects. The articles were originally published starting in 1873 and our collection runs through 1995. Enjoy!
Latrobe Bulletin
Wednesday, July 10, 1912
Responsibility Not Yet Placed
"Oh, my young man, I wish I could give it to you now, but I can't."
Thus spoke General Manager Geo. Senft, of the Ligonier Valley, this morning, when he
was approached and asked for the statement as to the causes leading up to the wreck, which statement, he had said, yesterday, he thought he would be able to make today.
"I have nothing for you," he continued. "The Interstate Commerce representatives who are here are working independently of me, and until they give me permission, I cannot speak. I must first get my authority from them. I well realize how anxious the public must be, and know that something must be made known to the people soon. I think that I can promise you a statement for tomorrow, sure."
"Can't you even say, Mr. Senft, whether or not a telephone message was received to hold the train?" he was asked.
"Oh, I'd like to, but I cannot speak," he replied.
"I trusted all of our employees," he continued. "All of them had been in our employ for years and all had the best interest of the company at heart. That's one reason why I cannot speak until we are absolutely certain where the fault lay.
There was no special picnic train, that day, no special runs, and therefore, there was all the more reason why there should have been no ccident; no reason in the world why the wreck should have occurred."
Both of the Interstate Commerce Department's representatives are still in Ligonier, but
they have nothing to give out, as yet. Coroner McMurray, who has been busily engaged, seeking testimony, also is silent, having nothing to make public, and the cause of the wreck is no more certain today, than it was yesterday, as far as the public's information concerning it, it concerned.
Numerous residents of Ligonier expressed indignation, this morning, over a story
printed in one or more of the Pittsburgh papers, concerning the dead engineer, Frank McConnaughey. The story contained an implied reflection upon him, making reference to an unfortunate episode occurring in his life, some months ago, and intimated that the delay of the freight train had been due to his nervous condition, his engine having jumped the track, at Wilpen. The residents deplored the publication of the story, saying that there was no one who held the dead engineer at fault in any way.
Some indignation also was expressed over the story given publication in a city paper, to the effect that the residents of Ligonier were impatient because Coroner McMurray was not holding an inquest, at once. No such feeling existed, it was asserted by residents.
One resident, when interviewed, said that the community had been misrepresented. "We are willing to wait until the result of the investigation is announced," he declared. "We feel that the investigators will ascertain the truth, and that it will be made known in good time."
It is known that the general manager and the men who are investigating the wreck will not lay the responsibility at any man's feet before they are certain that they cannot be mistaken, and not before they will have given the man or men an opportunity to explain, if possible, what may seem to be against him or them.
Coroner H. Albert McMurray, when seen last night with reference to when he will hold the inquest in the Ligonier wreck case, said: "I have been working every day since the wreck occurred gathering evidence and have considerable in my possession at this time that I would not deem wise to make public until I empanel a jury. I have statements from all the important witnesses with the exception of one whose condition has been such that I have not been able to get a statement from him. Several of the Ligonier people have asked me when I would hold the inquest, and I told them that it would be held just as soon as I could get the important witnesses. It has taken all my time in getting the proper identifications of the dead, having the bodies shipped and getting the right line on the witnesses it will be necessary to call. I intend to make a full and impartial investigation in this case, and let the blame rest where the evidence sows that it should be placed. I hope to be able to announce the date of the inquest in a few days and it will be held in Ligonier.
Another Death Is Expected
At almost any hour, it is feared, may come the word that another name must be added to the list of the dead, growing out of the wreck at Ligonier, the condition of William Campbell, the young railroader who was taken to the West Penn Hospital, last Friday evening, being so grave that his death is expected. Mr. Campbell is suffering from concussion of the brain. He is 24 years of age and was married but recently. The other patients in the two Pittsburgh hospitals are reported as being slightly improved. It is not true that Conductor Charles Kuhn's limb was amputated.
Dr. Johnson, of Ligonier, continues to show slight improvement today. His condition, however, continues very serious.
At the Latrobe Hospital, additional encouragement was given to the relatives and friends of the suffering, today, the chances of all being deemed improved. One or two of the cases are still very serious.
Dr. Hamill Gives His Experience
"I was in the baggage compartment, smoking," said Dr. C. A. Hamill, of Ligonier, this
morning, when asked to give his experience in the wreck, the physician having been able to sit up, yesterday, for the first, and visitors being allowed in to see him, this morning.
"I heard an engine whistle give six short blasts, and I realized that something was happening. I caught hold of the iron railing along the door, and braced myself for I knew not what. Suddenly, I saw the body of a man fly past the door, and the thought entered my head that the train had hit him.
"The next thought that came to me, like a flash, was that I had better get down and help the man.
"That instant, I was engulfed in the wreck, the oncoming engines having reached the place where I stood, and I found myself beneath a pile of boards. I succeeded in crawling from beneath the wreckage, and then I knew no more.
Dr. Hamill's right hand was crushed, while his front teeth were knocked out, and he was bruised about the head and body. He also complained of pains about the head and spine.