| Subject: |
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1903 Godfrey Kansas train wreck |
| Name: |
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Larry E. Shankles |
| Date Posted: |
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Sep 20, 05 - 8:24 PM |
| Message: |
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The Frisco Meteor derailed at 4:55 AM Dec 21 1903 at Godfrey KS. Third section of #172 stalled, out of steam, between the switches. #118 took the passing track to bypass the stalled train. The rear brakemen of #172 was sent back to flag the Meteor, but for some unknown reason he failed to do so. The Meteor entered the passing track at 50 mph and the engine turned over. The six cars, baggage-combine, RPO-smoker, two coaches and two sleepers piled into the engine. Eleven were killed and 80 injured. It was the worst wreck that ever occured on the Frisco. Several hearings were held and the failure of the flagman was ruled as the sole cause. The flagmen vanished after the wreck and was never found. Rumor had it that he climbed aboard a southbound freight and adopted a new identity. |
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