Collision on Train Tracks
Chicago Tribune, 16. September 1945
Manhattan Fire Department Centennial Book, 1992
Manhattan Memories, 2017.
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As reported by Joliet Herald News, on September 15, Saturday, 1945 a fast northbound Wabash train struck a gasoline truck at the Wabash crossing on State Street about 6:30am. The gasoline truck, an 8,000 gallon tanker-truck, was wrapped around the engine and exploded as a result of the impact and later had to be pried off.
The engine did not come to a stop until about half mile down the track, and had to be backed to town to be extinguished. The locomotive and two baggage cars, along with a wooden refrigerator car were destroyed by the fire.
Because of its proximity to the accident, Alexander Lumber Company office burned down. It was also reported that two of its warehouses also burned, and damage was inflicted upon few other businesses in the vicinity. Later a new lumber company office was built across the street at 230 Wabash.
None of the passenger coaches were destroyed nor were any of the passengers injured, states MFD Centennial Book. Passengers included the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team who were on the way from St. Louis to Chicago to play against the Chicago Cubs that afternoon.
Three men were killed in this accident. Charles G. Tegtmeyer of Chicago, the engineer, was killed on scene. George Ebert of Decatur, a fireman, and Herman Cherry of Joliet, the truck driver, were taken to St. Joseph’s hospital with critical burns and later died.
