Mr. J. M. Meade,
TOPEKA, Kansas.
Dear Sir:
Would say, in reference to yours of recent date, that I was the Conductor on Train #2, from Fort Madison to Chicago, on April 10th, 1889, This train was run into from the rear by an Extra Stock Train, at Lorenzo, Illinois. A Mr. Hart, wife and six year old son were killed and a young lady, a sister of Mr. Hart, was killed, but cannot remember her name. There was also a Dr. Lamb who was badly hurt, but finally recovered. Those people all lived in Brookline, Mass. Mr. Hart at that time was one of the Directors of the old Atlantic & Pacific R. R. There was also a colored porter killed. I think his name was White and he lived in Los Angeles.
The young lady, the colored porter and Mr. Hart's son were dead when we removed them from the wreck. Mr. Hart and his wife passed away a few days later, at the Hope Hospital in Chicago. They were very badly burned. The engine of the stock train was burried full length in the Special car. The steam pipes were broken and filled the car with hot steam and did the deadly work. Myself and two stock men from Lathrop Missouri, got the dead and injured out. I do not remember the names of the two stock men, but they helped me at a time when I much needed it and the Company did not forget them for it, for they always had an annual pass while I was with the Company.
Harry W. Lamb of Brookline, Mass, was the first one to get out. He had wrapped himself up in blankets to keep the hot steam from him, and that I think saved his life. When we carried him into the little depot at Lorenzo, I went back to him and he had revived and could talk a little. He asked for the young lady. I told him that accounts for the bridal party, While Mr. Lamb was in the hospital in Chicago, he sent for me. He said he owed his life for me and said he always wanted to know where I was and the next Christmas he sent me a check for $100.00.
Engine #531 was pulling #2 on this night, Engineer Jack Binder. The wreck occurred at 4:07 in the morning.
Meads Manual transcribed in altered form for the web by Russell Crump