Lexington Train Wreck of 1906

This photograph was provided by Cory Walker.  The picture was taken by Clarence E. Robbins, who worked on the B&O Railroad for many years..  The wreck occured on January 29, 1906 on the north side of Nabb, Indiana.  There were 2 fatalities.  The following article was from the January 30, 1906 issue of The Louisville Courier-Journal:

Engineer killed and nine injured in wreck on big four.
Richard hines dies after coming to Louisville
Misunderstood orders said to have been cause southbound train late

"In a head-on collision of two Big Four passenger trains, near Nabb, Ind., twenty-five miles north of Jeffersonville, Richard Hines, engineer, of Louisville, was killed and nine other persons were hurt yesterday morning at 8:50 o’clock.  Richard Hines, engineer of southbound train, of 321 East Jefferson Street, Louisville, foot cut off, deep gash on head, died at 11:30 last night at St. Joseph’s Infirmary, Louisville. Unmarried and supposed to have no relatives except a grandmother in Pennsylvania.

Elijah Radabaugh, engineer of the north-bound train, of Anderson, Ind., left leg broken above ankle and internal injuries. Jumped just before locomotives crashed together. J. Schaff, fireman, of North Vernon, face cut and shoulder sprained. H.F. McDonald, American Express Company messenger, of New Albany, back hurt. Injures not serious. C.H. Ogden, brakeman; cut on head. Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Sanders, of Hinesville, Ky., passengers; both sustained injuries to elbows. J.D. Sample, mail clerk, elbow hurt. John Cole, Bloomington, Ind., passenger; cut over left eye and ankle sprained. Warner Cole, Bloomington, Ind., passenger; right ankle sprained.

The collision occurred as the south-bound train was about to go into a siding. Engineer Hines heard the north-bound train coming and, realizing that it was too late for him to make the siding, he reversed the engine in an effort to avert the collision. His action was too late, however and his train had moved backward but a short distance when the north-bound train crashed into it. As the north-bound train rounded a curve just before the collision, engineer Radabaugh saw the south-bound train and reversed his engine. He stayed on the engine until he was within a few car lengths of the other locomotive and he and his fireman then jumped. The south-bound train was late and it is said that the orders for the north-bound train were misunderstood.

The big engines went together with a great crash and both were entirely demolished. The passengers in both trains were badly jarred and shaken by the impact of the collision and at first it was thought a great number had been fatally injured. Soon after the accident a message was sent to Lexington, Ind., three miles away, and Drs. C.B. Matthews, A.H. Lothrop, and J.B. Tichenor went to aid of the injured. Dr. Meloy of Otisco, Ind., was also summoned.

Wreck trains were sent from Louisville and North Vernon, and at 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon the tracks were cleared and traffic was resumed.  Richard Hines was brought to Louisville yesterday afternoon and taken to St. Joseph’s Infirmary, where he was attended by Dr. Thomas L. Butler. As soon as his injuries were examined it was announced that there was little chance for his recovery. Mr. McDonald was taken to his home in New Albany where it was said last night that he was not seriously hurt.

Mr. Hines boarded at 321 East Jefferson Street. He was a bachelor and had no relatives in Louisville. It was said at the infirmary last night that his only surviving relative is a grandmother in Pennsylvania. He had been in the employ of the Big Four Railroad about twenty years and he was one of the oldest engineers in point of service on the Big Four. His home was near Anderson, Ind., it is said."

The February 2, 1906 issue of The New Washington Courier lists the crew of the two trains:

Nabb Notes

"The engineers on both the wrecked trains were so badly injured that they died at about 12 o’clock on Monday night. The following are the names of the train crew on No. 31: H.B. Crabill, conductor; John Cannon, brakesman; McDonald, baggageman; Herman Himes, engineer; Frank McClintic, fireman. On No. 34 - A.R. Andrew, conductor; C.H. Ogden, brakesman; Van Antwerp, baggageman; L. Radabaugh, engineer; J. Scharf, fireman."

Return to: Lexington - A Pioneer Town