Train Wreck at Norwich, 1902

 

Wreck at Norwich

Engineer Langford T. Hewitt Instantly Killed

Engine Turned a Somersault

 



About a mile below Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Saturday morning at 9:28 a passenger train, No. 864, on the Lackawanna road, which was running at a high rate of speed and had reached the switch was, in some way unexplained, diverted to the side track about a rod, and the track which was under course of repair, spread, throwing the train off the track.  The Monday Sun says:  "The train was made up of engine 475, combination express, mail and baggage coach, smoker and regular passenger coach.  Both the latter coaches were heavily loaded with passengers.  The entire train ran onto the siding far enough to clear the main track all but the rear portion of the passenger coach.  the rear trucks of the last coach alone remained on the track.  The engine turned completely over in the ditch and laid on its side diagonally with the track.  Fireman Smith, who was shoveling coal on top of the tender when the train left the track, jumped and sustained only shock and slight bruises.  Engineer Hewitt went into the ditch with his engine and was buried under two feet or more of wreckage.  His mangled body was only recovered after digging away the debris.  Although he exhibited some signs of life, yet he did not speak as far as known.  One of his arms was broken, one leg broken in three places, with scalp wounds on the top of head and back of ear.  The face, chest and arms were also badly scalded by steam.  The body was afterwards taken to the undertaking establishment of Lawrence and Curtis, where it was carefully prepared for burial and sent to the deceased's home in Utica [Oneida Co., NY] on the 4:42 afternoon train.  Langford T. Hewitt was one of the oldest, in point of service, engineers on the road.  He has run continuously since 1876 and was known as a most careful and conscientious employee.  Engineer "Mose" Hewitt will be sadly missed by everybody on the road.  It is understood he is survived by a wife and married daughter residing in Utica."  [Bainbridge Republican, Sept. 4, 1902]