Story: Railroad Derrick Accident Kills Two Boys - 1888

Editors Note: Thousands of men, women and children were killed in railroad accidents and mishaps in Michigan's history. These events, though tragic, were usually not particularly newsworthy. This article is interesting because it took place in an industrial area near Fordney, on the south side of Saginaw, near the lumber mills and salt blocks which were prolific in 1888. It is also interesting to see how the railroad removed derailed cars before heavy duty technology such as Industrial Works cranes (build down the river in Bay City) were available. Further, in this case, the railroad's own doctors (surgeons) responded to care for the patients in their homes.

From the Saginaw Weekly Courier - August 30, 1888

Sad Accident - A Railroad Derrick Tips Into the Bayou, Killing Two Boys and Injuring Others.

Sunday afternoon the city was startled by the news than an appalling accident had occurred in Saginaw's Sixth Ward, by which two boys had met their death and others been injured, and their homes darkened by sorrow and that portion of the city excited to a fever heat.

The accident was one for which no one was to blame, unless it was the victims themselves, who were repeatedly warned to keep out of danger.

William Cowan, one of the yard men of the Michigan Central railroad, and a crew of a dozen men were at work with a derrick raising some cars which had run off the track into the bayou near Green, Ring & Company's mill. The derrick was loaded on a platform car which was pushed close to the end of the track leading to the bayou, and to this another platform car was coupled.

Three pairs of trucks (railroad car wheels) had been raised out of the bayou, swung around and placed on the platform car and a fourth pair had been lifted from the bayou, when the derrick toppled over, its weight carrying the car to which it was attached off the track, one end dropping down into the bayou.

The trucks which had been lifted out were also thrown back into the bayou, carrying with them five boys who were on the car and precipitating them into the bayou upon the logs and under the trucks and derrick.

The first intimation the men in charge had that anyone was injured was from the cries of Willie Moore, whose right arm was pinioned under a pair of trucks which weigh 1,800 pounds. Six men raised the trucks from the boy, but his arm was terribly crushed. Three other boys were injured beyond the power to make any outcry.

Lawrence Collier, age 12, son of Lawrence Collier, who resides on South Hamilton street between Vermont and Fraser streets, had the top of his head crushed and was instantly killed.

Alexander Collier, a 7-year-old brother of Lawrence, received terrible injuries about the legs. Alphonso Collier, a 12-year-old son of Felix Collier, who lives on Hamilton street, near Vermont street, was injured about the head and body and died a short time after he was removed to his home.

James Fallen, a 11-year-old son of James Fallen, who resides on Second street near Greenwich street, had his jaw broken and James Fallen Sr., who was the only man working about the wreck who was injured, had his right ankle hurt.

The dead, dying and injured were removed to their homes, around which large crowds of excited people quickly gathered. Medical assistance soon arrived, and all that could be done for the injured was speedily accomplished. The bodies of Lawrence and Alexander Collier were taken to their homes. The former (Lawrence) presented a sickening sight, and was laid upon a bed, and examined by physicians, who gave the opinion that his neck was broken.

Alexander had the flesh stripped from the inside of this right leg from under the knee to the heel and the muscle was torn from the front part of the leg, and all about the ankle the flesh was burst open as if from a heavy pressure. The left foot was split from the toes back. He suffered terribly. Dr. Ostrom saw the case first, but Dr. Barber, the surgeon for the railroad, took charge of it. He hopes to save the leg. At last reports the boy was doing well.

Willie Moore was removed to his home where Drs. Davis and Small amputated his right arm near the shoulder. Although the case is considered critical, the boy rested well and yesterday was doing as well as possible. Dr. Newkirk, of Bay City, division surgeon for the railroad, and Assistant Superintendent Martin came to the city to see that everything possible was done for the injured. 

James Fallen was attended by Dr. Belfry and is doing well.

Follow Up

From the Saginaw News - September 7, 1888:

A Verdict of Censure. The Coroner's jury in the case of the Collier boys, who were killed on the 26th by the capsizing of a derrick on the Michigan Central spur track, returned a verdict last night censuring the crew for carelessness. It seems that after three pairs of trucks had been taken out of the wreck which was being removed from the bayou with the derrick, the position of the car on which the derrick was placed was changed and the same precautions of chaining it down which had at first been found necessary, were not taken.

If they had been, the accident wouldn't have happened. There was plenty of evidence to show that the boys were warned to keep away from the derrick.

From the Saginaw News - September 24, 1888:

Joseph Collier, employed in the saw mill department of the Saginaw Manufacturing Company's works across the river, got his left hand into one of the saws in the edger just as the mill started up this morning. More than half the hand and the thumb were taken off. He will just save the wrist joint. Collier is married and belongs to the same family, members of which were so unfortunate in the derrick accident a few weeks ago.

Other Notes from the Editor: It appears that these boys were allowed to climb on the railroad cars when the derrick was in operation. One of the injured boy's father may have been working for the railroad. In the late 1880's, injured people were not taken to hospitals, but rather to their homes. The graphic nature of this reporting was common for newspapers of the era, as was the gathering on onlookers, which are commonly observed in early wreckage photos of the period.