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When the trains were running over the now completed Ellwood Short Line, a serious accident occurred.
When the work train, used in laying the double track and cleaning up along the right of way south of the tunnel, wished to clear the tracks for through trains, it was necessary to go to Rock Point or Goehring to cross over. Rock Point was the destination for west bound trains, and Goehring, which was one mile west of Fornbell, for east bound trains.
At this particular time an east-bound freight of twenty-four cars loaded with iron ore was approaching. The work train proceeded to Goehring to cross over and clear the freight, but had only gone as far as the northwest section of the McKim straight when it was flagged. There were already two freights standing on the McKim straight. The flagman went back to flag the on-coming freight but was not back far enough to give the crew of that train time to get it stopped. Air brakes were unknown at that time. The result was that the heavy freight train ploughed into the work train, instantly killing the engineer and six of the Italian workmen who were sitting on flat cars with their legs hanging over the sides. Their dismembered bodies were picked up, placed in boxes and barrels and brought to the Pittsburgh & Western station. The dead were taken to the Charles F. Buchanan undertaking establishment, and the injured to the Allegheny General Hospital. Two died enroute and two more died after being admitted to the Allegheny General Hospital.
The weather was very hot, thus making the task of caring for the dead and injured somewhat of a problem. The engineer of the train, Jack Houghton, before referred to in the wreck at the water tank in Wurtemburg, heard the through freight coming and sensed the impending accident. He jumped into a field and was clear of the engine when a flying piece of timber struck him in the chest, killing him instantly.
The engine of the work train was No. 90. The engineer of the freight train was Frank Willard and the engine No. 8 1. Robert Morrow was the flagman on the work train.
Following the accident, the, Coroners inquest was held in the Simon Fisher Hotel at Frisco. H.M. Whittaker, of Ellwood City, is the only known surviving juror. Three years later the Italian Government, through thei rAmbassador, wrote each juror a letter, asking for more details about the accident and the final verdict. (From the 1942 history of Ellwood City.)