Accident Scene at River

[George Lortz]

I recently scanned this newspaper photo and cleaned it up as best I could.  It shows a very early accident at a river bridge.  I think I've seen other copies of this accident photo, but does anyone have the details?

George L.

[Pete Pedigo]

George, That is the Wasbash River at Lafayette April 9, 1924.   I bought this picture off of ebay about 4 years ago.  I have no idea who the photographer was.  The print I bought is a very old print, it is not a copy of a print.   

[Ron Marquardt]

The picture posted by George and Pete is one of a series of five taken by Joe bennett.  The other four are for Archive Only, and I can't post them, but anyone is welcome to come by my house and view them at their leisure.  Please call first to make sure I am at home.  (812) 876-4321

I have attached another photo taken at the scene, this from the Zeke Kaufmann collection, but I don't know who the photographer is.  It may well be another Bennett photo, he seemed to be working on the north end around that time. but I have no confirmation of that.  It appears to have been taken a day or two later than the other photos.  / Ron

PS, please note the derailment happened on 4-4-24, and the line was reopened to traffic five days later on 4-9-24.

[Ken Weller]

More pics of the 1924 wreck on the Wabash River bridge north of Lafayette.

I believe this was caused by something sticking out from a freight car.

I wonder if anything is still down in the river . . . .

[Pete Pedigo]

This is the close up I was referring to.  I scanned the original at 1200 dpi to get the detail of what was in the freight cars.  I must have posted that with the overall pictures back when I bought it.  I just pulled out the picture.  It is mounted on one of those old fake cardboard type of frames.  No date or any marking on the back.  So I guess we established the date, or it was in the description on ebay.

[Gene Remaly]

The focus of those old photos always amazes me. Would some camera buff explain that to us ?

Weller--- I want one of those mashed up automobiles----would you put on your wet suit and go look for one   --please----

[George Lortz]

It's hard to believe that it only took five days for the Monon to open this up.  They must have placed some sort of temporary bridge in first and later rebuilt it completely.  Anyone know?

George L.

[Victor Sauerheber]

George, If you look at the third picture it looks like they have already started driving piles into the river bed and laying stringers, making a temporary trestle to get the line going as soon as possible.  Vic