Miami Union

June 1, 1878

LAWDER, EDWARD - ACCIDENT ON THE D. & M. RAILROAD - Two Freight Trains Collide - Engineer Ed. Lawder Died at His Post - With one hand on the throttle and the other on the lever - 15 Freight Cars Ditched - An accident occurred on the Dayton & Michigan Railroad, at Swanders Station, twenty-six miles north of Troy, last Thursday morning, which resulted in the death of engineer Edwin Lawder, and injury to Fireman, James Folly. The circumstances of the accident, as far as we can learn, were as follows: No 16 through freight which is due at Troy at 11:40 p.m. left here Thursday morning at 12:08 with orders to pass No. 7, through Southern-bound freight at Swanders. When approaching Swanders Station the engineer Mr. Ed. Lawder saw train No. 7 at a stand-still, as he supposed on the sidetrack. The switch at this place is on the West side of the track and as the engineer could not command a good view from his window in the cab he called to brakeman ---- Brown who was in the fireman's seat, to know if No. 7 was on the side track. This was between two and three o'clock in the morning, and as it was raining the brakeman could not see distinctly but replied that he thought it was. The engineer took another look and was satisfied that his track was all clear, so he did not check up. When within about twenty cars length of No. 7 the fireman, James Folly, shouted that they were mistaken. At once Folly and Brown jumped from the engine; the former receiving some bad injuries. Engineer Lawder remained at his post, however, although, he foresaw that a collision was unavoidable. He closed the throttle valve, and reversed the engine, but all to no avail, for in an instant more the two iron horses collided with tremendous force and the engineer was buried in the wreck. The engines were badly wrecked, together with their tenders, and fifteen freight cars were ditched. A conductor who viewed the wreck a few hours afterwards informed us that it was one of the worst wrecks he had ever seen. It was several hours after before the body of the engineer was recovered, and he was found wedged in such a position as showed plainly that he died at his post. Ed. Lawder was about 40 years old, and has been employed on the D. & M. for a number of years. His home was at Lima, where he had a wife, but no family.

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