JOSEPH CURTIN, aged 35, engineer on train 862, Sterling.

H.F. METZLER, aged 30, fireman on train 862, Sterling.

J.A. RUSSELL, aged 26, head brakeman on train 862, Chicago.

O. Houchins, head brakeman on extra train, Peoria.

E.J. WATSON, fireman on extra train, may die.

THOMAS NEVILLE, engineer on extra.

Engineer Joseph Curtin whose home is in Sterling, as well as his fireman, Horace Metzler, were instantly killed as their engine was cut in two by the engine at the head of the extra north bound train. Curtin’s body was buried beneath the debris on his side of the engine, while Metzler’s remains were found horribly crushed lying beneath the cab of the wrecked engine.

Russell, head brakeman on the train, resides in Chicago, and was evidently riding on the engine at the time of the wreck, as his body was found under the boiler.

Houchins, the head brakeman on the other train, was also riding on the engine at the time of the collision and had no chance to jump.

E.J. Watson, the fireman on the north-bound train jumped but was caught under the wreckage and had his shoulder and hands badly crushed, and was also badly scalded, and it is not thought that he can survive.

Thomas Neville, the engineer on the north-bound train, saw that there was but little chance to avert a collision and after shouting a warning to the other men in the cab with him, he jumped and escaped with a slightly sprained ankle and was also badly scalded by the escaping steam.

Ten cars, part of which were in the Peoria freight and part of which were in the extra train, were ditched, and although a wrecking crew from Clinton and one from the P.P. & W. worked during the entire night, not much headway was made in clearing up the tracks where the collision occurred. As soon as possible the dead and injured were taken to Peoria, this being with the exception of Curtin whose body was not taken from under the wreck until late this morning.

Although it has not been definitely decided who is responsible for the terrible wreck, it is stated that it was a case of mistaken orders on the part of the conductor of the north-bound freight. According to report that came from Peoria this morning, William Donichy, who had charge of the extra train, received orders to run to Radnor and then later he received orders to remain at Peoria to meet train 862. The first orders were read to the engineer but they later were forgotten until too late to check the trains and avert the catastrophe.

William Donichy, the unfortunate conductor of the north-bound train for the accident, it is reported has gone insane.

The wreck occurred 500 feet south of the south switch at Limestone. Train No. 862 was traveling down the hill at Radnor at the rate of 25 miles per hour, and as the train from the south had just come around a curve it was utterly impossible for Engineer Curtin to see the train coming towards him in time to stop.

The track out of Peoria is known as a single track road and trains meeting are supposed to pass at the Limestone switch. The North Western does not maintain a dispatcher at Peoria but orders for the handling of trains on this branch come directly from Chicago.

For a long time the Peoria branch has been known by men in railroad circles as the hoodooed branch, and during the past year or two a great many accidents, which have resulted disastrously, have occurred.

Joseph Curtin has been in the employ of the North Western road for 15 years and was always considered a very careful engineer. He has two brothers living, one of them, James being employed on the North Western as an engineer, and Larry, who until he met with an accident while running a train near Creston, was also an employee of the company. He had always lived in Sterling and was a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus and that order will take charge of his remains as soon as they are brought to Sterling, which it is thought will be tonight. Mr. Curtin was married a year ago to Miss Nellie McIntyre of Dixon and his wife resides at the home of his mother in this city.

Horace Metzler, the fireman, who met his death, is also well known in Sterling and has long been an employee of the North Western. He was raised on a farm north of Sterling and educated in a country school, taking up work on the North Western when his parents moved to Sterling. He was married to a daughter of Michael Rael of this city and made his home here always.

J.A. Russell, head brakeman on the train wrecked, is a Chicago man and came to Sterling a few days ago to take the place of J.H. Dillon, who was injured at Nelson on Tuesday.

O. Houchins, head brakeman on the extra freight, E.J. Watson, the fireman, and Thomas Neville, the engineer on the extra train, reside in Peoria.

Mrs. Curtin, on Thursday night, asked her husband not to resume his duties on the road on Friday, but was told by the dead man not to be superstitious.

Horace Metzler had intended to quit railroading on the first of February and had told friends of how he had secured a farm which he intended to work the rest of his life. Yesterday afternoon while in conversation with a prominent business man, Mrs. Metzler stated that her husband was going to quit railroading and that they were going to move onto a farm.

From the way the bodies lay when the engine was raised, it was evident that Curtin, Metzler and Russell had no chance to jump from the engine before it had clashed with the other.

Train 862 is known as the Peoria freight and runs between Sterling and Peoria daily, leaving this city at 8 o’clock.

Engine 1341 has a very long record as being a man-killer and this is not the first time it has figured in wrecks on the Peoria line. The engine is driven regularly by Joseph Whelon and twice he has been able to escape death. About two months ago Whelon was laid off and his run was given to an extra man by the name of Harter, who came from Chicago. While making the run to Peoria, Harter was killed. Day before yesterday Whelon sent word to the station that he wished to lay off on Friday for the purpose of going hunting. His request was granted and the call boy was sent to notify William Wilkinson, but the latter did not want the run, so Curtin was called.

The year of 1909 is starting out bad for the North Western, as during the short period passed no less than nine men met their death beneath the wheels of the trains crossing the Galena division. Four were killed last night; Philip Wigum was killed Sunday; Mel Donichy was killed; one man was killed in Chicago night before last; and M.H. Ward and companion were killed at Ashton. Besides this, a number have been injured in a number of accidents that have occurred.