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The Benzie Banner Jan. 8, 1908

One of the new Ann Arbor engines went south Tuesday with fifty loaded cars.

The Owosso Times Jan. 10, 1908

According to an Ann Arbor dispatch to the Detroit Free Press, Engineer Stever, of this city, who is in the hospital at Ann Arbor and has there since an accident overtook his special train bearing Sousa's band from Toledo to Ann Arbor, probably die. The interlocker was suddenly turned against the train at Milan and Mr. Stever jumped, striking a coal car. It is said that his spinal cord is oozing out as the result of the injury and his condition is grave. Sousa went went home to New York shortly after the wreck, because of nervous shock and his concert tour has been canceled.

The Owosso Times Jan. 17, 1908

The balance of the Ann Arbor depot has been moved here on flat cars from Durand. Half of the building was brought to Owosso when the division was moved.

The Benzie Banner Jan. 23, 1908

Fought the Storm.

The car ferry Manistique was caught out in the big storm on Lake Michigan, and had a severe battle with the gale and the blizzard. She made port safely, however. The Manistique last week struck a rock outside of Manistique harbor and later sank at a dock at that port. She was then started for Milwaukee to receive re pairs.

The Benzie Banner Jan. 23, 1908

Thomas Turnbull.- formerly of Ann Arbor and Toledo, who has had charge of buildings and bridges on the Ann Arbor railroad for several years, has been appointed superintendent of construction for both the Ann Arbor and the D.. T. & L. and has assumed his new duties.

The Evening Argus Jan. 23, 1908

Responsible For Death of Ann Arbor Engineer Ganzhorn

Did Not Employ Ordinary Safety Measures When He Went Into Place of Danger

The remains of Arthur Ganzhorn, the Ann Arbor engineer who was killed in the yards in Cadillac, Tuesday by being run over by his own engine, was conveyed to his home at Ann Arbor on the early morning train yesterday. A delegation of the American Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen came up from Owosso at midnight and accompanied the remains south at 5 o'clock. Coroner Ralston decoded that there was no need of an inquest. Ganzhorn had been made an engineer but a short time ago, having been a fireman seven years. The accident which caused the man to lose his life is not chargeable to anyone but himself. He knew that the switching crew were soon to couple his caboose on the rear of his train. Evidently he thought he could make the adjustment necessary by reason of a hot box on one of his drivers and get of the way before the caboose came on. But he did not set his air brake which would have withstood the impact of the caboose as it was kicked back by the switch engine. He remained under the engine longer than he expected, and when the caboose struck the rear of the train the slack was taken up just enough to catch the man in his perilous position and kill him.

The funeral of the deceased will be held from the home in Ann Arbor Friday afternoon at ? O'clock. A number of railroad men from Owosso will attend.

The Owosso Times Jan. 24., 1908

The Ann Arbor car shops are now working on a five hour schedule. It is not believed that this will be maintained any length of time as there is plenty of work to do.

The Evening Argus Jan. 28, 1908

ENGINEER IS DEAD

Charles W. Stever Passed Away This Morning In Ann Arbor

Spine Had Begin to Rot Away as Result of Injuries Several Weeks Ago When Ann Arbor Train Was Derailed.

Charles W. Stever the Ann Arbor passenger engineer who was injured several weeks ago when the train carrying Sousa's band was derailed died this morning at 3 o'clock at the hospital in Ann Arbor where he was taken soon after the accident. The worst of the injuries received by Mr. Stever was in his spine, a portion of which had begun to rot away when death came. The lower part of his body had been paralyzed since the accident. His family was notified yesterday that he could live but a few hours, and Mrs. Stever, her son Glen who is employed in the Ann Arbor shops, and her young daughter were at his bedside when he died.

Mr. Stever was of middle age, and had been connected with the Ann Arbor as engineer for many years/ He was considered one of the most faithful men in the service of the company. He had formerly lived in Owosso, and moved back here about four years ago from Milan to reside, making for himself a comfortable home on Comstock street. The remains will probably be taken to Milan for burial.

T. J. Tubbs of the brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers of which the decreased was a member, went to Ann Arbor this morning, and will accompany the remains to their destination. Arrangements for the funeral will be publisher later.

The Evening Argus Jan. 30, 1908

From Ann Arbor Smashup at Durand the Other Day

Passengers Thrown Around Like Ten Pins But No Serious Injuries Resulted.

The Durand Express says:

Nothing but luck saved the Ann Arbor railroad from a most serious wreck one day last week, and at the same time two Durand people had experiences they do not want to undergo again. It was the early morning northbound train, which starts from this point. Charles Pillans was the engineer and had gotten the train under good motion, when in the north end of the yards he suddenly saw a freight train standing on the main line straight in front of him. He reversed the lever, and he and his fireman jumped. There was a loud crash, and the passenger train stopped “instanter.” E. Henry was sitting on the arm of a seat when the crash came. The first thing he knew he was lying flat on his back directly in the middle of the aisle. He was scared, in a measure, and, too, his position on the floor made him laugh. Miss Elizabeth Brack, the other Durand passenger on the train, was hit in the face by the turning of the seat in front of her. Every seat in the car was turned by the force of the impact. There were just two other passengers in the train, they being a pair of traveling men who were sitting facing each other and were interested in a debate of the sport of wrestling. One of these gentlemen, Zimmerman by name and traveling for Bordan & Co., had just passed the remark in a spirited way. “There will be something doing when Shelp and Watson rub noses.” With that, the shock came, and the two debaters bumped noses in a fierce manner. Both men were injured, not seriously, and both were scared. The yelled bloody murder for about ten seconds, when they caught sight of Henry lying in the aisle and then nothing but laughs went. Engineer Pillans injured a foot in jumping, and was unable to run his train only as far as Owosso. The pilot of the engine was demolished and it was taken to the shops for repairs. It is said the freight that blocked the way was in charge of a green crew off of the D. T. & I., who were ignorant of signals, schedule of passenger trains or anything else. Very fortunately the wind was from the south and Engineer Pillans did not have a full head of steam. If he had been facing a strong wind there would have been a bad wreck as he had no chance to stop his train in time to avoid the collision.

The Evening Argus Feb. 1, 1908

SHOPS ARE CLOSED

Nothing Doing at Local Ann Arbor Headquarters

Bulletin Says Reopening is Indefinite, and Necessary Offices Will go to Toledo

The Ann Arbor shops are closed. No wheel is turning nor is the sound of a hammer to be heard in the neighborhood. The only men employed are a small crew shoveling snow away from the tracks around the turntable, and just enough round house helpers to keep steam up in the locomotives required for service.

The shops were closed Thursday. This morning a bulletin was posted stating that they would continue closed for an indefinite time. This effects about 140 men who have of late been. A significant action is the discharge of clerks in the local offices. The business of these offices will now be taken care of at the new railroad headquarters in Toledo. Frank Collamer has tendered the position of chief clerk in the Toledo office, but will probably decline it. Other clerks here whose services are dispensed with are Frank Phillips, Claude Stewart and Louis Johnson. R. R. Fox, secretary and treasurer of the Railroad Relief association will go to Toledo next week to remain. Trainmen are being laid off by the road, and sections are being consolidated in order to reduce the force. Even at this, section men have been working but eight hours a day on some divisions. It is reported that all engines not capable of making 10,000 miles a month will be consign to the scrap heap. All this saving at the expense of the service, railroad men declare can mean but one thing. They cannot see how it is possible for a road to continue to operate with its repair shops out of commission, and all other facilities curtailed.

The Evening Argus Feb. 5, 1908

Owosso Brakeman On Ann Arbor Perhaps Fatally Hurt

Accident Occurred at Milan Last Night – is Being Treated at Ann Arbor Hospital

George B. Campbell, aged 23, a brakeman on the Ann Arbor is the latest victim of the accident epidemic on that road, and it is feared that he is fatally injured.

While pulling into Milan last night on a south – bound freight on which he was doing service Campbell was hanging to the ladder of the side of a car. A train was standing on the side-track the end car being near to the switch. Campbell overestimated the distance the car on which he was hanging would pass from the end of the stationary car. As a result he was truck, torn from the ladder and rolled some distance. His collar bone and arm and two ribs were broken, and sustained internal injuries. Conductor Tate who was in charge of the train instructions that the locomotive be run back a few miles to Ann Arbor with the injured man and he is now receiving treatment at the university hospital. Campbell is 23 years old and married, but has no children. Mrs. Campbell was the widow of Charles Nye who died several years ago as the result of injuries received while performing his duties as a trainman on the Ann Arbor road.

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have been residing at 524 Grover street. He has been in the service of the road for several years and has the reputation of a popular and efficient employe. Mrs. Campbell went to Ann Arbor this morning.

The Evening Argus Feb. 6, 1908

The Ann Arbor train southbound that should have reached Owosso at about 5 o'clock last evening, was reported stalled in the snowdrifts north of Cadillac this morning. The 11 o'clock southbound was of course in the same predicament, the engineers reporting that in some places north the drifts are so deep that the snow is on a level with the windows of the locomotive cabs. The sleet and the rain of last night has not helped matters making the snow heavy and soggy, and difficult to move.

The engineer of a locomotive pushing the snow plow got stalled in a drift north on the line yesterday and when within sight of a water tank was compelled to put out his fires because his water supply had become exhausted.

The Owosso Times Feb. 7, 1908

Ann Arbor Shops Closed

While but a part of the men employed at the Ann Arbor car shops have been kept busy during the winter months and the schedule had been reduced to five hours per day, it was not thought the shops would be closed entirely and the hope was general that full time would soon be the rule. This hope was dispelled when a notice was posted Saturday stating that the shops would be closed indefinitely. It is understood that mush of the repair work to be done at Jackson, Ohio, in the shops of the D., T. & I. Ry., which has been operated under under the same management as the Ann Arbor. However, as the latter road went into the hands of a receiver Saturday it is thought possible that work may by resumed here sooner than had been anticipated.

The Owosso Times Feb. 7, 1908

D. T. & I in Hands of Receiver.

Detroit, Feb. 3.--The Detroit, Toledo &Ironton Railroad, of which Eugene Zimmerman, of Cincinnati, is president, went into the hands of a receiver Saturday on application of the Knickerbocker Trust company, of New York, which alleged that the road had defaulted on the coupons of $10,000,000 worth of outstanding bonds. District Judge Swan, of the federal court here appointed as receivers George K. Lowell, vice-president and general manager of the road and Benjamin F. Warren, of Detroit, who is the railroad's general counsel.

The appointment of the receivers followed the filing of a bill by by the Knickerbocker Trust company of New York, which sued to foreclose a trust mortgage executed to that institution, securing $22,000,000 of the road's bonds, of which only $10,000,000 has been issued. Earl F. Drake, of Detroit, appeared in court for the defendant and filed an answer, admitting the default. As the road owns property in two federal districts in Ohio, duplicate bills in foreclosure were were filed in the United States circuit courts of Toledo and Columbus. This followed immediately the action of the Detroit court and orders were entered at both the former points for the appointment of the above receivers, who have given bonds in the sum of $50,000 each.

The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton is a corporation formed under the laws of Ohio, in May, 1905, and is a reorganization of the Detroit Southern, whose property was sold under under foreclosure at that time. It operates a total of 435 miles miles between Detroit and Tecumseh, in Michigan, and Ironton, on the border of the West Virginia coal field in coal.

The Evening Argus Feb. 25, 1908

WANTED TO KNOW

Ann Arbor Engine Which Dropped Crown Sheet Ordered Out of Train

By State Railroad Commissioner Who Is Said to Have Examined it Before it Reached Shops.

In an unofficial manner the information has reached this city that while Ann Arbor engine No. 45, the one in which the crown sheet dropped down in the yards here last Monday badly scalding the fireman , Lawrence Doyle, was taken to Owosso, one of the state railroad commissioners met the train of which the engine was a part and compelled the crew to set the engine out at Shepherd. The reason for this action is said to be that the railroad commissioner was desirous of examining the boiler of the engine before it arrived at the Owosso shops, where it was to be repaired. The commissioner desired to learn whether or not the railroad company was at fault in the matter. That is, whether or not the officials knew that the boiler was in a condition that made it dangerous to be used,and whether or not the boiler was in a dangerous condition. – Cadillac News.

The Evening Argus Mar. 7, 1908

Caused By Wash-Out On Ann Arbor Near Ashley

Freight Traffic is Held Up and Passengers Are Being Transferred

After having bucked immense snow drifts and formations of ice about half the winter to the great determent of its train schedule the Ann Arbor railroad is now up against trouble of a different character.

A washout below Ann Arbor on the line caused much worry last week. Now the Maple river is over its banks, and has washed out the track about two miles south of Ashley.

Between 700 and 800 feet of ballast has been washed away, and freight trains are tied up at stations each side of the washout. Passengers are being transferred across it. The railroad company has had a steam shovel working all winter to cut a channel to divert water from the tracks but on account of the heavy ice the new channel is blocked. It will take several days to repair the damage to the track.

Engine No. 112 which started from from Owosso for the scene of the washout yesterday, was delayed about two hours by being derailed in the local yards. A gang of men from this city was sent to the trouble point to lay planks across the washout to afford passengers safe footing. The passenger schedule is badly out of joint again.

The Toledo News-Bee March 7, 1908

ANN ARBOR BRIDGE IS WRECKED

High water in Ten Mile creek at noon on Saturday damaged the Ann Arbor bridge across the creek at Hallet to such an extent that trains on these roads are using the tracks of the Terminal Belt line to reach Toledo.

Just what damage was done to the bridge cannot be learned. Hallet is about 4 miles northwest of Toledo.

The Owosso Times April 10, 1908

Ann Arbor passenger train No. 3 which left Owosso at 6:33 Tuesday evening, was derailed at Mt. Pleasant, but fortunately no one was seriously injured and the train remained right side up. Joe Goodell was conductor and James Hurst engineer of the train.

The Evening Argus Apr. 15, 1908

ASKS $15,000 FOR HAND

Andrew Niblock Sues Ann Arbor Railroad Company for That Sum

Crane Broke in Shops and Axle Fell on Right Hand Severing One Finger

Andrew Niblock, of Owosso, has brought suit against the Ann Arbor Company for $15,000 through Attorney Odell Chapman. Mr. Niblock was working in the shops less than a year ago, when a crane broke and as consequence a heavy axle dropped on his right hand. One finger was cut off, and the plaintiff avers that the hand was rendered useless for all time. The railroad is held responsible because of alleged negligence in failing to keep the crane in repair.

The Owosso Times April 17, 1908

The Ann Arbor Railroad has been ordered by council(Owosso) to repair sidewalks which have been damaged or torn up by the company's trains.

The Owosso Times April 24, 1908

A freight train on the Ann Arbor going north Monday morning was derailed at Henrietta by a broken frog, several merchandise cars being badly broken up. No one was injured and as the track was alongside a spur traffic was not delayed.

The Owosso Times May 1, 1908

E. N. Holcomb has been succeeded by W. G. Mable as dispatcher on the Ann Arbor Railroad..

The Benzie Banner June 11, 1908

W. C. Miller is the new agent at the Beulah depot

The Owosso Times July 3, 1908

The Ann Arbor Railway dispatchers' office is being moved to the lawn between the depot and the freight office.

The Benzie Banner July 9, 1908

The Ping Pong now makes trips daily between Beulah and civilization, as follows: Leave Beulah for Frankfort at 8:40 a. m., 1:50, 4:20, 5:40, 6:30, 8:35 and 10:30 p. m..

The Owosso Times July 10, 1908

Ann Arbor Wreck.

Southbound freight train No. 112 on the Ann Arbor ran into an open switch at Ann Arbor., Monday, throwing the engine from the track, turn it completely over and derailing several cars. The train was running at high speed when Engineer J. Blake saw the open switch and immediately applied the air-brake but not in time to stop the train. Both Engineer Blake and Fireman John Vandermark escaped injury but Conductor Chas. Moody, who jumped when the train ran onto the switch, sustained a badly crushed ankle which may leave him a permanent cripple.

The Owosso Times July 10, 1908

Toledo Ice Men Pay Fine

The Toledo Ice and Coal company has pleaded guilty to the charge of accepting rebates from the Ann Arbor railroad and has paid a fine of $3,750.

The Evening Argus Aug. 3, 1908

Reported That Ann Arbor railroad Has Passed Into Hands of Old Triumvirate

ANNOUNCEMENT SEPT. 1

Rehabilitation of The Road is Looked For – Owosso Depot to be Enlarged, Believed Company is Willing to Help Erect Union Station.

There is a well defined rumor that a change of management in the Ann Arbor Railroad has taken place, which will, it is believed, result in the rehabilitation of that road and again put it among the list of prosperous and paying railroad properties.

The statement is made by persons in a position to know, that the management of the Ann Arbor has again passed to Wellington R. Burt, Harry W. Ashley and Joseph Ramsey, the triumvirate that put the road into the place it occupied in the days of its greatest prosperity. It is further asserted that there will be at least a working connection between this railroad and the C. H. & D. and the Pere Marquette. The full extent of the importance of the change cannot be known until the official announcement is made, which may not come until about September 1^st. In the meantime, however, workmen are engaged in remodeling the Cherry street depot at Toledo, used by the Ann Arbor before the amalgamation with the D T. & I. There is evidence of industry along the line and the roadbed on the north end is being improved.

Another rumor has it that the company will very soon enlarge or remodel its present passenger depot in this city. The Ann Arbor believes it has a better location for a depot, than any of the roads, entering Owosso. It is believed however the company would not be adverse to a union depot if it is located Cedar street where it could be reached from the “Y.” The work contemplated on the old depot would not prevent the Ann Arbor from joining other roads in the erection of a union station. In the railroad shops, at this point, an increased number of men have been put on in all departments and some of them are running at nearly full force. The freight business has increased wonderfully in the last two weeks, and this will call into use more freight cars. Like many other roads in the country, the Ann Arbor has many disabled cars lying on the sidetracks and these must be repaired before they can be used. The passenger traffic is also very heavy for the season, and altogether the indications point to a very busy season for the railroad which will be welcome news to the working men, many of whom have been running on short time for months.

The Benzie Banner Aug. 6, 1908

The Ping exchanged itself for another car Monday.

The Owosso Times Aug. 7, 1908

DENIES RAILROAD DEAL

W. R. Burt Says That He Will Not Take Over Ann Arbor

Saginaw, Mich., Aug. 5.--Asked about the report that he and others formerly associated with with him in its control, were to resume management of the Ann Arbor railroad, September 12, W. R. Burt said, “ That is not so. I am not to resume connection with the management of the railroad and I know of no change such as you state that are in contemplation.

The Evening Argus Aug 19, 1908

Last night's midnight Ann Arbor train, brought from Temple, Clare county, a gang of about 15 drunken men who unloaded at Marion. The conductor declared that every night he is bothered with from 15 to 30 such fellows who go down on the early evening train from the dry towns on that road, put in a few hours getting drunk and then make night hideous on their return. – Cadillac News

The Evening Argus Aug. 21, 1908

VERITABLE BEE HIVE

Ann Arbor Yards and Shops Present a Scene of Great Activity

Equipment and Power Insufficient To Keep Up With Tonnage of Freight – Interesting Shop News

Ann Arbor shops and yards present a scene of great activity these days. The force of men in all departments is practically full, and they are working nine and a half hours a day. The tonnage of freight to be handled is so great the road can scarcely keep up with it, owing in part to the lack of power and equipment. The extent of business can be realized from the fact that last Sunday the Ann Arbor moved 165 cars of freight from Manhattan, and Thursday morning there were 175 waiting to be hooked onto.

Sam Beelby, former store-keeper and now occupying the same position at Jackson, Ohio, with the D. T. & I. Has been spending two or three days here.

The machine shop is full of engines and repairs are being rushed with all speed. No. 37, which has been used as a switch engine, is being rebuilt, a pilot added, and will go out in a few days and be used on a local freight. Engines No. 108 and 109, laid up since last winter because of defective fire boxes, will be ready for commission in a month. No. 49 will go out Saturday, 47 will be ready for service in a week, 51, one of the big ones, is undergoing repairs after lying dead since the shops shut down. In addition to these, it is expect two large new engines will be received in time for the heavy fall business.

All the old men are back in the shops, and a good many new hands have been put on. Gus McCarty and John McCurdy were put on this week. The repair work is very heavy as all the D. T & I. Engines and coaches are brought here for repairs.

The coach shop is being re-roofed, George Suter and his gang just turned out Ann Arbor coach No. 20 and D. T. & I. Coach No. 26. Next week D. T. & I. Baggage cars 4 and 6 and private car No. 200 will be in the shop. In addition to this work, an average of 20 freight cars are being repaired each week, and put in commission.

James Lundy, foreman of the car department, is quite sick at his home on Hugging street.

A tank track is being laid just east of the road house, which will be a convenience.

Firemen Fred Somers left this morning on a three weeks leave of absence. He will take a trip to Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Detroit.

On account of the increased traffic on the road, the following firemen have passed a satisfactory examination and are now running engines: B. E. Root, V. D. Almindinger, E. J. Doran, B. Mills and W. E. Garvia.

Fred Frye was in Flint Wednesday.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Frye and the latter's cousin, Mrs. Swartzmiller, of Chesaning left today for a two weeks visit at Muskoka Lake, Ont., Can.

R. H. Gladdon has resumed his duties in the roundhouse house after a month leave of absence.

The Owosso Times Aug. 21, 1908

Improving Business for the Ann Arbor Railroad

J. A. Shrubel, assistant to the vice president and general manager, and Robert W. Tawse, superintendent of the motive power of the D. T. & I. And Ann Arbor railroads, were in the city the first of the week, and looked over the interests of the rods here.

The Ann Arbor is in excellent condition, especially when the general railroad situation of the country is considered. The shops at this point has increased the number of men employed and the hours are now nearer full time and force than any road in the country. Business conditions are steadily improving, the passenger traffic is very heavy and freight is moving in much larger quantities than for months, It is confidently expected that conditions will continue from this time, and the early fall or winter will see things moving about the rate that existed before the depression that came on last winter.

“We are now laying forty miles of track from Thompsonville south.” said Mr. Strubel, “using $250,000 worth of heavy steel rails and 200,000 ties the whole representing an investment of $500,000. When this is is completed it likely more track improvement will be undertaken, for it is the policy of General Manager Lowell to put the Ann Arbor in the best condition.

“People generally do not realize what Mr. Lowell has done for the Ann Arbor in the eighteen months he has been connected with the road. It takes time to get big improvements under way, but since he has been in charge he has brought several large engines and three of the largest freight engines in the country will be put on here in a very short time. He has given the two solid vestibuled trains, as fine as any to be seen in the state. You know all the work on the D. T. & I. Is brought to the Owosso shops. One passenger coach has just been finished and next week two more will be brought here for repairs. This will require the labor of twelve men for a month, so you see it means it means a good deal for Owosso to have this work brought here. Ann Arbor ferry No. 1 has just been overhauled at a cost of $80,000, and is now ready for for the heavy freight traffic across the lake. Altogether, the outlook for the Ann Arbor is very bright, and Owosso has nothing to fear for the future.”

Such information coming from the source, is very encouraging and will interest all of our citizens.

The Toledo News-Bee Sept. 9, 1908

RAMSEY WILL BE PRESIDENT OF ANN ARBOR

Joseph Ramsey, jr., former president of the Wabash railroad and the man who planned the Toledo crosstown railroad project, will be the new president of the Ann Arbor railroad. It was announced by a Toledo man who is in close touch with the situation, on Wednesday morning that Mr. Ramsey will be selected president at the meeting at the stockholders of the Ann Arbor at Durand, Mich., next week. Mr. Ramsey is chairman of one of the holder's committees of the Ann Arbor road.

The Evening Argus Sept. 11, 1908

ANN ARBOR NOTES

Engine 105 is now in the shops and will receive general repairs.

William Robbins a machinist, has returned to work after having been laid up a few days on account of the accidental injury to his hand.

A. J. Hutchinson has returned to work after being off a few days, attending the fair.

The pile driver,which is used in the construction of bridges, is in the local yards and will receive light repairs.

Ed Sweeny and daughter, Miss Donna, have returned from a visit with relatives in Arcadia.

William Barnes has resigned his position in the machine shop and he leaves soon for Lancaster, Pa., where he will work for the Rainer Automobile company.

Engines 46 and 43 are in the shops and will receive general repairs.

Engine 1 was taken out of the shops Thursday, and will resume switching in the yards there.

General Foreman A. T. Strubel was in Toledo Wednesday on railroad business.

E. Bency is repairing and making new bodies for steel wheel barrows to be used in Owosso and on the road.

The company has purchased six new air pumps which will be used in local shops, to supply engines.

Bert Pearsall has accepted a position as boilermaker's helper.

G. Ripon of this city has accepted a position as helper in the the blacksmith shop.

Joseph Van Wagonner has resigned his position in the blacksmith shop.

Painter Bert Gage was in Detroit Thursday playing with the Elk's band at the fair.

The Benzie Banner Sept. 11, 1908

Railroad engine No. 52 came in Tues 1 day morning in a crippled condition but the engineer with the assistance o f, the train crew, soon put her" into a revolving condition again.

The Toledo News-Bee Sept. 17, 1908

FOREST FIRE THREATENS TOLEDOANS?

Beulah, Mich., at Crystal lake, on the Ann Arbor railroad, is threatened by the Michigan forest fires, according to a rumor in circulation here late on Thursday afternoon.

Ann Arbor railroad official say they have been unable to get into communication with Beulah by wire.

Several Toledo people have cottages at Crystal lake, which is located in one of the densest parts of the Michigan lumber region.

Benzie Banner Sept. 18, 1908

(Beulah) The Ping has stopped its regular trips to Frankfort and back

Benzie Banner Sept. 18, 1908

(Beulah) Seems as though the 7:15 a. m. train consumed several more hours than it was marked on the time table. Tuesday.

The Owosso Times Sept. 19, 1908

Wreck on the Ann Arbor Railroad

Ann Arbor engines Nos. 19 and 103 collided near Rosebush early Thursday morning, with the rsult that No. 19 was demolished, the track was blocked for several hours and several of the crews of the locomotives were injured. Fortunately none of them fatally.

Benjamin Priest, of this city, left Owosso after midnight as second No. 5 with 19, making the the trip light, as he was going north to run on work train at Park Lake. He had trouble with his engine on the journey, causing delay, and it is alleged was not held held at Mt. Pleasant, as he should have been, to meet not. 103, one of of the “bull-hunks,” southbound with a heavy train. They met head on, an No. 19 literally crawled beneath the heavy southbound locomotive. Mr. Priest was not found for some time by rescuers and was unconscious and considerably bruised.

No. 2, the morning passenger, due here a 8:53, was delayed two hours by the wreck. The injured were brought to Owosso on No. 2.

The others injured were J. H. Radford, of East Exchange street, engine of the big engine, Brakeman William Rogers, of 103, of Owosso, and Fireman Lloyd Shorter, of 19, Whose parents live at Traverse City. Conductor Carl Ruelle and Brakeman Charles Cook, of Owosso, were also, but escaped with a few bruises.

Mr. Radford is painfully scalded about the arms, legs and body, and his right leg is bruised. He was taken to his home in a carriage when No. 2 got in at 12:20. Mr. Rogers was able to walk but his right arm was burned by escaping steam, and his face and neck also show traces of burning. He was was badly bruised.

Shorter will probably die. His whole body was scalded, and he was also cut and bruised. He was taken off the train at Mt. Pleasant.

No one knew that trouble was impending until the engines came together. The air was thick with smoke from the burning forests, and there was absolutely no warning and no chance to jump. It is lucky that No.. 19 had no train behind her to give momentum, or the wreck would have been much worse.

Benzie Banner Oct,2, 1908
“Well, a glorious rain came pouring down Sunday evening and successfully squelched the tormenting fires that were rapidly consuming us and threatening the village with destruction While considerable damage was done to timberland near the village, the greatest loss occurred at Homestead, where the fire got beyond all control and threatened to wipe out the entire village. The boarding house, four coal kilns and several hundred cords of woods and a large quantity of logs were destroyed and about twenty shingled shanties in the vicinity of the kilns were burned, but fortunately no lives were lost. The loss is hard to estimate at this time. The kilns will be rebuilt it is said.”

The Owosso Times Oct. 2, 1908

Burdette Benchly discovered a broken rail on the Ann Arbor railroad near Vernon, Thursday, and stopped an approaching freight train, averting a wreck.

The Owosso Times Oct. 16, 1908

Ann Ann arbor trains now leave the city as follows: North, 6:28 a. m., 11:18 a. m., 6:40 p. m. ; south, 9:02 a. m., 5:02 p: m., 11:38 p. m.

The Evening Argus Oct. 29, 1908

While Between Cars of the Ann Arbor Train Was Terribly Hurt By Light Collision.

Through Attorneys Walsh & Pardee, Charles S. Kane of Owosso, formerly employed as a conductor on the Ann Arbor road, began suit today for $30,000 damages against the Pere Marquette Railroad company. The action was started in the Gratiot county circuit court at Ithaca.

May 12 last, Kane was conductor in charge of freight train number 20, southbound. The Ann Arbor train had back in on the transfer track connection the Ann Arbor and the Pere Marquette roads, Alma. While the train was stationary and Kane was between two cars, a Pere Marquette backed in on the transfer track, it is alleged, and gently bumped into the Ann Arbor train.

Kane was pinned between the cars and had the force of contact been, would have been killed. As it was he was permanently incapacitated for duty, it is set forth, and an operation will be necessary for the removal of one of his kidneys.

Kane is 29 years old and resides on Grover street in this city with his wife and two children. He is receiving treatment at home.

The Owosso Times Nov. 20, 1908

Separate Ann Arbor and D. T. & I.

Steps will be taken within a month according to present plans for a separation of the Ann Arbor from the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton, thus carrying out the terms of an agreement reached some time ago between conflicting interests in the properties. Formal announcement is made of the terms of the adjust between the Hollins interests and the Detroit, Toledo Toledo & Ironton noteholders' committee, headed by Joseph Ramsey,Jr. Which secured a majority of the $5,500,000 Detroit, Toledo & Ironton notes and was thereby placed in position to obtain control of of the Ann Arbor. These notes are secured by $5,350,000 stock of the Ann Arbor company and $5,000,000 Detroit, Toledo & Ironton consolidated mortgage bonds.

Briefly stated, the plan provides that H. B. Hollins & Co. and their associates shall receive the $,000,000 Detroit, Toledo & Ironton bonds and the Ramsey committee shall receive the $5,350,00 Ann Arbor stock, forming the the collateral for the notes. For the purpose of such exchange of interests the value of each note has been arbitrarily assumed to be $909.09, of which 70 per cent is assumed as the of the noteholders' interest in the Ann Arbor stock. From the circular issued it appears that H. B. Hollins & Co. and their associates control $1,700,000 of the notes, while the Ramsey committee controls $3,000,000, all of which are to be deposited under the plan.

Two Killed Several Injured In Head-On Collision.
Lakeland Michigan – It was close to 3:30 AM, on November 21, 1908, and Owosso native William Ryan, Ann Arbor Railroad Steam Locomotive Engineer was sitting upright, squinting out the window trying to peer through the dense fog. The freight train he was operating was barreling, southbound the tracks towards Toledo Ohio. This D T & I #107 was a 2-8-0 and was built by Brooks, August 1905. The freight train had originated out of Owosso Michigan.

Ryann’s Fireman Andrew Gregan, 25, of Manhattan, Ohio was busy watching the gauges and shoveling in the coal into the firepan under the boiler. On the left side of the steam locomotive Brakeman William Atchinson, 24, was standing and trying to see through the soup that they were blasting through.

They had just come across the railroad diamond at Lakeland and had train orders to proceed south and meet northbound train number 45 at Hamburg just a few miles away.

Number 45 had just met 110 a southbound train at Kirby, south of Hamburg, and was now heading north.

The Train Agent in Hamburg, Emma Bryant, had been telegraphed an order from the Dispatcher in Owosso to stop the southbound train 107 and give him a new order to meet 45 at Kirby instead. Bryant told the Dispatcher that 107 had already gone by.
That was not true for 107 was still many miles north of Hamburg with orders to meet 45 at Hamburg.

Train 45 came through Hamburg heading north without knowledge that extra 107 was barreling at him. Bryant never went out and stopped 45 apparently believing that 45 had already met 107 at Kirby.

On Northbound train 45, Engineer W.O. Draper, 37, was oblivious to the fact that a train was heading his way. Ryan’s Fireman, Owosso native Clifford Collier was feeding shovel loads of coal into the firebox. Head brakeman, Morris Noonan had made his way over the tops of the rail cars to the caboose where he was just starting to eat his lunch.

On number 45, Marvin Depew, from West Branch, a student, was learning about becoming a Fireman. Depew was watching Gregan feed the fire.

Charles McPherson, from Mesick, was riding in one of the steam locomotives, it was never stated which one he was riding on.
As they approached the Huron River Bridge both trains met head-on in the dense fog.

Engineer William Ryan was tossed out of the southbound locomotive he was operating and was killed instantaneously when he landed into the Huron River.

His Fireman Andrew Gregan, 25, of Manhattan, Ohio, was buried under his tender and died when he was pulled out of the wreckage.
Head Brakeman William Atchinson had one ear almost totally ripped off, along with injuring his head and having a leg scalded.
On Train 45, Engineer Draper suffered a broken wrist.

Head Brakeman Morris Noonan hurt his ankle and was banged up as the caboose came to a stop. Noonan rushed to the front and helped the injured and retrieve the bodies of the dead. Noonan also had a camera and took a number of photos that just maybe some of the photos we are sharing.

Student Marvin Depew, from West Branch, suffered scalding to his face and chest.

Fireman Clifford Collier was thrown into the injector and suffered from scalding and hitting his head.

Charles McPherson suffered from head trauma.

Now there was another person on the train that was injured that we haven’t told you about. That is because it was a “Tramp” that was riding in one of the wood boxcars that was turned into matchwood. The reports do not say how bad he was injured.

The body of Ryan was transported back to Owosso and a funeral was held. He left a wife and children behind.

The body of Gregan was transported to his town in Ohio for the funeral.

The reports stated that all the injured were expected to survive.

And what happened to Agent Emma Bryant that completely messed up and whose fault the accident happened? A headline in a local paper stated that she was “Relieved of Duty.”

I could not find anything about Bryant being arrested or charged. Only that she was fired.

There were many wrecks back in the day that was much worse than this one. Train wrecks were so common that there is nothing on Google on this accident except some photos posted.

Much of the information in this story came from The Owosso Evening Argus. I collected most of the photos 40 years ago from a railroad historian. I could not find whether the State or the Feds even did an investigation on this wreck.

The force was so great that it was reported that 16 boxcars and two steam locomotives were stacked up in an area less than 120 feet.

If you notice, there were no rules or laws about people flocking to a wreck and climbing all over it. It is stated that the two bodies were not covered and were left exposed in and near the wreckage for many hours until a medical examiner could make his way to the accident.

Photos: Tom Manke Collection, Pinterest, Google

The Evening Argus Dec. 15, 1908

Ann Arbor Flour Train Makes Best Time Ever Between Frankfort and Toledo

FOUR ENGINES USED

TWENTY TWO Loaded Cars Carried Over 292 Miles in 12 Hours – Indicates improved Conditions

An Ann Arbor railroad flour train made up of 22 cars of export flour from the Minneapolis mills made the trip from Frankfort to Toledo yesterday and this morning, in the record time of 12 hours. This breaks all previous records of the road and puts the Ann Arbor's rivals for the flour traffic, the Pere Marquette and the G., R, & I., completely in the shade. The Flour train drawn by two large D. T. & I. Locomotives, numbers 103 and 112, left Frankfort yesterday afternoon at 2:50 in charge of Engineers Wallace and Webb. The train was given a practically clear track and brief delays reached Toledo at 2:50 this morning – a remarkable run for 292 miles. Ann Arbor engine 101 with Engineer Martin in charge took the train at Cadillac and pulled it through to Owosso. In Owosso it was taken by Ann Arbor engine 108 with Engineer Prendergast in charge. This remarkable running means business for the Ann Arbor, and would indicate that the road bed and equipment are in much better shape than they were a few months ago. A flour train was carried over the Ann Arbor a few days ago in less time than has been made on the rival roads although greater than was consumed in the run of yesterday.

The Benzie Banner Dec. 18, 1908

The coroner's Jury in the case of the Ann Arbor railway wreck near Hamburg on November 21, wherein two persons met death, has placed the blame for the accident on Thomas Lahy, train dispatcher. In annulling an order and not informing the northbound train

The Evening Argus Dec. 18, 1908

TROUBLES ON ANN ARBOR

Rear End Collision at Harrietta and Passenger Trains Held Up Thursday.

One wreck at Harrietta, the north bound passenger train seven stuck in the snow at McBain and the engine on the south bound passenger train stalled Copemish with a broken piston, were the the misfortunes that crowded themselves in the space of four hours on the Ann Arbor this morning (Thursday). Extra freight No. 116 crashed into the rear end of regular southbound train No. 112 at they were taking water at the tank at Harrietta. Full particulars of the wreck could not be learned further than there were seven cars derailed and no one was injured. The north bound passenger due here at 10:30 could not overcome the huge drifts around McBain and a relief engine was sent from here causing it to arrive two hours late. The south bound passenger due here at 12:45 is receiving repairs at Copemish and will be several hours late into the city. – Cadillac News