On August 2nd, 1877 a train consisting of an engine and one car, the latter containing 56 men en route for Mahanoy City, was badly wrecked near Tamaqua. The train collided with a construction train, and the engine was thrown down an embankment. Col. Wynkoop, who commanded the party, was slightly bruised, but the others escaped unhurt.

    This was a specially requisitioned train transporting a number of men detailed to guard one of the bridges on the Catawissa Road near Girard Manor from sabotage by trainmen who had gone out in support of striking coal miners.

    At Mintzer's Switch a lot of repairmen had their truck on the track, when suddenly they heard the train coming. They managed to jerk the truck half way off the track before the engine struck it, knocking it in pieces. The locomotive jumped the track and rolled over down the embankment on the right side, while the car containing the guards tipped over towards the mountain side.

    A scene of the direst confusion ensued. After the train had stopped, the men not knowing what caused the "run off," cocked their guns to do some shooting, as they were under the impression that the train had been thrown off the track by the strikers, and as some men were from Pottsville, and others from Tamaqua, and unacquainted with each other, they came very near pitching into each other. Col. Wynkoop remained perfectly cool, while the men were ready for a fight in a moment.

    I'm not entirely sure which Col. Wynkoop this was, as there were two possible candidates in the State at the time, Col. John Estill Wynkoop and his youngest brother, Col. Edward Wanshaer Wynkoop. As I learn more I'll keep you posted.

    In the meantime enjoy the Colonel's exploits.

    Chris

A Train Wrecked.
     From the Daily Constitution, Friday, 3 August, 1877.

Other Points In The Coal Region.
     From the New York Times, Friday, 3 August, 1877.

Accident--Narrow Escape.
     From the Tamaqua Courier, Saturday, 4 August, 1877, page 3, col. 3.

Pottsville Men Bulldozed.
     From the Tamaqua Courier, Saturday, 11 August, 1877, page 3, col. 4.