A train carrying performers and animals from the Walter L. Main Circus lost control going down a steep hill, picking up speed too fast. The train derailed going around a curve, its cars sailing out into the night, rolling down an embankment, and stacking up one on top of another. Five people lost their lives in the disaster. About 50 horses were killed outright, as they were riding in the forward cars which ended up at the bottom of the pile. The elephants survived and the gorilla, billed as a “Man-Slayer,” was quickly captured.
Other animals, however, bolted into the twilight. A tiger was later killed after attacking a cow on a nearby farm. Even more animals were, well, never seen again.
The town of Tyrone still lives with the legacy of the crash.
Construction crews working near the site routinely find bits of circus train.
The evening herald. (Shenandoah, Pa.), 31 May 1893.
Continued Here
The evening herald. (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, May 31, 1893, THIRD EDITION, Image 1 « Chronicling America « Library of Congress
Other animals, however, bolted into the twilight. A tiger was later killed after attacking a cow on a nearby farm. Even more animals were, well, never seen again.
The town of Tyrone still lives with the legacy of the crash.
Construction crews working near the site routinely find bits of circus train.
The evening herald. (Shenandoah, Pa.), 31 May 1893.
Continued Here
The evening herald. (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, May 31, 1893, THIRD EDITION, Image 1 « Chronicling America « Library of Congress
