61st AUCTION - day 4

Desaster Mail: 1897, 26 June, USA, Railway accident at Wabash, Indiana, Post Off

Desaster Mail

---

1897, 26 June, USA, Railway accident at Wabash, Indiana, Post Office official cover from Liberty, Mo, 26.6.97 to P.O. Winchester, Ky, heavily soiled, with message (inquiry request), arrival mark Winchester 29.6.97 on reverse. On 26 June 1897, a cloudburst caused the river to swell up to a torrent stream which severely damaged the Wabash trestle bridge. A nearby farmer recognised the peril situation and waited for nearly an hour by the ruins to signal the danger to the coming train. Unfortunally, the storm reached its peak when the train was approaching, and the engineer, in the midst of the blinding thunderstorm, couldn't see the warning. The engine managed to get over, but the tender went down with the crumbling bridge. The baggage car toppled off on its side, while the mail car, which followed, pitched into the stream.

---

Condition: Cover