A railroad accident that was even worse than the Meadow Creek wreck of July 30, 1896, sent about 80 persons to a sudden death, catching them like rats in a trap. The cars of the 1:30 electric train of the West Jersey and Seashore railroad lines, due in Atlantic City, N.J. at 2:30, jumped the track on the bridge over the “Thoroughfare.” The trestle is about 15 feet above the water. The entire city was thrown into a state of excitement as the news reached town about half past two o’clock, a few minutes after the tragedy occurred. Fully 5,000 people crowded the Meadows and the Trestle, many relatives and friends crying in despair for loved ones.

50 Years Ago, 1956

Reports that a flaming object in the sky over the Twin Cities, resembling a burning aircraft, were checked out by Auburn authorities. Police received a call from an Auburn man on the incident, and the caller said he had seen shooting stars and meteors but this object did not fall into either classification. A check with Northeast Airlines which, in turn, checked Portland tower, and a civilian flying service at the Auburn-Lewiston Airport, did not turn up any missing airplanes. The flaming object remains unidentified.

25 Years Ago, 1981

The space shuttle Columbia, the world’s first reusable vehicle for journeys into space, is ready for its second flight. It awaits only the final signal and that is scheduled. The huge vehicle, which goes into orbit like a rocket then returns to earth like a glider, is on a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Kennedy Space Center workers have been packing the equipment, food etc. which the two astronauts will require in their journey. It is scheduled to last four days.