120 Years Ago, 1905 transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:

“Motorman was killed, several people hurt. Two cars came together with frightful force on Loveland Hill. Hugo Wosch was caught and his life crushed out. Dense fog was the cause. Claude Moore escaped death but was badly injured – list of victims – all well known.”

“Probably the most dense fog that has visited Youngstown for years was the cause of a fatal collision on the Poland Avenue line of the Mahoning Valley system at about 6 o’clock Tuesday morning. An east bound car running down the east side of Loveland Hill crashed into a car at the foot of the incline bound for the Public Square. The momentum of the cars was sufficient to seriously injure passengers standing on the rear platforms, while the front vestibules were completely flattened. As a result of the collision one life was lost and several persons injured.

“The dead: Hugo Wosch, motorman on car 128, caught in the vestibule and instantly killed.

“The injured: Claude D. Moore, motorman on car 129, back and side injured three ribs being broken. The full extent of his injuries cannot yet be determined. His condition, however, is critical. He was taken to the City hospital.

“Frank Furtlice, an Italian, bruised about the ankle and shoulder. At the City hospital and suffering considerably.

“J. Shaffer, a prominent Struthers grocer, arm gashed and knee badly bruised. Taken to his home.

“Thomas Carden, of North Walnut Street, knee and arm skinned and bruised. Was able to go home.

“C.F. Haverstick, of Struthers, a carpenter, cut and bruised about the head. Taken to the City hospital but was able to go home after his injuries had been attended to.

“J. Art, Struthers, arm and side bruised. E. Chapman, Struthers, shocked and body bruised. H. Downey, of Poland avenue, hurt about the shoulder and arms.

“The news of the awful accident spread about the city rapidly and the calling out of Orr’s and King’s ambulances to take the dead and wounded from the scene of the disaster added to the excitement. The body of Wosch was taken to Orr’s morgue, and word was sent to his wife….

“At the office of the Pennsylvania & Mahoning Valley company in this city, it was stated at noon today that it could not yet be determined who was to blame for the collision. The Poland Avenue line, like other lines of the system, is equipped with the block system which is supposed to be a guard against cars coming together. The officials admit that some sort of a mistake had occurred, or the block system was out of order, and a complete investigation will be made….

“At the City hospital Mr. Moore stated that he did not see car 128 until about two feet away. The fog was so dense that he could not see from one trolley post to another he said. He is possessed of wonderful nerve and said that he is glad no passengers were killed. Before coming to this city four years ago he served several years as a conductor on the lines in New Castle.

“The fog and gloom hung over the city until 10 o’clock this morning and the whole system of the Mahoning Valley lines seem to be demoralized. The cars 128 and 129, which were badly battered up, were taken to the barns at Haselton this forenoon.”

• Compiled by Dante Bernard, museum educator at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society