Walter H. Main Circus Wreck

   

     While on my way to a more known location outside of Tyrone, I just so happened to catch a monument out of the corner of my eye. I found a place to turn my car around and parked along the road. In what many would consider the middle of nowhere, there sat this memorial to a train wreck that happened over 100 years ago. The plaque memorializing this tragic part of local history gave me some insight into what happened on May 30^th 1897, and the internet and other resources help to fill in the gaps.

      The Walter H. Main Circus was one of the best and well-known traveling circuses of the time. While traveling on the Tyrone/Clearfield railway it derailed near McCann's Crossing which is about 3 miles from Tyrone Pennsylvania. The train was carrying all of the circus performers and works , as well as, all the animals. Some of the animals remained unharmed from the accident like the elephants and camels, however, nearly 50 horses were killed. Some animals like the snakes escaped from the scene and some never found. One tiger that escaped was caught only a few yards from the train. Another tiger made its way to a nearby farm and killed a cow. The farmer by his surprise and with no other choice had to shot and kill the tiger. Seven men were killed in the derailment, and 19 people were injured and taken to the near by field hospital.

      To get to this location, Head east on Old Route 220 and make a Left onto Vanscoyoc Road. Only a few yards later, you come to a “Y” and follow the road to the left onto Baughman Cemetery Road. The Walter H. Main Circus Wreck memorial is then on the left hand side.