In Tribute

Mom, you are finally at peace. Free of pain and reunited with those in our family that have passed before you. Reunited with Daddy once again. As my journey through life continues, I will always keep your memory fresh in my mind and heart. Many times I said how much I love you. What I would not give at this moment to tell you one more time how much I love and will miss you. Rest in peace, Mom, you lived a rich and full life and have earned your final eternal rest.

Eyewitness Account of the Accident

The following account is that of Mary (Hepp) Kepshire, otherwise known as my Mother. My Grandfather's family resided at 117 W. Commercial Avenue , approximately 50 yards west of the crossing. Her father, John Hepp, owned a tavern which in 1952 stood between the Lowell depot and Cedar Creek, on Commercial Avenue in front of the American Legion Post 101. I'm sure that over the years, I was told the story of the wreck, but probably never paid very much attention to the details. Several years ago, while looking through old family pictures, I happened upon three snapshots of the wreck. They prompted me to inquire into the events of the night of May 22, 1952. As it turns out, my whole existence may have been affected by this accident.

Looking toward the Southeast, from the north side of Commercial Avenue.

Looking east towards downtown from South side of Commercial

Taken from Commercial Avenue, looking east.

"The evening was getting late. My boyfriend, Ed, had just left our house on his way back to Chesterton, Indiana. I was sitting in our living room talking with my mother. All of a sudden we heard the most ear splitting noise, which kept getting louder and louder. Dad came downstairs in a hurry and said that something was wrong with the train coming through town. It turned out he was right.

 

The noise continued and it became apparent that more and more train cars were bumping against one another and screeching. We ran out to the street and was shocked by the scene. The entire crossing was ablaze. The fire roared as the train cars continued to pile one on top of another. They just kept ramming into one another and at one point they looked at least five cars high. We just stood there in utter disbelief. I panicked because a neighbor on our side of the tracks said that something had to have derailed the train. My thoughts and concern was on Ed. Visions of my boyfriend at the bottom of the pile left me feeling scared. I knew that it normally took Ed an hour to drive home. All I could do is wait, hope and pray.

Dad attempted to get our car out of the driveway, but it was just impossible. Autos waiting to cross the tracks were now backed up past our driveway. Soon the fire departments started to arrive on the scene and needed room to operate and attack the fire, so we were basically stuck. If the wind shifted and things on the west side of Commercial started burning, my family would be in a bad way. We feared that in that event, our best chance was to actually run away. We kept hearing reports that the entire downtown was on fire and burning. Someone said that a river of gasoline was flowing right into the downtown, burning the buildings on the south side of the street. Dad's business was on the east side of the tracks, between the depot and Cedar Creek. He had a very bad habit of always leaving large amounts of cash down there each night. He was concerned for his business, however, there was no way he could get across the tracks. Something only 200 yards normally from our house, not seemed like miles. Had the fire consumed Dad's business? Dad finally contacted his brother, Uncle Garda, to try and get downtown. He lived further west that us, so he was able to get his vehicle out. To get to downtown, Uncle Garda had to drive south to the next crossing open, Belshaw Road. Once on the east side of the tracks, they worked their way to downtown the best way they could. Uncle Garda said it was a mess. He did manage to reach the tavern, which was still standing untouched by the fire that had consumed the depot. I guess that the curbs on Commercial and the drains on the bridge saved the tavern. Garda was able to get the money and returned home the same way. He then told us that things were not as bad as the rumors we were hearing.

I remember vividly the firemen from Cedar Lake, Schneider, St. John and Crown Point were battling the fire on our side of the tracks. I'm not sure what departments were on the east side, but the papers later claimed Lowell, Shelby, Lake Dalcarlia and Gary. Besides the old depot, the train cars destroyed the Shell station on the south side of Commercial Avenue next to the crossing. I sat on top of the stairs on our front walk watching the fire and the train cars. The gasoline station on the north side of Commercial Avenue was saved by the efforts of Harold Love, who kept water on the top of the building with a garden hose until the fire departments took over. Damaged train cars kept dropping, each time it made a frightening crashing sound.

Finally, the hour was up and I called Ed. I was happy to know that he was home, safe and sound. Ed told me that he had crossed the track, just as the warning light came on, indicating that the train was approaching. Not really paying attention, he told me he then heard a big bang, like an explosion. About this time he was past downtown, just starting into the curve by the cemetery, but just kept heading east. Ed then said that when he reached Route 231 and turned north, the western sky was brilliant. He knew something had happened but realized there was little he could do and continued home.

Happy that my boyfriend, and future husband, was not hurt lying under the wreck, I decided to try and head off to bed. I had to work the next day, so I decided to sleep in the front bedroom. Mom and Dad would be up all night watching and guarding things. Ever time I would try and doze off another train car would drop with a loud crash. Finally about 5 AM, I gave up trying to sleep and started filling myself with coffee. I wandered outside in the daylight to see what was left of the town. I took some pictures and just stood there wondering what this twisted mass of metal would reveal. The Shell station was pretty much gone, which is about all we could see from the west side of the tracks. I spoke with some firemen, who had worked through the night fighting the fire and he assured me that there was still a Town of Lowell. The downtown was untouched by the wreck or the fire. The old Monon depot was lost, but no other buildings were lost. The contents of the tank cars ran into the creek. Dad's tavern, the beauty shop and the American Legion Post were all between the tracks and the creek. All were still standing, undamaged.

That day, weary, I did get into work at the title company. I was even able to pick up my rides because none of them lived as close to the tracks as us. The rumor mill was working overtime that morning. According to reports Lowell had been completely destroyed that night. Besides the wreck and fire, one other memory of the wreck was the cases of Vienna sausages that Dad brought home. They had been in several boxcars. I had never heard of Vienna Sausages but they made good meals. I suppose that by today's standards what Dad did would be considered looting? A few minutes, one way or another could have gravely affected mine and my children's existence." - Mary Kepshire February 22, 2000-

 

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