The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-11-11
STATEMENT OF MR.. W. H. HOYT, OF FOND
DU LAC.


DU LAC.
was on the train to day at the time of
the accident. The train consisted of IL or
IA cars, and was drawn by powerful en-
CINE called Perry H. Smith, and was held
in charge by Conductor Hobart. 1 was in
the fourth car from the engine, with large
number of Fond du Lac friends. There
was large party on board, not less than
600 l should think, and were enjoying them.
selves at the time in talking, singing, play
ing euchre, joking and making themselves
merry in various ways, when the accident
took place. 1 had just been on the plat
form between cars No and 5, talking
with five of my friends. Mr.. Gillett entered
the fifth car and took seat, while l took
the fourth car, leaving three gentlemen
standing on the platform. l had entered
the car and walked nearly to the centre,
when 1 felt sudden stop, then trembling
jumping motion, indicating that the car was
off the track, then fearful crash, and l saw
our car enter the forward one four or five
feet, and looking back, I saw that it had
also broken into the rear car in the same
manner.
Mr.. Gillett was caught in the wreck, and
crushed in fearful manner. 1t took a long
time to extricate him, and after suffering in
tensely for two hours, death put an end to
his misery. Of the other three who stood
on the platform, one fell through the open
door and thus had his life spared, and the
others jumped off, escaping with few Sc
we're cuts. The baggage car was complete
ly demolished, and it was thought every one
in the car at the time was killed. Mr.. j.
NJ. Thomas and j. B. Mason were in this
car. Mr.. 7. was apparently drowned, as
he was found lying on his back in the water
apart from the wreck, and only few slight
scratches on his face I was the first to
reach him. Mr.. Mason was mangled in the
most horrible ma ner. His face was cut
and bruised SO that he hardly looked like
human being, and the stove falling on him
amid the ruins, actually burned hole in
his abdomen so as to expose his bowels, and
roasting the inside of his thighs the flesh
sloughed off from the bone. 1 hope never
to witness such sight again. His clothes
were on fire he was eXtricated and the
blood flowed freely from his nose and ears.
To witness the writings and contortions of
this poor man was enough to melt heart
of stone, and after suffering the most eXcru-
ciating agony for over an hour, death fell
upon him like great blessing as it was.
From the Report of the Milwaukee Sennei.
WATERFOWL, Nov. % A. M.-Before
the train leaves for Milwaukee, 1 will hastily
write off such additional information of this
dreadful catastrophe, as l have been able to
gather with reliability, though you may re-
ceive it and more, by telegraph, ere you get
this
Isodore Snow, of Fond du Lac, was found
dead in the same ditch of mud and water
that U. S. Marshal Thomas was thrown
Into. John Boardman, his son in law, was
not dead when taken up, but died soon after
wards.
II. F. Craig, commission merchant Of
Chicago, injured in several places, mostly
in the privates; is in good spirits, and may
recover in few days. ..
Stebbins, OF Appleton, one leg broken
and cut on the bead doing we'll.
James McCabe, fireman of Chicago !;
spine injured and four ribs broken.
James Paige, baggage master, shoulder
dislocated, and thigh fractured.
Amos Page, contractor on the road,
shoulder and ankle dislocated.
Mr.. Hobart, the conductor, was some
hurt, but not much he went south, as did
Amos Page.
The cars containing the Watertown ex-
cursionists were on the rear, which accounts
for there being no people of this city among
the unfortunates, except Theron Miner,
druggist, who was jammtd to death instant
ly between the second and third cars.
S. M. Hewlett, the temperance lecturer,
was on board with his wife, having started
for Texas. Neither we're hurt.
The most frighttul scene, perhaps, was
that of very large muscular man, who in
his dying frenzy arose to bis feet, his head a
mangled mass of gore and flesh, with eyes
protruding and blood streaming down his
bare body and abdomen he arose and
twisted his frame from right to left, throw.
ing his arms around with great strength, as
if be would NOW down the multitude. He
presented an appalling sight. Then he sank
to the ground as fmsy as if held together
Will SlI luSS, duu was W IL was IuC
most awful spectacle ever beheld, and the
memory of it will never be cffaced from the
minds of those who saw it. The name OF
this man 1 was unable to get; it is said he
lived in Peoria, Illinois, and has relatives
residing near Fond du Lac.
E. II. Sickles, merchant of Fon du Lac
had his legs torn of at the knee, and re-
manned bleeding, wet and cold till be was
brought to the Planters Hotel, where his
smashed stumps were amputated; he had
first rate courage but was chilled through,
and soon sank from exhaustion and intense
suffering
- But not word of murmur-not
A grOan Ger his most cruel lott
G. Peterselia, (German,) leather dealer
of Oshkosh, is still family struggling with
death, but cannot hold out long. He is at
the Germania House. Both legs are crushed
to spinters, throughout. The doctors said
he had not the strength to surviee amputa.
ton. Hi legs are not so painful now, and he
complains OF shortness OF breath. He will
have passed away before this gets into print
making the twelfth death that we know of
in this sad tragedy. Some may have died
among those who were carried to Oshkosh
and Fon du Lac since last night at seven
and nine O'Clock of their condition, since
they lett, we are not informed +; only one or
them, however, if l am rightfully informed,