The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-12-27

thought he discovered an engine ahead
The next moment be heard tho whistle
to down breaks, when he Immediately
gave similar order and reversed his en-
CINE.
There were with him at the time two
other psrsoos besides the fireman. Be-
fore they could jump, the two engines
came crashing together in frightful con-
tact, literally making chaos Of eve ytbing
connected With both. The engines we're
dovetailed into each other in An ihsepar-
ble manner. and the mail and baggage car
of the passenger train driven partially
through the forward passenger carl there
BY causing the frightful catastrophe that
followed.
The passenger train, which consisted
only of two coaches and a baggage car,
was crowded with passengers. Both of
the cars were filled to the utmp mpst, 20
much SO that scarce even standing room
could 10 obtained. After the accident
those in the forward car who were not
helplessly injured, endeavored to Set out
as soon as possible. 1t is I'D, and We
give it on the authority Of one pf the
passengers, that the baggage man, who,
it appears had charge Of the train there
being no conductor aboard-or one Of the
brake emen, shut the hind door Of the car,
and would not, for some time, allow the
passengers egress, etating that there was
no danger. Immediately after the smash
occurred the stoves we're upset and the
cars took fire. In an almost incredible
short space of time the flames env$loped d
the whole, with the exception of the last
car, aDd how many psrished time alone
can tell.
The mail agent, Geo. W. Millen, from
Port Huron, was found to be jammed in
between the baggage and forward passen-
ger car. His leg was firmly held be-
tween TWO pieces of broken timber, and
all efforts to rescue him before the de-
vouring fimes engulphed him in their
folds proved futile. The most her,uean
efforts to extrcate his crushed aud bleed
ing limbs from its fearful embrace we're
used, but the rapidly spreading flames
drove the laborers FROM their work. aud
they were forced to witness him peri~h
before their eyes, his heart-rehding
shrieks piercing their ear. for help, until
s,ihed amid the smoke and flames Of the
devouring element God of heaven ! i,
was a sickening sight, and CON- mpleiely en-
ervated the energies Of those around ID
their duty to others probably equally ter.
ribly situated After the fire had burned
down his charred trunk was taken from
the ruins, the head, arms aud legs com
pleteIy devoured, and the body roasted t
cinder.
As we have stated, ii is not known hoy
many persons persisted. We can. there
fore, only as yet surnffse the number sac
rltieed to the catastrophe. Some person
10 working among the ruins dis covered .
portion Of . females hoop skirt, an'
shortly afterward the bones Of humal
being among the ashes Another nersol
drew from the ruins portion of th6hot
hich was the dress of "Miss Mary Boor
logan, Oneida N Y - but whether thi
belonged to any one who psrished has nc
yet been discovered Il is said that
lady and two children were in the CO
Who have not turned up, aud that phys
clan who was 10 the city awaiting the a
rival Of q sister or some female rclauv
or both, mourns their absence. 1t
probable that Eve or six have perished.-
4 Beyond the melancholy death OF Mr.. Nj
e len, no other names have trauspired.