The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-09
TERRIBLE DISASTER.
Falling OF n Bridge over Toms River with a
Party of hunday y school Ex rsi ion onists- Eight
Of the Party Drowned Full Particulars Of
The DiktressiDR Casually.

Falling OF n Bridge over Toms River with n
Party of SUNDAY. school oIExcursonists-Eight
of the Party Drowned Full Particulars of
The Distressing Casualty.
LONG BRANCH, sept. S.-A pail OF gloom dirkly
Overshsdows this place. blight of woe hows down
under its crushing weight manv grlefstricken hearts,
nesOlstion and despair pervade many housenolls.
Rachel mourning for her children and refusing to
cOmfOrted has now here its sad parallel A few
words tells the painful story, but it VIII be many
years before the melancholy events Of to-day are
forgotten.
Al aoont haf-psst O'Clock this morning while a
parry OF Sabbath-schoOl excursiobsts We're crossing
foOt-brdge over Toms river, the bridge suddenly
were drowned, several are missing, aud numler
sustained more less injuries by pieces Of the
of the terrible disaster, as given In detai beginning
with
THE EXCURSION PARTY.
The occasion was the annual excursion OF the
Sabbath. school attached 10 the Methodist Gen.
tenary Church OF this place, OF which Rev. Mr.
Graw is pastor It has been the habit for years
This % Year more pains than usual was tasen
Sabbath schools OF Methodist churches at Atlantic
vile, Eatonton, Brockport, and other places in the
vicinity invited 10 participate in the days es-
tivties A band OF music was engaged from Red
Bank, and the expectation was lost pleasant one
20 Was nm of the sasSa c1 6e
dren and their teachers many Of the parents and
others Of the various congregations also went.
LEAVING LONG BRANCH
past O'Clock. There were e'even cars 1lied with
the excursionists. Most OF the children were
dressed in white, and happiness and innocence
cleaned in every youthful couHtenance. There
large baskets filed with cold meats, cakes and
other appurtenances OF their expected midday lunch
in the beautiful grove at Toms river, twenty five
miles from where, during the summer aud fall
months frequent picnics are held. Having taken
on Its last instament OF excursonists swiftly on
ward sped the train. All Were happy, and looking
forward TO day OF rare and complete enjoyment
At length
REACHING TOMS RIVER
the train stopped and the eXcursioniss left the cars
were all eagernefs. The railroad track here ruus
parallel with the river. The grove wnere the picnic
was to be held was across the river, over which il
or rather was,
THE FATAL BRIDGE
This bridge s sort OF double bridge, that is tht
main part is for vehicles, with side addition TO
foot passengers Its length is about sixty feet
the part used by foot passengers was some six fee
| wide. Upon the latter those OF the excursonist
leaving the cars nrst and their teachers and othe
attendants hurriedly rushed. The bridge was near
| compact with them number had passed over AM
others came crowdiDg on. Suddenly there was
| creak, then giving way, and down came this sid
| OF the bridge with
| TERRIBLE CRASH.
| Ii was but the work of moment Quicker than
| can write 1t the tragedy was at its completion
| Down into the water seven feet below the bridg
and thirty feet deep went this OF human beings
| The fearful noise OF creaking and falling timssr
| mingled with wild human shrieks. The scene wa
| indescribable. The wide nut sluggisn stream wa
nlled with noating children and grown persons ant
| the air with their maddened cries for help. Their
| was all possible promptnessin in
| RENDERING ASSISTANCE.
Men who could swim jumped into the water AM
| Immediately began the work OF rescue Some RAJ
for boais. Some hurried for boards and poles, any
| thing that would serve to buoy up those in tn
water. People from the village, who heard tn
shriess to render their aid But for this RrOmp
action a large additional number would have beel
| drowned.