New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-08


the rest repeated dashes at the doors ana
OF the frat car I'm homes 20 save even life, but the
flames drove them back before they could get wll '
feet OF the car Suddenly bridge fell with crasn
the with 1t, and then column OF flame, SPARKS anu
smoke shot high in air. Darkness followed the shou'i
lug ruins only showing the spot where 10 many nau @
with their deaths. Rescue then impossible. All
who in the car when the bridge fell were eitheI
burned death buried far down under broken bag
gage and express
STATEMENTS OF SURVIVORS.
The fireman OF the passenger train who saved MS le
by jumping from the engine before 1t struck the olc'
severely injured about the head having been STRUCK
by sharp substance when he fell. His story 10
substantially follows: was on the Constitution fs
CINE No 5D, which was attached TO the Second Pacific
Express tran that left NewYork at o'clock on Monday
evening The train was composed OF eight cars, III
Guiding five sleeping and two baggage cars. me nrst
OF the seepingcars was called the "Bunalo sleeper
and had about 3 persons inside. We reached New
Hamburg at about 1920 somewhat behind time When
approaching the draw bridge at that place. an engine
was observed upon the track, but 1t excited no
surprise, nor did IL lessen the speed OF our
train, as it was usual for locomotives to stop
at this place and take in water from TANK
We saw danger signals flashing through the darkness.
Our train shot by the locomotive and portion Oh an OIL
train that behind the BRIDGE and went crash
ing through the rear OF 1t. simultaneously with the
collision arose blaze from theEscattered oil that had
ignited and soon everything enveloped in flames
Prior 10 the collision that the accident was ineV-
table and before the train reached the bridge jumped
from it sDd landed some ice For haf minute OF 80
WAS conscious and heard the SCATTERING OF the tmbers
the descent OF the locomotive and other cars over the
draw into the water the blaze flashed upon me- ana then
came stupor, from which was aroused by tue pin VI
the injuries had received.
Upon recovering my senses discovered that OF the
cars composing the.train, the locomotive baggage ana
two sleeping had been precpitated into the water
and with few exceptions all board with Them am
almost certain that escaped from the Buffalo
seeper not even the brakemen The three other sleep
ing cars were not injured the coupling broke and LETT
them on the ground with very frightened but unnJured
passengers do not know the cause Of the accident
nor do know who is at fault Iheard that the accident
caused by the breaking Of the axle OF the engine at
ached TO the foil tran which had torn and otherwise
injured the bridge in crossing don't know how lar we
were from the oil train when VIC perceived 1t; but
when we observed the danger signals we tried
TO stop. The engineer OF our train was EDWARD elm
mons generally known as doc" did not near that
any one was killed on the oil traiD After the accident,
the uninured moved from the scene OF danger
and the passengers clustered in them for shelter and
remained all night The bridge was built about year
ago. The telegraph wire under the bridge, ana
when the bridge burning could not be used that
communication kept open to Fishkl all night by
means Of an engine"
ANOTHER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS INCIDENTS.
Az soon as intelligence of the disaster reached New
Hamburger two freengines fastened to the scene
and by their aid the flames soon subdued, and
search was begun for the bodies OF the inmates OF the
Buffalo car Horrible indeed the spectacle as ono
after another the charred and maDged bodies was
brought forth BY II O'Clock all the bodies had been
found except that OF Simmons, tho engineer. 1hey
were placed in baggagecar and fire was buiitto thaW
the frozen clothing 1t almost impossible to iden-
burned
that scarcely feature remained The conductor OF the
seepngcar could only be identified by the diagram con-
tanning the OF his passengers When, among the
rest the body az woman with child grasped closely
In each arm. drawn out, gentleman who had been
wafg fantlcay to and fro since the disaster at once
| recognized them as his wife and children. He said
that lust before the collision he left his family TO go TO
the smtng-car, and had hardly stepped into the adj
Joining car when the shock came, and separated them
from him forever. One Of the children was wrapped
closely in shawl and was burned at all, though 1t
had been drowned The other, well the mother,
was very badly burned about the face and breast.
Att O'Clock he bodies which had been found, 10 in
number were conveyed TO Poughkeepsie, and there
placed in collins to await Identification Throughout the
afternoon there large throng OF persons conefe-
gated about the wrecks land isearch continued r
the body OF Engineer Simmons. At time it was ru-
mOred that car containing 40 passengers had been
noticed in front Of theast sleeplngcar passed New
under the ice. This for time created new panic in
the already excited village, but t was soon discovered
to be unfounded
Many and sadiwere the stories related by those who
had escaped One gentleman said that he had started
for the West with his wife, and all Of his property con-
sstng OF $4,000 intending to settle there. Wishing to
speak with friend in car he left his wife for
moment but before he could return the collision came
and he did not see her again till her manged and dis
figured body was taken from the ruins lady said she
WAS on her way to Buffalo with two sisters, and, wishing
10 make some arrangements with friends In the rear car
went back and had barely escaped from the car when
the explosion took place
workman while engaged in searching for the bodies,
had both Of his legs broken by falling piece of timber,
aud it feared that his injuries will prove fatal As
night drew on the crowd which had been swelled by
continual arrivals from every direction, congregated
about the depot and assaed with numberess questions
those who had been so fortunate as to escape unhurt
Friends OF the victims were continually arriving and
fastening on to Poughkeepse.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The intelligence OF the disaster created profound horror
in Brooklyn yesterday The City Hall and Courthouse
was the great center where the matter discussed
and anxious inquiries made for the members OF the
Legislature from the County, who were believed to
have been on the Inflated train The misgivings as
10 their safety we're dispeled, however, by the tee
graphic dispatches received by friends announcing
their safety. In the and ferryboas and on the
the sad was also the principal theme
OF conversation and the greatest sorrow was expressed
for the unfortunate victims and their surviving rela
tives and friends.
The Hon. J. V. Farwel Congressman from Chicago
and wife, board the ran but telegram has been
received announcing their safety They lost their baggage
The Rev. DIR. Deems, who was reported to have been
ON The fatal train was visited yesterday by many OF his
friends who we're reoced hear OF his safety He was
unable 10 account for the origin OF the rumor
When the OF the accident arrived, rival railroad
company bought the extra of evening newspaper and
buetined IL in front OF their office. crowd speedily
OF rhoI nuilentlY Through the