The New York herald., 1871-02-14
THE HUDSON HOLOCAUST.
The Locomotive Raised-The Bodies Of tho Kngi.
neer and the Stranger Not Recovered-Mrs
Bennett Identities Some Clothing
as That Of Her Husband.

NEW HAMBURG, Feb. Is. 1871.
The great railway disaster still the chief topic of
conversation, and the talk includes the history OF
Doc Simmons, the express train engineer. knew
him well and can vouch for the stories Of his bravery
in times gone by. In all his conversations with rail-
road men he would never advocate jumping from an
engine in time OF danger. NO." said he on one
occasion, ~ would squat" He meant he would
squat behind the boiler and trust to going through
whatever might obstruct the track. That was un-
doubtedly the course he took on that fatal Monday
night. Nearly all OF his comrades on the Hudson
River Railroad think he was
FOoLIsHLY BRAVE.
They argue that after the patents were pulled and
his engine reversed and throttle opened, he had per-
formed all the duty In his power 10 save the tram,
and then he should have jumped to save himself
He leaves little chila behind in Poughkeepsie She
was his daughter by his first wife, and he visited her
every Sabbath regularly. Upon the Sabbath previous
to the accident he called TO see her. and when they
parted, as was his custom, he kissed her fondly
and bade her goodby. Having gone little ways
he returned, and again and again bid her Dy-by
Could he have had a premonition that that was the
last tlme he would see herr All the locomotives
on the road are draDed in mourning out OF respect
TO his memory. To-day crowds of people are gath
cred about the fatal drawbrldge, watching the work
Mr.. Otis, Master Mechanic buchanan, James Wheeler
and subordinates. This afternoon all the arrange
ments were fully completed Tor rapid business, aud
by means OF screw levers
THE LOCOMOTIVE COMMENCED TO RISE
gradually but surely and safely; and as the drivers
came 10 view all eyes were centered upon that por
ton of them next to where the engineers house
should stand 1t was there The body OF the engineer
ana the iriemd VINO was with MIN were expected TO
engine upon the scaiiod thought they could see
the foot-board OF the engine, and then anxious
nrh 1Qrk nm AG Oft org
bulnOthlng could be seen. Next the grapplers
put al work, but they grappled IN vain. This was
DISAPPOINTMENT
Every one expected that the dead engineer would
be found upon the foot board but as the engine was
raised still higher all doubts were removed-the
foot board was clear. This fact was at once COM
munlcated by telegraph 10 Superintendent TOucey,
VINO was at IhirtIeh street, and he replied. SEARCH
one hour more; then, II you do not find any bodies,
send the diver down again." Again the search was
renewed, and a special engine was despatched 10
Pougnkeepsie with messenger from Mr.. Polk, the
diver, on board, 10 get the latters armOr. In the
meantime all sorts OF speculations were ndulged In
by the crowd as TO the Whereabouts Of the bodies,
some arguing that they were burned up entirely,
and others that they had noated away with the
rent not to be found till the river breaks ap. During
SEVERAL MARROW ESCAPES
from drowning about the wreck, those who broke
through having, In their great anxiety to see every
thing, ventured out OF their depth and on the brittle
Ice.
Mrs. Sarah Bennett who has been stopping here
to ascertain If her husband was on the Inflated
train, has just returned from Pougnkeepsie, where
she has been to ii she could identity any oil the
loose clothing which the undertaken TOOK charge Of
and she was
soRRowFULLY SUCCESSFUL.
She identified his hat and two pocket handkerchefs
ana then tainted away. Recovering soon after she
was removed from the room, and when she was
sufficiently rested was sent back to this place. |
understand that the citizens of POughkeepse will
start fund In her aid She should be assisted inn
medately, as she is entirely destitute and has
with her child three years of age. She says her
husband mad with him gold watch and hair chain,
a locket, with the baby'S picture In, and q photo
graph OF himself and her on one card She seems
to De almost heartDrOken and now thinks that ne
that he secured ride there to save expense Her
case is, indeed, depiorabe one, and should COM
mand instant attention.
The engine which was sent after the Divers armor
returned at four O'Clock in the afternoon with only
portion OF 1t, when it was sent back again after
work, and the diver expressed desire TO postpone
his descent till morning. He says there Is u vast
heap of rubbish or debris near where the engine lay
and thinks that IN that rubbish bodies may be 1Ound
with chains, and hoist 1t in the manner as the
| locomotive was lifted. After consultation 1t was
concluded TO postpone the exploration below the
surface OF the water TIL halfpast O'Clock to
morrow morning. Pieces OF gold chains, portion
or bracelet ana brass chain taken from the
top OF the boiler OF the locomotive tins afternoon
having probably fallen there from broken trunks.
state surveyors are here to-day from the Senate
Committee, making surveys for the Information OF
the Legislative Committee.
Recovery of the Locomotivc-No More
Bodies Found.
P0UGHKEEPsIE, Feb. 13-P. M.
The locomotive was raised tonight even with
the abntment OF the bridge. and will be landed upon