The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-08
DEATH ON THE RAILROAD.
Frighsfui Disaster and Shocking Loss
of Life.
TWO TRAINS OF CARS AND A BRIDGE ON
FIRE--THE BRIDGE FALLS WITH A TRAIN
INTO THE RIvER-PASSENdERy
BURNED AND DROWNED

A terrible disaster occurred Monday
night on the Hudson River railroad, al
New Hamburg, New York An oil train
was bound south, and when passing New
Hamburg an axle of an oil car broke, and
dragged along the ground till it reached
the draw-bridge, when, striking the tim
bers, it threw the car off its track, and
upon the up track, 10 the face of the second
Pacific express. An attempt was made to
stop the express, but there was not time
enough, and it struck an oil car, and the
fragments OF the oil car were scattered in
every direction, and at once ignited, en-
veloping the entire express train in flames
The express train was composed of a
locomotive, one baggage car, one express
car, and five or six sleeping cars. The
| locomotive was at once hurled into the
| river, and the engineer was killed, and the
baggage and express cars piled on top of
the engine. At the same time the Chicago
sleeping car was one sheet of flame, and
though desperate attempts we're made to
rescue the passengers, it is said not one got
out alive. Two of the other sleeping cars
next to it were also wrapped in flames, but
the passengers in them all got out safely,
and then the bridge took fire. In less
than ten minutes afterwards the whole
structure fell, carrying with it the Chicago
car, and burying it and its inmates out of
sight under water and among the ruins of
the locomotive and express cars. This
terrible result settled all doubts as to the
probability Of rescuing any one, dead or
alive, and there was nothing to do till day
light.
TIE NAMES OF THE KILLED,
as far as known, are Simmons, engineer,
and Peter Vosburg, conductor of the Chi
cago car. and a brakesman named Bhrine.
Charles Cassum, conductor of the train,
states that there were sixty-fve sleeping
car tickets, and that ffty-two of them
have found owners, indicating that but
thirteen are missing. Passengers say,
however, that the Chicago car contained
twenty-five or thirty persons, and not one
got out alive. All the trains are stopped
at the break this morning, and the work
of recovering the dead bodies has COM
menced. Coroner Andrews, of Pough-
keepsie, has been notified, aud is waiting
for train to convey him to the spot.
Upon the ice, near the wreck, a body
was found with the entrais torn out and
the head and legs crushed. 1t has not
been identified.
LATER THE BODIES FOUND so FAR,
A later dispatch from the scene of the
disaster says
Sleeping-car conductor Vosburgh's body
las been found. and list of his passengers
ound on him, but it only gives the sur
names, which are as follows: Lowell,
Fowler, Pease, Cary, Lerhisb, Germancul.
Norcreade, Rosenthal, Forbrook, eleven in
III. This list tallies with the number pro-
lounced missing by conductor Charles
Jassum. He said he had sixty-ive sleep
ng-car tickets and all the holders have
espooded but eleven. A former Hudson
iver railroad conductor, named Edward
'artette, is among the missing. He was {
iding in the baggage car. As fast as the
'odies are raised to the surface they are )
'laced on a baggage car, where fire is
,ept going, so as to thaw the clothing, in i
rider that search may be made for any
hing that may lead TO Identification. One
'ody was found with babe in her arms. ,
III three of the destroyed cars were Wagner !
ars. 1t is impossible to give the full !
ames as yet, except that of DR.. Nan
reade, of New York, whose head was
artially burned. I
DESCRIPTION OF THE BODIES. G
The following is the description OF the t
odies found up to noon to-lay: The first '
ian was dressed in black suit, white +
hirt, laced shoes, gold studs and black r
eckte; features Of jew; about 35
ears of age; medium size. He was G
1und lying on his face with his hands ex- t
ended on each side. The back of his s
cad was burned to crisp. To his pocket u
lere was silver watch, aud by his side q
black morocco travelling bag. This man \
ad Roman nose, dark hair and eyes, T.
nd moustache and goatee. The second ?
Ian was found near him, and was also '
Vidently Jew. He was dressed in II
lack vest, buttoning up to the throat a
as about 45 years of age; dark hair and G
de whiskers about FIVE feet four inches Il
! height, and had geld watch in his
ocket. He was also lying on his face,
ld his head was burned fearfuly.- ?
had been added to the tor Is
Tres of burning, drowning, and being a
ushed to death, as the appearance, with G.
le tongue thrust out, INDICATED. e' e.
MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN IN HER a
ARMS a
as found lying upon her back. Her face N
lily presented the surface of black, grn- h
pg skull. She wore black alpaca N
ess, with buttons from top to bottom S
ack and white skirt, laced morocco d
,ots, gold sleeve buttons with black de- u
gn, and three gold rings on the third en- ST
n of the left hand, one Of these very mar $,
w Over her shoulder rested blue and VI
bite worsted breakfast shawl The Oldest Sc
lid, a girl of six yesr wore a red nler- al
, dress, black alpaca sack, embroidered p
hite stockings, button boots, and a plain ol
ng on the th I'd &, ger of the right band.
be other child was 16 months old, and
as dressed in flannel, with cotton over ii
ess. ii
The next body found was man aged W
}, wearing linen undershrt and pants. N
ue stocking, and Albert collar and plain Il
ack necktie. His face was bistered m
ightfully by the fire, aud his beard and o
oustache, which are nearly black, are l.
- Al