Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-02-23

West.nOrtnwestWardly direction, for
some little distance, and then curves
rather sharply to the north, in q cut about
sixteen feet deep. The conductor of the
passenger train, on arriving at the Upper
Alton station, and hearing nothing of
the northbound freight train, sup.
posed 1t had taken the side-track at the
junction, and he preceded on his way to-
ward that place. About midway of the
curves spoken of the two trains met The
bank on either side of the road is very
nearly perpendicular, and about sixteen
feet above the track. From the peculiar
situation OF the spot, IL is evident that
the engineer on one train could not see
the other until they were within sixty
or eighty yards of each other To
avoid collision after they approached near
enough to be seen, was an utter impossi-
bility, since the combined velocity of the
two trains was certainly not less than
thirty-two miles an hour
The engines came together with terrible
Iorce. The front part of both were shlvcr-
ed to fragments. After they were still,
the smoke-stacks were not more than
three inches apart. One of the brakemen
who was on the passenger train states
that at the time of the collision he han.
pened to be looking out ahead and saw
the engines strike, rear high up in the air
in the front and descend to the track
again with terrific crash. The baggage
car was torn to splinters, the stove broken,
and the wood fire mixed with the shivered
material of the demolished car. The pas
senger coach next behind the baggage
car was driven forward by its own and
the momentum of the two cars behind it,
so that it was telescoped into the broken
baggage car, the front stove broken, the
seats torn from their fastenings, and with
their occupants hurled in a heap to the
rear part of the car.
TERRIBLE SCENE.
SO sudden, so violent, and unexpected
a shock for the moment rendered the oc-
cupants of the car, who had escaped with
oHt very serious bodily injuries, totally
incapable Of eXtricating themselves from
the debris of the cars destroyed To add
to the horror of the scene an alarm of fire
was raised. The fragments of the bag
gage car were already in light blaze the
shattered timbers of the passenger car
was on fire, and the pinioned passengers
unable to help themselves, were crying
piteously for assistance when there were
none to help. A few, who had escaped
without bodily harm, now returned, and
put forth almost superhuman efforts to
rescue their fellow travellers from the i'm
pending doom To add to the terror of
the occasion, there was not an axe, or any
implement with which to cut away the !
parts of the car which imprisoned the VIC
Tins. Some were hauled out with broken
legs, some with broken arms, and one had
his collar bone and jaw dreadfully frac.
tured, while others were pulled from the !
burning wreck, with scorched limbs, and |
covered with blood streaming from fright |
full wounds The fire blazed up, and
spread with great rapidity. The cries of |
the helpless persons still in the wreck be- |
came heart-rending. One of the persons |
who was burned in the wreck was caught |
across the thighs by some part of the car.
Two of the passengers who had escaped |
went to his assistance and were endeay- |
oring TO relieve him, when the flames |
ieapcd out burning their hands and fore !
ing them TO abandon the unfortunate man
TO his fate. Six of the passengers who |
had suffered severe injuries were rescued |
with considerable diffieply after the FIRE /
had l'-~is~-.- out, some OF them wore quite |
severely burned.
THE WOUNDED.
The number of those who received per
sonal injuries is variousy stated at from
thirteen to seventeen. 1t is probable that
me former is more nearly correct than
the figures last given. Some of the wound
ed were very seriously hurt. Mr.. Can
man, OF 81. Louis, suffered a compound
fracture of the leg, and was otherwise
bruised. Another gentleman had his law
broken, and was much bruised about the
head and shoulders. Some were quite Sc
riously burned. Others had broken ankles
and arms. Some were cut about the head
ma face, and others received injuries in
he chest and about the body.
CHASTITY REMAINS.
The bodies, or what remained of them.
Of the four victims of the fire, were con-
7eyed to Alton and placed in the office of
Mr. OConnor, undertaken, and will be
Kept there until this morning, when n
Joroner's inquest will be held The
lames of two of them had not been fully
lscertained.
The remains of these victims are so
much consumed that recognition is impus-
lble. Their limbs are entirely consumed.
)f three of them nothing is left but the
lcadless trunk the fourth has no legs
eft. These charred remains present
spectacle truly horrifying.
LIST OF KILLED AND INJURED.
The following is the list of killed and
injured as far as could be ascertained yes
erday.
Joseph Friessen Gesidence unknown, burned to
cath. '' w
Mrs, Reuben Raines, Henry County, Iowa, burn
d to DEATH
Man, supposed to be Mr.. Herman Neuberger, of
harry, Pike County, ILL.,, burned to death
'urned to death
Unknown man, killed
Reuben Raines Henry County, Iowa, badly cat
m the head and body.
Isaac Bsrnhardt (residence unknown) badly
urned and head cut.
August Mauhe boy lately employed at Carmers
iotel, Rock Island, ankle broken
NJ Cannon, liquor dealer, st. LoUis leg broken
Frederick Bugle, st. Louis, badly burned
Mnna Bugle, st. Louis, bruised
Franklin Groves (residence unknown bruised.