Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1872-02-22

west-northwestwardly direction, for
some little distance, and then curves
rather sharply to the north, in a cut about
sixteen feet deep. The conductor of the
passenger train, on arriving at the Upper
Alton station, and hearing nothing of
the north bound freight train, sup
posed it 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, it 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
force. The front part of both were shiver-
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 hap
pened to be looking out ahead and saw
bhO SlllhC, up III bh1C an
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 shivercd
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 q 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
out 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 endeav-
oring to relieve him, when the flames
leaped 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 difficulty after the fire
had broken out; some of them were quite
severely burned.
THE WOUNDED.
! The number of those who received per-
sonal injuries is variously stated at from
thirteen to seventeen. 1t is probable that
the former is more nearly correct than
the figures last given. Some of the wound
ed were very seriously hurt Mr. Can
man, of st. Louis, suffered a compound
fracture of the leg, and was otherwise
bruised Another gentleman had his jaw
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
and face, and others received injuries in
the chest and about the body.
CHASTITY REMAINS.
The bodies, or what remained of them,
of the four victims of the fire, were con-
veyed to Alton, and placed in the office of
Mr.. O'Connor, undertaken, and will be
kept there until this morning, when a
Coroner's inquest will be held. The
names of two of them had not been fully
ascertained.
The remains of these victims are so
much consumed that recognition is impUs-
sible. Their limbs are entirely consumed.
OF three of them nothing is left but the
headless trunk; the fourth has no legs
left. These charred remains present a
spectacle truly horrifying.
LIST OF KILLED AND INJURED.
The following is the list of killed and
injured as far as could be ascertained yes
terday.
Joseph Friessen (resdence unknown, burned to
death.
Mrs. Reuben Raines, Henry County, Iowa, burn
ed to death.
Man, supposed to be Mr.. Herman Neuberger, OF
Barry Pike County, Ill, burned to death.
Unknown man, body not having been identified
burned to death.
Unknown man, killed.
Reuben Raines Henry County, Iowa, badly cu
on the head and body.
Isaac Barnhardt (residence unknown) badly
burned and head cut.
August Maube, boy lately employed at GARNER
Hotel, Rock Island ankle broken.
NJ. Cannon. liquor dealer, st. Louis, leg broken
| Frederick Bugle st. Louis, badly burned.
Minna Buge, st. Louis bruised.
Franklin Groves (residence unknown bruised.
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