The New York herald., 1872-12-27
Horrible MutilatiOn Of the Half If-COnSumed
Bodies in the Burning Cars.
-- s-Sskz->i -
Corpses Dragged Out With Ropes
Without Heads and Arms.
TIE DEAD AND WOUNDED IN FULL.
Damaging Testimony at the
Coroner's Inquest.

me immediate cause OF the accident at Prospect
station was broken flange on the tender wheel.
About sixty rods west OF the station is trestle-
work some twenty feet high. over which the loco
motive and tender OF the Eastern bound express
passed in safety, but the baggage and passenger
cars-oniy two coaches being in the train--were
thrown from the trestle and struck top downward.
The weight OF the trucks crushed in the cars,
closing up the windows, and, to render the sit
.uation even more terrible, the passenger coach
was partially tilted upon Its side, that for the
occupants Of that side there were absolutely no
means OF escape. Almost
IMMEDIATELY THE CARS TOOK FIRE,
the passenger coach burning at both ends Some
half dozen persons waiting at the station were
soon at the scene OF the accident but they worked
ct an immense disadvantage. No water could be
had, and the snow that was scraped up had little
effect In staying the flames. Only two
axes were available, and the woodwork OF
the cars was bolted together so firmly
and intricatey that but little headway
could be made with them. All the time these efforts
were being put forth the flames were steadily gain
ing and the shrleKs OF the imprisoned victims as
the scorching heat cnveloped them was appalling
to the stoutest heart. Now and then q rope was
put through crevice, fastened TO a form and the
sufferer pulled out by main strength Sometimes IL
would be liteess body and the charred arms
legs, or head would drop Off in the struggle. In
three or four instances
THE HEAD WAS THUS SEPARATED
from the trunk, and in as many more cases the
body was bercft OF its limbs. The body Of q lady
was thus rescued from the iames the head and
one arm swapping OF like piece OF charcoal,
while the other arm untouched, a kid glove
covering the hand and her fingers wearing
their jeweiled ornaments. The body viii
doubtless be recognized with the aid OF
the rings. But for these 1t would have
been impossible to identify it, The bodies OF three
other ladies' were taken out, neither !. Of Which, II ls
that fully ten OF the nineteen forms removed from
the burning car are unrecognizabc. IT is supposed
Of others were
CONSUMED IN THE BURNING CAR,
and that nothing but their Dackened bones VIII be
ashes raked over. Adding these to the number or
injured that will die, it is estimated the total num-
ber OF lives lost will not fall short OF thirty-the
whole number of persons In the two cars at the
time of the accident being about forty-hve.
Of tSa rescued WSs asans
some object. and seeing an acquaintance passing,
called him by name: The friend turned around.
saw Taylor apparently uninjured, but suddenly he
said,
'TEIL MY WIFE"
and fell over dead. lie mist have died from In
ternal injury, but the inmates Of the burning cars
were shrleking for aid and Mr.. Taylor's friend did
not see him again until his corpse was brought In
and placed with the others. After the groans Of
the dying were stilled in death the stencil arising
from the burning bodies Is said to have been sick
cnng. With no means OF extinguishing the flames,
and the heat being too intense TO admit of all the
bodies being extracted, nothing could be done by
the spec ators but to stand quietly by and see the
The following is a letter from the correspondent
Of the Erie Despatch, WHO was at the scene OF the
disaster:-
MAYvILLE, N. ", Dec. 90. 1872
The bodies thus far identified are Mark Haight,
Of BroctOn, N. Y.
william H. osborne, of westfeId, NY.
Herman RYAN, OF Farnlam, N, Y.
Edwin II. Bell, OF Sherman, N. Y.
Con Maloney, of Brocton, N. Y.
Frank Taylor, CT Corrv Pa.
John White, OF Lancaster N. Y.
August Cardat OF Arkwright, N. Y.
Charles Metz, OF Eden Corners, near Angola, MY.
Mr. and Mrs Wilbur + Rice Ttusville, Pa
Kate Riley, OF Dunkirk, N. Y.
william Rankin a lab0rer, from Canada.
James H. McCarten. OF Miller Station, N Y.
Four bodies only remain unrecOgnZed.
All the wounded but Maggie Curtin, w. II. Tick
ner. Mrs. Cornelia McCarten and Fayette Flanders
left Prospect station for their homes.
At the Chautauaua House, Mayville one John
Douglass, q Canadian, has his lett shoulder ana
breast broken, but he may recover.
John Cowdrey, OF Cory, head cut and internal
Barney Cook, of Lancaster, bad internal injuries !;
his recovery is very doubtful. All the others are
doing well. There were thrty-elght paying pas
sengcrs OH the train and five employees back OF the
tender.
fed that the train ran very fast. II. II. Lee and
others cOntradicted 1t.
The fireman says they were running five miles
Orvilie Swift, of Cory was on the train, and his
body has not been recognized.
Two OF the four bodies unclaimed are shapeless
Mr.. Douglass who was in the car twenty five
minutes, says several passengers were killed out
right, others were writhing about until suffOcated
and others were conscious until burned to death.
The inquest was adjourned until Saturday, when
the testimony OF Conductor Flanders Will be taken.