New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-11
Shocking Railroad Accident.

tensive, and in every respect the most hor-
rible, of the fatal accidents that have Oc-
Cured in the West, shocked the cOmmu-
nifty yesterday afternoon. Its appalling
details were slowly gathered and it was
not until midnight that the full nature OF
the occurrence became apparent.
1t appears that as the ght express from
Rockford to st. Louis, on the Rockford,
Rock Island and St. Louis railroad, was
nearing Alton junction, at quarter past
six o'clock yesterday morning, it cOllided
with freight train bound north. Both
trains were at a high rate OF speed, and
the engineers were unable to check either
Of them, although the brakes were whis-
tied down and the wheels were reversed.
They came together with terrific shock.
Both locomotives careened in the air, and
finally settled down completely wrecked.
The passenger train consisted of two
sleeping cars, a coach and a smoking car
BY the force of the blow the baggage car
was telescoped into the coach next behind
it, which was filled with passengers.
The scene that ensued is represented as
being too terrible for description. The
broken timbers, the shrieks of the trighten-
ed women, the groans of the wounded and
the dying, the imprecations and beseeching
calls of those who were confined in the
wreck, succeeded quickly to the noise made
by the engines that plunged into each other
To add to the horror, the Goals from the
overturned stoves ignited the splintered
woodwork of the wrecked cars. and in less
time than it takes to write the story the
train was in flames, funeral pyre. Those
who were only slightly injured, but unable
to free themselves from the timbers that
pinioned them, became raying maniacs at
the approach of the flames, and died Shrek
ing for aid that could not be given them.
A gentleman who was passenger on the
train saws the scene was indescribably hOr
rible. Mr.. and Mrs. Reuben Rains and their
little child were seated in the fore part of
the car when the collision occurred, and
were thrown by the telescoping of the cars
to the rear. The husband was extricated
without great difficulty, but it was found
impossible TO remove the debris from the
wife. Her head and portion of the body
were exposed. and her frantic cries for as
sistance for the child We're heartrending.
The little thing was finally got out, but the
poor woman was soon wrapped in flames,
and her screams and PRAYERS grew weaker
and weaker until silenced in death. Mr..
Rains injuries. it is feared will prove fatal,
as he was still unconscious when our in
formant left.
One man was caught by the foot only, but
all efforts to release him proved futile. An
ak was sent for. III compliance with his re-
quest that the foot should be cut Off, but be-
fore it arrived the flames reached him, and
soon nothing but his charred remains could
he found.
Four bodies were found. but it is believed
by those who were on the train that twice
that number must have persisted. The list
of wounded is very large, and only par
tial list can be made.
The trains came together in deep cut as
they were turning a slight curve, which
cd +Ioi, haIn
until they were well upon each other The
engineers and firemen escaped by jumping
from their engines.
No doubt exists as TO the cause OF the
accident. The conductor OF the freight
train, who is now in this city, states that
he left the last station before the scene OF
the accident, behind time, but with the be-
lief that he could reach the next station
before the passenger train. He missed his
calculation by nineteen minutes, although
running with valves open and every pound
of steam on.
The freight train was behind time, and
should have side-tracked at the junction,
but instead of doing so, kept straight on.
causing the most frightful accident that it
has ever been our lot to report. The con-
ductor of the freight train jumped off when
the trains collided and sought safety in
flight. His name is Baker. We also heard
that his engineer and fireman followed his
example. This, however, needs confrma-
ton.
The whole responsibility OF this terrible
affair rests upon Bakers shoulders, as Mr..
Fitzgerald, the conductor of the passenger
train, WAS running his train on time, and
supposed it would pass the freight train at
the junction.
When the accident occurred Mr.. Rains,
his wife and children were sitting together
on one seat, the child between its parents
The force of the collision was such that the
seats were damned together and these I'M
fortunates were caught in the wreck. Mr..
Rains finally succeeded in extricating him
SELF although terribly burned Mr.. Frank
lin Grover tried bis utmost to rescue the
unfortunate Mrs. Rains, and almost tore
her clothes of in his efforts, but all in vain.
Seeing that Lis eXertiods TO save her would
not be successful, he left her and tried to
save the child, and succeeded in doing so,
although at great personal risk.
The train boy was badly injured; we were
unable to learn his name.
The wounded were all conveyed, as soon
as possible, to Brighton, where they are
now being cared for.
CORONER's INQUEST.
The bodies of the unfortunates who per-
ishea in the railroad disaster to-day were
brought into Alton, and tomorrow the in
quest Will be held and all the facts in the
ease e1icitea