Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-05-08

HASH VI eleCtElClty anu eptii atlSi SPsH " so
drawn from the piers and sank to the waters
surface, till the whole five hung like immense
bags holding bruised, bleeding, frightened,
and frantic mass of men, women, children,
and horses. The Imagination can scarcely
conceive of more terrible calamity. The
situation was so terrible, the chances of es-
cape so few, the chance of aid so scanty, that
it is merely marvellous that the loss of life is
not greater.
| The water runs in swift currents over a
dam not more than 100 yards above, and it
was so swollen by recent rains that its depth
was about twenty feet. Not only those who
were preopitated with the falling span went
under the water, but many on the other spans
were either thrown by the shock into the
stream, or plunged in themselves to escape
being crushed by the crazy crowd. The
scene cannot be described. The fancy can
not picture it. The eyes of those who wit
messed it were blinded with horror, and the
whole crowd on the banks stood paralyzed
for moment, unable to speak or move until
the mind could catch faint comprehension
of the situation. An old man who sat on a
log near the bank, when the bridge went
down, says II heard the crack and saw the
surging, rolling line. l heard voices and
then my head was dizzy and whirled till the
sky looked black"
AS soon as the fact was felt by the crowd
Strong men plunged in to rescue those who
came to the surface. Boards and planks were
thrown to their relief, and number of boats
which were fortunately at hand were sent i'm
medately to the aid of the wounded Few of
those who were saved can tell who rescued
them, and most Of those who were most in
strumental in saving life, are unable yet to
recall what they did or whom they helped in
the moment of frenzy. There were stretch
Low stin ,1i IN 4 ho butm opts birb
not loosened by the fall, and TO these were
clinging persons, desperate for life. The air
is thick with miraculous escape and the deeds
of brave rescuers. Mr.. Henry T. Noble,
prominent citizen and manufacturer, stood in
the centre of the span, with his wife and DIR.
, and Mrs. Hoffman, holding little Grace Smith
in his arms. He says: II felt the bridge
tremble then came crash, and we were all
down. l clasped the child closer, and while
in the air, made desperate effort to plunge.
t l struck the water feet down, and felt the bot
tom. l gave a spring and was almost instant
ly at the surface. The child was apparently
. insensible, and clinging to my coat and hair.
II l threw her body over my shoulder and struck
i cut for the shore. 1twas hard swimming, for
the water was full of iron, planks, and bodies.
i just as l was fairly gaining progress man
l. whose head and face were bleeding terribly
IS seized me by the left arm and almost took me
uHueT. ulcu W lItc SCH, Uut HIS 81 aoP
was strong steel, and giving up all hope.
broke the hold of the child and, holding her
out of the water, threw her with all the force
e of my right arm, toward the shore. A man
= with boat caught her before she sank and
$ took her in. l went to the bottom again with
: him.
& Mrs. Noble and Mrs. Hoffman were cut by
: the falling timber, and were drowned. The
bodies were recovered in the afternoon DIR.
{ 10 tl,a hot al in n
: dition. His wife was buried this morning.
, He has friends in Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chi
cago and other cities.
As soon as the observers cOmprehended the
situation they ran over the town and spread
the news. The town became at once pos
sessed with intense excitement and mothers
rushed about frantically apprehensive for the
safety Of their children. AS the crushed and
mangled bodies were brought to shore the air
was rent with walls of sorrow from broken
hearts over their dearest treasures. Hus-
bands and wives were clasped in each others
arms; pious mothers fell down upon their
knees and thanked merciful Providence that
their friends had been spared; women tainted
and strong men bent down ard wept. Each
lifeless body brought to light, rent tome heart
+ anew, and each one rescued alive caused a
shout of joy. Mourning and rejoicing were
mingled together.
AHS "oIh Va sedTCH anu TeCOfeTy continued
through the afternoon. Nearly all the loss
of life was owing to the crushing weight of
the bridge, for all who came to the surface of
} the water were quickly saved. Men seemed
to have superhuman strength given them,
and took alarming hazards without the culver
of a. muscle. Edward Patrick, Frederick
Shaw, William Daimler, William Lawson,
: William Shylock, Atwood Barr, Henry
Wood, James Van Arman, and other young
h<l.l A.
: like heroes with the bodies of seless women
e and children. Jacob Armstrong went down
with the crash, but crawled from under the
. network of iron, saved himself and then
G plunged in again and saved others.
+ William Schulles, Jos. Hayden, Eustace
;, Shaw, narrowly escaped death, but extrica.ed
II themselves from the iron-work, and swan
: ashore. Tony Brantigan, boy eight years
: old, chung to plank, and was rescued half a
r. mile down river. Frederick Hope was found
- floating two miles down the river, and was
l. rescued. young lady named Hazenplug
c had narrow escape, being protected by a
n network of iron at the side of the abutments
child of John Wadsworth was seized by
I! the hair by a swimmer and drawn to the
# shore.
/. Rev. Mr.. Pratt, the officiating clergyman,
was just repeating the ritual when the bridge
: fell. He threw off his coat and boots, and by
!. lives. The man is totally crushed by the
weight of sorrow. lie has some injuries, and
suffered much from exposure.
The session Of H. w. G. Lodge of Good
1t Templars is postponed to July goth 1t will
i occur at the city of London, England, and the
n Good Templars of Great Britain are making
extensive preparation for the reception and
e entertainment of the American delegation.
n The extension of this Order in Great Britain
:, within tile past year is unprecedented
q special cable despatch from Madrid, rep
p resents the advocates of a federal republic as
C active and revolutionary in their demonstra-
;. tions at the capital. Although the threat of
= an armed demonstration was made the meeting
q Monday was of a peaceable, although cxcit.
!, ing character, and placards were literally
e displayed setting forth the demands of the