Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-04-20
A Whole Train Goes Through a
Bridge at Richmond Switch,
Massachusetts,.
Full Particulars from Officers and
Passengers-What Next in the
Way of Sudden Death 2


and fifteen persons are supposed to have
been killed. Six bodies have already
been recovered from the ruins. The
accident was caused by a freshet
SECOND DISPATCH.
BOSTON, April ia dispatch from
conductor Gardner says all the car:
were burned but the smOking-car anG
one other. Fifteen or twenty persons
were burned to death and quite num-
Der wounded.
Nine bodies have been recovered. The
engineer and firemen were burned tC
crisps at their posts.
THIRD DISPATCH.
PROVIDENCE, r. l., April I9.-Tht
bodies of William d. Guile, engineer
George Eldridge, fireman, Albert Allen
of Providence, Jerry Creamer, of BOs.
ton, and two unknown persons, have
been recovered.
FOURTH DISPATCH.
STONINGToN, Conn, April 19.-Tht
steamer StoniDgtOn arrived here about
two o'clock this morning. There were
about one hundred and seventy passen.
gers, who took the half-past two O'Clock
train from this place for Providence and
Boston. At Richmond switch, dam
across a small mill-stream had been car.
ried away, letting the water from En-
Mss pond, which supplies the power
for a grist-mill, down upon the railroad
bridge, located about three hundred
feet distant, completely washing il
away. No one was living near the
pond, so that the breaking away of the
dam was not known until the train was
thrown into the chasm. One of the iron
rails on the opposite track was driven
completely through the engine. Viii
liam Gill, engineer, and George Ed
ridge, fireman, died at their posts, and
their charred remains have been taken
from the wrecked engine. The former
leaves a family. The killed are very
much disfigured. Seven bodies have
been recovered. Conductor Orrin Gard
ner escaped; Thomas Nolan, through
brakesman, seriously injured in the
thigh. All the other brakesmen es-
capped with but slight injuries.
The killed, as far as recovered,
in addition to those mentioned,
are Albert Allen, Providence; Jerry
Cameron, Boston; John Callahan, New
York. There are about thirty-five
wounded, some OF them seriously. 1t
is thought several Of the bodies have
been washed down stream as the flood
was probably at its hight. The engine
made fearful leap, passing over the
stream and embedding itself in the op-
pOsite embankment. Three passenger
coaches only were burned, two first-clsss
and one second class; the other three
cars burned We're what railroad men
call baggage-flsts. The three cars that
contained the baggage and express
were what prevented greater loss of life
The damaged bridge has been repaired
and trains are again running on time
Conductor Gardiner was jammed in be-
tween the seats by the shock, but avoid
ed double disaster by Immediately call
ing out for some one to go back with q
signal of danger for the mail train, which
was just behind and approaching at a
rapid speed. Jonas HolstrOm, a paSsen-
ger, gives the following account of the
accident: He was in the left hand side
of the rear end of the car, and in front
of him, on the opposite side, near the
stove, were two young men, apparently
from twenty to twenty-five years
of age, and dire city behind them
was Mr.. Benjamin K. Knapp, jr., OF
Boston. HOlstrom, Immediately after
the shock, heard the young men and
Knapp call for help to eXtricate them,
as they were wounded and held fast by
the splintered portions of the proceed
ing ear. On reaching Knapp it was
found that one of his legs was injured
aud HOlstrom and several others set
about to extricate him and the tw,
young men. Suddenly a volume o.
flames shot into the car door, and in
stantly the mass of splinters was OIL
fire, the flames rushing through
the car as quickly as though the wood
had been but lot of paper OF
hay. The rescuers had barely time t.
relieve Knapp from his position, when
they were obliged TO fly for their lives
the two unfortunate young men wert
left to meet their fate, and burned t.
death in few minutes. With these ex-
ceptions none of the other occupants o
this car were known to have perished.
though quite number had very mar
row escape. Just before the fire burst
into the ear, HOlstrOm and others wer
engaged in prying up stove which haG
imprisoned two young men seated
beside it. The bridge where the disaster
happened is between twenty and forty
lcCl WlUt, anu Nuc We pm Vi lAic CudSlD
about twenty feet. Nearly forty rod
above this point is grist and saw-min
on the Sawtucket river, and a supply o.
water is received by means of a dam
The storm swept away the dam, and the
water in the stream below rose to the
hight of ten feet, carrying away
the railroad bridge and abutments
which were found about fifty rods
below. The rails at either end
Of the bridge were left sticking up, and
when the train came dashing along the
engine and tender leaped the chasm and
landed on the opposite side. Immedi
ately behind were the crate cars, which
plunged into the opening, followed by
the secOnd-class passenger, containing
a number Of emigrants aud a party OF
sailors belonging in Boston, who were
returning from New York. As this car
piled upon the crate cans, it was splint-
cred into kindling wood, and the per
sons inside were tumbled into the river.
and with one exception were saved un.
injured. In the rear of this was a car
which contained but two passengers
and Thomas Nolan, the brakeman. The
next car was occupied by quite mum
Der Of passengers, and was the one
Ia which HolstrOm was seated. Behind
this was another passenger car and a
smoking car, both Of which We're saved
by uncoupling and running them back
from the wreck. The general opinion
among the passengers seemed to be that
the fire caught from a stove in the sec
ond-elass car, though its work was done
50 quickly that the origin will probably
never be definitely known. No one
who has vet arrived in Boston can give
any testimony as to the number o.
killed, but the estimate is from eight tC
twelve.
vICE-PREsIDEET's STATEMENT.
NEW YORK, April I'D s. Babcock
vice-president of the StOningtOn line
makes the following statement: So far
only five passengers and two employei
have been found to have been killed
The cause of the accident is very plain
The dam, one hundred and fifty yard
above the bridge, gave way, and pTecip
itated pile Of lumber against the abut
ments Of the bridge, which forced an
other dam, and the overflow under
mined the aDutments. The bridge was
only twenty feet span. The wounded
mostly emlgrants, have been sent to
hospital in Providence. Tie enRipee
died at bis post, with his hand on tn,
throttle-yaive. There will be no furthel
interruption OF travel.
REDUCTION OF THE NUMBER oI
ROASTED.
Providence, April l9.-There wer,
probably but seven persons killed
namely, MesErs. Allen. Dreamer. {3uf{n