Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-01-09
The Pennsylvania Railroad Horror.

A letter from Erie, Pa, gives the fol-
lowing narrowing details of the recent
terrible railroad accident at Prospect
Station, Pa:
The immediate cause of the accident
at Prospect Station was broken hange
on the tender wheel. About 60 rods
west of the station is a trestle work
some 80 feet high, over which the locomo-
tive and tender of the eastern bound
train passed in safety, bat the baggage
and passenger cars, only two coaches
being on the train, were thrown from the
trestle, fell 80 feet, and struck top down
ward. The weight of the trucks crushed
In the cars, closing up the windows, and
to render the situation even more terri
BILE, the passenger coach was partially
tilted upon its side, so that for the oc-
cupants of that side there were no means
of escape. Almost Immediately the cars
took fire, the passenger coach burning at
both ends.
Some half a. dozen persons waiting at
the station were soon at the scene of the
accident, but they worked at an immense
disadvantage. No water could be had,
and the snow that was scraped up had
but little effect in staying the flames.
Only two axes were available, and the
wood work of the cars was bolted to-
gether so firmly and intricately that but
little headway could be made with
them.
All the time that these efforts were
being put forth the flames were steadily
gaining, and the shrieks of the impris-
oned victims, as the scorching heat en-
veloped them, was appalling to the stout
est heart. Now and then rope was put
through a cornice, fastened to form,
and the sufferer pulled out by main
,orfh ha
less 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 bereft of
its limbs. The body of lady was thus
rescued from the flames, the head and
one arm swapping off like piece of
charcoal, while the other arm remained
untouched, a dainty kid glove covering
the hand, and her fingers wearing their
jeweled ornaments. The body viii
doubtless be recognized with the aid of
the rings; but for these it would have
been impossible to identify it. The
bodies of three other ladies were taken
out, neither of which can be recognized
by their friends.
Adding these to the number of in
jured that will die, it is estimated that
the total number 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 As.
Frank Taylor, of Cory, was leaning
against some object, and seeing an ac-
quaintanee passing called him by name.
The friend turned around and saw Tay-
lor, apparently uninjured, but suddenly
he said, "ten my wife" and fell over
dead. He must have died from some
internal injury. The inmates of the
burning cars were crying 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 was sickening. With
no means of extinguishing the flames,
and the heat being too intense to admit
of all the bodies being extricated, moth
ing could be done by the spectators but
to stand quietly by and see the remains
slowly consumed.