Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-01-10
The Accident on the Buffalo & Cory
Railroad.
ERIE. Pa, December 9

The immediate cause of the accident at
Prospect Station was broken hange on
the tender.wheel. About sixty rods west
of the station Is tTestle work some
thirty feet high over which the locomotive
and tender of the Eastern-bound express
passed in safety, but the baggage and
passenger cars (only two coaches being
in the train) were thrown from the trestle,
fell thirty feet, and struck top downward.
The weight of the trucks crushed in the
cars, closing up the windows, and, to
render the situation even more terrible,
the passenger coach was partially tilted
upon its side so that, for the occupants of
that side, there we're 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 we're 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 little effect in staying the
flames.
Only two axes were available, and the
woodwork of the cars was bolted together
so firmly and intricately that but little
headway could be made with them. All
the time these efforts we're being put
forth, the flames were steadily gaining
and the shrieks of the imprisoned victims
as the scorching heat enveloped them,
was appalling to the stoutest heart. Now
and then rope was put through crew
ice, fastened to a form, and the sufferer
pulled out by main strength. Sometimes
it would be lifeless 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 was un-
touched, dainty kid glove covering the
hand, and the fingers wearing their jew
eled ornaments. The body will doubt
less 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, IL is believed,
can be recognized by friends. In all, it
is estimated that fully ten of the nineteen
forms moved from the burning car are
unrecognizable. 1t is supposed that in
addition to the bodies recovered a num-
| ber of others were consumed in the burn
| ing cars, and that nothing but their black
/
] fire is extinguished and the ashes raked
over. Adding these to the number oi
! injured that will die, it is estimated that
the total number of lives lost will not fall
short of thirty, the whole number of per
sons in the two cars at the time of the ac
cident being about forty-five. Frank
Taylor, of Cory, was leaning against
some object, and seeing an acquaintance
passing, called him by name. The friend
turned round, and saw Taylor, apparent
ly uninjured, but suddenly he said, "Tel
my wife," and fell over dead. He must
have died from some internal injury
But the inmates of the burning cars were
shrieking for aid, and Mr.. Taylor:
friend did not see him again until hi.
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
sickening. With no means of extin
| gushing the flames, and the heat being
too intense to admit of all the bodies be
ing extricated, nothing could be done by
the spectators but to stand quietly by ant
see the remains slowly consumed.
MAYvuLE, N. Y, December a6.
The bodies thus far identified are
Mack Haight, Brocton, N. Y; W. II
Osborne, Westfiell, N. Y; Herman
Ryan, Farnham, N. Y; Edwin H. Bell
Sherman, N. Y. Con. Maloney, Brocton
N. Y; Frank Taylor, Cory, Pa; John
White, Lancaster, N. T.; August Cardat
Arkwright, N. Y; Chas. Metz, Eder
Corners, near Angola, n. Y; Mr.. ant
Mrs. Wilbur, Titusvillc, Pa; JOSEPH
Curtin, Titusville, Pa; Kate Riley, Dun
kirk, N. Y; VIM Bankin, laboreI, from
Canada; Joseph II. McCarter, Miller Sta
tioR, Pa.
There were thirty-eight paying passen
gers on the train, and five employees bacl
of the tender.
At the inquest, Henry Miller and J. J
Marks testified that the train ran very
fast. W. A. Lee, and others, contra
dicted it. The fireman says five mile
per hour.