The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-20

seated beside it, and the light OF the IRE was dis
tncty seen outside the train, but was supposed to
be signal TO warn approaching trains or to aid
the rescuers In prosecuting their labors The
bridge
WHERE THE DISASTER HAPPENED
is between thirty and forty feet wide and the
depth OF the chasm is about twenty feet. Nearly
forty rods above this point is grist and saw min
on the Pawcatuck River, and supply OF water for
the mills is received by means OF o DAM The storm
swept away the dam and the water in the stream
below rose to height OF ten feet, carrying away
the railroad bridge and abutments. which were
found about nfty rods below The rails at either
end Of the bridge were left sticking up, and when
the train came dash;ng along the
ENGINE AND TENDER LEApED THE cHAsM
and landed on the opposite side. Immediately be-
hind were two crate cars, which plunged into the
opening followed by the second class passenger
car, containing number of emigrants and party
OF sailors belonging in Boston, who were returning
from New York. AS this car piled upon the crate
cars 1t was splintcred into kindling wood, and the
persons inside were tumbled into the water and
bruised, and one Of their number lost. 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
number OF passengers, and was the one in which
Mr.. Holstrom was seated. Behind this was another
passenger car and . smoking car both Of which
were saved by uncoupling and running them back
from the wreck. The general opinion among the
passengers seemed to be that the
FIRE CAUGHT FROM THE STOVE
in the second class car, though its work was done
80 quickly that the origin WIN probably never be
definitely known. No one yet arrived In Boston
can give list Of the dead or the number killed,
but the general estimate is rom eight to twelve.
Latest Detafls-Nine Bodies Recovered
No Inquest Deemed Necessary.
PROVIDENCE II. l., April 10, 1873.
Nine bodies have been recovered thus far.
Thomas Nolan, OF Boston, had his thigh frac-
tured. the engineer and fireman were burned to
a crisp at their posts. Two of the unknown per-
sons recovered had their limbs burned or, leaving
their trunks only. No inquest is deemed necessary
by the Coroner. The bodies have been brought to
this city.
.sOut of los passengers,n says Mr.. Conductor
Gardiner, Il can account for but forty-two people
who have been rescued dead or alive from the
wreck.n
Mr.. Gardiner was in the rear car at the time OF
the accident, and busness.like, when he saw what
had occurred. sent a signal man back with a red
lantern to warn the approaching New York ex-
press train, so AZ to avoid a double
calamity. He adds to the statement quoted
above by saying that . great proportion
OF the missing ones were probably washed out
towards tidewater or lie drowned at the bottom OF
the creek. Some OF them, perhaps, may have been
cared for in the few dwellings which are scattered
about this dismal locality, but that number must
be easily counted.
Mr.. Charles Browner, one OF the passengers on
the train SAYS that there were seven cars three
mats which contained crates OF fruit and four pas
senger cars, one OF which was the emigrant car
When the train struck the bridge the nat cars went
to the bottom OF the river, which had been swollen
by the late freshet to twice its usual sze The pas
senger cars were piled upon the hats and were
each teescoped
THE sHRIEKs OF THE PASSENGERS
were heartrending as they were damned in by the
seats. Mr.. Brown reports seeing pile OF bones
and flesh by the side OF hot stove, which were
equal to four persons. The cars were set on fire
by the stoves and explosions Of kerosene lamps.
He says among those heard screaming in the cars
for assistance was Mr.. A. F. Allen OF Providence.
The train was forty minutes behind time. Mr..
Brown says that there were certainly between
twenty-five AMI thirty persons killed.
There was just enough Of the engineer left to
identify him. When discovered his body was be-
tween the driving wheels OF the engine. The Are
mans body was completely mashed to jelly Mr.
Brown also says that he saw numerous pieces OF
flesh and bones lying upon the bank OF the river
There were many persons striving to crawl from
the wreck with broken legs, mangled and bruised
faces and heads.
Mr.. J. Frank Daley, one of the conductors on
the Stonngton and Providence Railroad, states
that there were in all three nat cars baggage and
express cars, and two passenger cars wrecked and
buried. left the Of the disaster at halfpast
nine, ana at that time seven bodies had been dis
covered. There were from fifteen to twenty
wounded.
THE PASSENGERS WHO ESCAPED
and the baggage were transferred to the accom-.
mediation train, which arrived here at noon.
The work Of repair was vigorously prose-
cuted, and the shore line train passed
through reaching this city at one O'Clock.
The steamboat train arrived here at quarter to
three O'Clock. The latter train contained the
wounded nassenpers and on its arrival thcv ware