The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-06
A General Estimate of One Hun
dred Lives Lost.
INCIDENTS OF ESCAPE.
Efforts to Raise the Debris Of
the Bridge.
Light on the Cause of the Great
Loss of Life.

No other bodies OF victims OF the bridge disaster
have been recovered this point up to the present
hour. but seven bodies have been picked up at
the swift current has borne others still further
down stream. The general estimate OF the loss
as ninety TO one hundred. AS stated In q previous
despatch thirtytwo bodies were recovered before
dark. Five bodies noated past the men at work at
the wreck and have not been found. II is supposed
that at least fifty bodies are still in the water;
most OF them, 1t is supposed, are under the wreck
Of the bridge. The bridge. which was OF iron,
about twenty-five feet above the river. which is
from fifteen to twenty-five feet deep. Only the
two end spans fell; the three middle spans are
standing. but in such a condition that it is
removed. workmen are busy tonight putting up
derrick In order to clear the wreck, and making
arrangements to secure the bodies beneath 1t. It
Ia now stated that there were 800 persons on the
greater number escaped than was at first sup
posed.
WHEN THE BRIDGE GAVE WAY
most OF the people were gathered at either end,
though large number were near the centre, and
some OF the latter remained where they were after
the crash and were taken Off IN boats Several per-
sons jumped from their precarious resting place,
and were drawn ashore. Two horses attached
to buggy were on the middle span when the
crash came, and remain there STILL as there Is no
way of getting them off, There were q number OF
remarkable escapes of children. of whom there
were probably not less than fifty on the bridge.
One little fellow, aged thirteen years, was caught
by both feet in the iron rigging Of one OF the
spans, and had q leg broken; but he
managed by sheer strength to pull one OF his boots
or and then coolly took out his knife and ripped
the other boot from the crippled leg and swan
ashore. Two little girls, sisters, standing side by
side. went down together. The elder caught the
other by the dress with one hand, and with the
other hand seized part OF the wreck and main
tanned their heads above the Icy water until res
cued.
No additional names OF killed are yet known.
During the night the workmen got the derricks in
work is accomplished hardly anything further can
be done. There are crowds OF people on the
banks Of the river this morning viewing
the scene of the disaster, the majority OF whom
are looking for missing friends. The telegraph
wires are kept constantly in use with messages
from all parts OF the United States. Every house
IN the city Is In mourning
Mrs. P. NJ. Alexander and Mrs. Vance died this
morning from the effects OF their injuries.
RAISING THE BRIDGE.
The derricks for raising the fallen spans Of the
bridge were got In place shortly before noon to-
day and the work OF recovering the bodies Of the
unfortunates under the bridge commenced. The
following are those recovered to-day Mrs.
G. W. Klntner, Mrs. e. Hope, Robert
Dixie, Frank Hamilton. and Miss Nellie Hill.
There are great numbers OF people in the
city, and the river banks. near the scene OF the
accident, have been lined to-day with people to
witness the result OF the search. 1t Is certain
there are other bodies still beneath the ruins
OF the fallen spans, but how many it Is i'm
possible to determine. Forty bodies, alto
gether, have been recovered so far, and it
is believed that twelve or thirteen more
are still in the river. 1t Is now believed that the
number on the bridge at the time OF the accident
did not exceed $50. The wounded are nearly all
doing well. The Coroner's inquest was commenced
to-day. Nothing OF interest was elected, and the
inquest was adjourned until tomorrow.
CINCINNATI May S, 1873.
Dispatches from Dixon, H.. after giving the par
tculars Of the disaster which substantially the
same as telegraphed last night say the bridge. as
torn and broken, hangs from the piers, and Is
an appalling sight In ITSELF At each end men,
women and children were crushed into the river,
while at the north end where the loss OF life was
greatest, the bodies were held firmly to the bottom
OF the river in the network OF iron.
Mrs. Daniel Cheney, who, it was feared, was
fatally injured, is now better.
Mr.. Charles Murray fractured bone OF the leg
and collar bone, and a severe flesh wound, but Is
doing well this morning.
Mrs. Murray is also comfortable and better.
Mrs. Ella Campbell, OF Devontown, was severely
injured, but is doing well. ;
There were several buggies on the bridge, but,
strange to say no one in the vehicles was injured,
and the horses also escaped.
william S. Hillock's horse and wagon are still on
the bridge, and food for tae horse has to be carried
to II.
Jacob Armstrong Jr, went down in the crash,
and was compelled to crawl on the bottom OF the
river out from under the sidewalk OF the bridge,
but, being an athletic young man, saved himself,
and helped rescue several.
Charles Mcbride also saved many lives.
Colonel II. T. Noble made q narrow escape; he
hold Mra Srnith,a tIn child and want dnxn with