Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-01-03
The Railroad Slaughter at Prospect.

The Railroad Slaughter at Prospect.
p LIVES LosT-TERRIBLE SUFFERING.
| The railroad accident and slaughter
near Prospect, Pa, on Tuesday, of last
week, was worse and more fearful than
first reports.
The immediate cause of the terrible
accident on the Buffalo, Cory and Pitts
burg railroad near Prospect station, a
few miles from Brockton, N. Y, Tues
day afternoon, was broken hange on the
tender-wheel. About so rods west of
the trestle-work, some 20 feet high, over
which the locomotive and tender of the
eastern bound express train passed in
safety, but the baggage and passenger
cars only two coaches being in the train,
we're thrown from the trestle, and struck
top downward. The weight of the
trucks crushed in the cars, closing in the
windows, and to render the situation
more terrible, the passenger coach was
partly tilted on its side, so that for the
occupants Of that side there was abso-
lutely no means Of escape. Almost inn
mediately the cars took fire, the passen-
ger car burning at both ends. Some
half dozen persons who were waiting
at the station were soon at the scene OF
the accident, but they worked at an i'm
mense disadvantage, as 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 togeth-
er so firmly and intricately that but lit
tie Roadway could be made with them.
All the time these efforts were being
put forth, the flames were steadily gain
ing, 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
a crevice, fastened to form, and the suf-
ferer was pulled out by main strength.
Sometimes it would be lifeless body,
and the charred arms. legs or head
would drop off 10 the struggle. In three
or four instances the head was thus sep
arated from the trunk, and 10 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 of like piece of
charcoal, while on the other hand was a
kid glove untouched, covering its jewel
ed ornaments. The body will be doubt
less recognized with the aid of the rings
but for these it would be impossible to
identify it. The bodies of three other
ladies were taken out, neither of which
it is believed can be recognized.
A later account says: After the acct
dent, Frank Taylor, one of the rescued
passengers, was leaning against some
object, and seeing an acquaintance pass
ing, called to him. The friend turned
around, and saw Taylor apparently IN
injured, but suddenly he said, Tell my
wife" and fell dead. He must have
died from internal injuries, but the in
mates of the burning cars were shrieking
for aid, and Mr.. Taylor's friend did not
see him again until his corpse was
brought in.
After the groans of the dying were
stilled in death, the stencil arising from
the burned bodies is said to have been
sickening. With no means of extin-
gushing the flames, and the heat being
too great to admit of all the bodies be-
ing extracted, nothing could be done but
to stand quietly by and see the remains
slowly consumed.