Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-08-18
KILOGRAMS TO THE STAR
This .ffIermoOn's DISPATCHES.
Press Reports.
THE LATEST RAILROAD HORROR
Trans Rushing TO Destruction
frtEhtful Collision and Loss of
Life-The Disaster the ResuIt OF
Reeklessness.


NEW YORK, August ls-Additional accounts
Of the railroad accident on the Chicago aud Al.
ton road state that the train started from Viii
low station, according to the best evidence, ten
minutes behind time, and, as Is customary on
this road to make up for lost time, undoubtedly
the rate Of speed was somewhat accelerated
The conductor and engineer knew that they
were 10 pass the coal train at Lemont, seven
miles distant, but unhappily that train do not
wait as II should have done. but came on toward
the passenger train, expecting to make Willow
station. 1t was
RACE FOR L1rE.
Inc conductor and engineer of the coal train
knew that the passenger tram, laden with
precious lives, was in front, and if they did not
reach the switch by a certain time a collision
was inevitable. Both trains were rushing to-
wards their destruction as they flew over the
iron way through the darkness, the speed in
ereasing at every revolution Of the wheels
There were
THREE CONCLUSIONS,
hrst, when the engines met and were destroyed
second, when the baggage car struck and was
smashed into fragments; and third, when the
smoking car collided and leaped into the air
ahghting on the fractured boiler OF the freight
engine. The remains of the passenger train
engine were thrown from the track toward the
east, and so were the ruins Of the baggage car
Then came the smoking car on top of the boiler.
The fore part OF this boiler was burst open by
the force with which il struck the hind wheels
remaining on the track, and there it stood at an
angle OF 80 degrees,
TIE PASSENGERS BEING IMPRISONED
in broken iron and wood, while deadly steam
came up with terrific force from the boiler be-
low. scalding those whom it touched, instantly
pulling OFF the skin and causing most excru-
ciating agony. One moment was sufficient to
cause death, but many were there several min
utes before being extricated.
ONE BREATH WAS FATAL;
the inner surface of the chest and lungs being
fearfully scOrched. As soon as they recovered
from the first shock the passengers in the two
coaches and sleeping cars who were uninJured
did all they could to rescue the sufferers. This
humane cd hv ~
Hawley, of Normal, who was the first 20 mount
the smoking car and begin
THE RESCUE
With him was Texan named Magee, who
worked ncbly. They lifted out the sufferers in
the rear OF the car, and then placed plank on
which those in the elevated end were slid own.
All were handled as gently as possible and laid
tenderly on the grass. While this was being
done, others lighted fire, taking for fuel the
broken tender. and the light shone terribly on
the sufferers, who were moaning in their agony.
The sleeping cars were empted Of their pas
sengers, and one by one the wounded were
placed in the berths and recei we'd such atten-
ton as could be given them. In the absence of
medical attendance, Ii was hard to know what
TO DO Upon the arrival of surgical assistance
from Lemont bandages were called for, and
ONE NOBLE WOMAN,
Mrs. McCord, of Bloomington, tore her under
skirt into strips until il was exhausted. Then
sheets were torn, and opiates and anesthetics
administered to give temporary relief. The
cause OF the accident was the inexcusable fool
hardness of the conductor of the freight train
In leaving Lemont when he knew that 1t was
AMATrER OF LIPK Or DEATH.
that IL was mere chance If he could reach the
switch in time, that it was his duty TO remain
there until the passenger train, which had the
right of the way, was safely by, and that any
way he had no right to run any risk or take
any chances. The station agent at Lemont, en-
treated him not 70 leave, and 50 uneasy was he
when the train did leave that he listened until
he heard the conclusion, and then he went to
secure Unnecessary aid.