Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-18
The Chicago d Alton II. II. Disaster.

New YORK, Aug. lS-AdditioDal accounts
of the railroad accident on the Chicago and
| Alton road state that the train started from
| Willow Station, according to the best evidence,
ten minutes behind time, and as is customary
on this road to make up for lost time, uudoubt-
edly the rate of speed was somewhat accelera-
ted. The conductor and engineer knew they
were to pass the coal train at Lemout, seven
miles distant, but unhapply that train did not
wait as it should have done but came on toward
the passenger train, expecting to make Willow
Station. 1t was race for life. The conductor
and engineer of the coal train knew that the
passenger train, laden with precious lives, was
in front, and if they did not reach the switch by
certain time that collision was Inevitable
Both trains were rushing towards their destruc-
ton as they few over the iron way through the
darkness, the speed increasing at every rcvou-
ton Of the wheels. There were three concus
sons-frst when the engines met and were de-
stroyed, second when the baggage car struck
and was smashed into fragments, and third
when the smoking car colldcd aud lcaped into
the air alightiug on the fractured boiler OF the
freight engine The remains of the passenger
train engine were thrown from the truck toward
the east, and 50 were the ruins OF the baggage
car Then came the smoking Car on top Of
the boiler The torepart Of this boiler was
burst open by the force with which it struck,
the hind wheels remaining on the track. On
there it stood at an angle of 30 degrees, passcn-
gers being imprisoned in broken iron and wood,
while deadly steam came up with terrific force
from the boiler below, scalulng those whom 1t
touched, instantly peelng oft the skin and
causing most cXcruclatlng agony. One moment
was sufficient to cause death, but many were
there several minutes before being extricated.
~ ~ E,+, ba IF
chest and lungs being fcartuy scorched. As
soon as they recovered from the first shock the
PASSENGERS in the two coaches and sleeping cars
who were uniDiurcd, did all they could to res
cue the sufferers This humane work was SUI
perintended by Mr. B. K. Hawcy, Of Normal,
who was the first to mount the smoking car
and begin the rescue With him was Texan
named Magee who worked nobly. They lifted
out the sufferers in the rear Of the car and then
placed a plank on which those in the elevated
end we're slid down All we're handled as
gently as possible and laid tenderly on the grass
While this was beiug done others lighted lire
taking for fuel the broken tender and the light
shone terribly on the sufferers who were moan
ing in their agony. The sleeping cars were
emptied of their passengers and one by one the
wounded were placed in the berths and received
such attention as could be given them. In
the absccne of medical attendance 1t was hard
TO know what to do Upon the arrival of sur
gcal assistance from Lemont, bandages were
called for and one noble woman, Mrs. McCord,
of Bloomington, tore her undersklrt into
strips until it was exhausted. Then sheets were
torn and opiates and anacshotics administered
to give tenn porary relief. The cause Of the &C
cident was the inexcusablc fool-hardincss
of the conductor of the freight tarin in leaving
Lemont when he knew that it was matter OF life
or death, that it was mere chance if be could
reach the switch in time, that it was his
duty 10 remain there until the passenger train,
which had the right of way, was safely by and
that any way he had no right to run any risk
or take and chances. The station agent at
Lemout entreated him not to leave, and so
uneasy was he when the train did leave that
he listened until he heard the conclusion and
then he went to work to secure the necessary
aid