Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-05-09
No HOPE FOR STOKES.
WESTERN NEWS.
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.-FALLING OF a BRIDGE
-THIRTY-TWO PERSONS KILLED.

TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.-FALLING OF a BRIDGE
-THIRTY-Two PERSONS KILLED.
Dixon, HIS, NAV THE iron bridge at
this place fell with a terrible crash this
afternoon, while crowded with people to
witness the baptism. Thirty-two bodies
have been recovered, and many more are
supposed TO be under the wreck.
SECOND DEsPArCH.-A terrible accident,
involving a fearful loss Of life, occurred here
this p. IN. The rite of baptism was being
administered to a number Of recent converts
to one Of the Baptist churches here, at
point in Rock river, just below Truesdell
iron bridge. About 200 persons, including
many ladies and a number of children, had
gathered on the bridge to witness
the ceremony. Suddenly, without
warning, the bridge gave way
and prccipitated its living freight
into the stream below. The scene which
ensued. was indescribably terrible As the
struggling victims vainly enieayored to free
themselves from the ruins of the bridge and
from each other, large crowds Of people on
the banks rushed wildly to and fro. many
Of them 50 distracted with terror as TO be
unable to render any assistance Others,
more self-pOSseSsed, speedily brought ropes,
planks and boats and went nObly 10 work 70
rescue the living and secure the dead. Some
Of those who were on the bridge when
il fell were 50 near the edge that they
were able to reach land without assistance,
while others We're fortunately in reach Of
those on shore. but up TO six p. m. thirty
two dead bodies had been taken from the
river, and it Is almost certain Others are
still under the wreck. OF those'saved, "a
were more or less injured, some fatally
TIE DIXON BRIDGE DISASTER.
CNcINNArI. o., May 5.-Despatehes from
Dixon, H.. say the bridge, 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 the greatest, bodies were held firmly to
the bottom of the river in 4 network Of iron.
Mrs. Daniel Cheney, who It was feared was
fatally injured, j. now better.
There were several buggieS on the bridge,
hut strange to say no one IN the vehicles
was injured, and the horses also escaped.
William ;. lIillOck : horse and wagon are
still on the bridge, and food for the horse
has to be carried to it. Jacob Armstrong,
Jr.. went down in the crash and was COM
PEELED to crawl on the bottom of the river
ont from under the sidewalk Of the bridge,
but being an athletic young man, saved
himself and helped rescue several. There
were several bodies taken out Of the river as
far down as below the railroad bridge.
The body of Fred Hope was found floating
nearly mile down the river, this morning.
All those reported missing are probably IN
the network of the bridge at the bottom Of
the river.
After the nights work, derrick was
erected and it Is hoped the iron will be lift
ed so that the bodies will be released and
recovered. 1t is feared the extent of the
calamity is not yet learned, for there may
have been many on the bridge from the
country whose names have not been obtain
ed.