New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-08-19
DISASTER.
Further Particulars of the Terrible Disas.
on the Chicago and Alton Railroad.

u tHS DisuDs
on the Chicago and Alton Railroad.
New YORK, August l8.-Additional ac-
counts Of the railroad accident on the
Chicago and Alton road. state that the
train started from Willow station, accord
ing to the best evidence, ten minutes be-
hind time, and as it is customary on this
road to make up for lost time. undoubtedly
the raie of speed was somewhat accele-
rated.
The conductor and engineer knew they
were 70 pass the coal train at Lemont. seven
miles distant; but unhappily that train did
not wait as it should have done, but came
on toward the passenger train, expecting to
make Willow station.
1t was a race for life The conductor
and engineer of The coal train knew that
passenger train laden with precious lives
was in front. and if they did not reach the
switch by certain time. collision was
inevitable.
Both trains were rushing toward their
destination. Ashley flew over the iron rail
through the darkness, their speed increas.
ing at every revolution of the wheels.
There were three cOncussiOns: the first
when the engines met and were destroyed
the second when the baggage cars struck
and were smashed into fragments, and the
third when the smoking car cOllided and
leaped into the air, alighting on the frac-
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 the top of
the boiler. The forepart of this car was
burst open oy the force with which it
struck, the hind wheels remaining on the
track.
The passengers were imprisoned in the
broken iron and wood, while the deadly
steam came up with terrific force from the
boiler below. scalding those whom it
touched, instantly peeling off the skin and
causing the most excruciating agony. one
moment Of which was sufficient to cause
death. Many were there several minutes
before being extricated.
CHICAGO, August Isl. II. Smith and J.
w. Fleury, victims of the Chicago and
Alton railroad disaster, died this morning.
Coroner Stephens has commenced an in
quest on the bodies of the persons killed at
the Lemont disaster. The agent at that
point testified that he protested strongly
against the freight train pushing forward,
and notified the train dispatcher at Bloom
ingtOn that slaughter was impending.
The number of deaths from the accident has
reached eighteen.
The managers of the road have caused
the arrest Of John Puffenberger, the freight
engineer, and officers have been sent to JO-
liet for Edward Bean, the freight con.
ductor.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill, August 1S.-A great
deal of Indignation is expressed here con-
cerning the action of the Chicago and Alton
railroad officers. The collision occurred at
twenty minutes past ten O'Clock, and the
fact was telegraphed to the superintendent
within an hour, but not word was sent to
the friends Of the wounded, and the news
of the accident studiously kept from the
press until it could NO longer be reserved
The passengers who were ON the ill-fated
train and who came down last night from
Chicago state that till the arrival of the re-
lieftrain in charge of Superintendent Nc