The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-11-16

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stiffness as complete as death itself, only
to be broken by the most heartrending
shrieks and cries for help from the wound.
among the debris of the wrecked sleeper,
The correspondent was thrown with great
violence against the side of the car. sus.
tanning some cuts and bruises; with three
other gentlemen who were in the smok-
ing compartment, all hurt more or less,
they prepared at once to extricate the less
fortunate victims who were beseeching
aid to save them. distinguishing the kerr
osene lamps with which the cars are H.
Illuminated, we broke the lights of glass
(now overhead, the car being on its side),
and climbed to the outside, drawing them
out one by one, ladies first, until no more
inmates could be found. The seats and
blankets were used for temporary couches,
and spread upon the embankment above,
where the wounded were placed.
The means and cries were heart-break-
ing. "Help! for Gods sake, help!'
"Save my baby do not mind me; save my
baby!' 1.-The car is on fire! help here.
or we shall burn up!" "Take this little
girl; her mother is dead" drag off
these timbers! help me, oh II" broke
upon our ears from every side, but every
helper was cool and collected, and the
work went forward quickly and effectuallv.
The moon shOne with much brilliancy,
illuminating the sad scene as distinctly as
it it were high noon. The baggage was
taken out, and whoever had cOrdials or
restoratives OF any kind produced them,
and everything that could be was done to
alleviate the sufferings of the wounded.
The train men and male passengers from
the other sleepers Joined us presently, and
the more seriously injured, ladies' and
children were placed in berths in the
rear sleeping car. A. few minutes
further search revealed the bodies
of the brakeman and colored porter under
the trucks, dead and terribly crushed.
They had either jumped when the car left
the track, struck the high bank and rolled
back under the wheels, or were thrown
there by the shock. Whatever it was thew
were undoubtedly killed instantly. Their
bodies were finally dug out and convened
to the village of Center Valley.
The sleeper Immediately behind the
one wrecked had partially followed, and,
but for the Miller platform, must have
tclescoped it, which would have added to
the victims four more who we're in the
smoking compartment. This car was also
turned partly over. The first day coach
in advance of the sleepers was thrown
from the track anG dragged quarter of a
mile over the ties, when it struck a tele-
graph pole and the rear end was partially
crushed.
With regard to the cause Of the acct
dent but little can be known positively,
but two the are offered By those ia.
miliar with car construction, which are !:
First, that the axle broke near the Journal,
but was held in place by an attachment
provided for such cases, the loose wheel,
being held by the iournal-box alone,
caught IN the frog" at the switch, passed
by the train, and threw the train into the
rocks; second, that severe Jolt threw
out large coupling-pin and let
down portion of the gearing
of the truck, which threw the
wheel OFT. The former theory, however,
seems best proved by the marks upon the
cross-ties, where the loose wheel passed
over them. That some blame attaches to
the company, or its officers, was very pos
ltlvely expressed by many, but of course
1t is hasty to condemn them upon such
facts as are known. Yet it seems that due
care is or was not exercised, for a section
hand who was standing in the door of his
little shanty near the road two miles back
as the train passed, states that stream of
fire was pouring from the journal of the
car alluded to, and SO firmly convinced
was he that it meant mischief that he got
out his hand car and followed the train. -
| Detroit Free Press.