Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-01-03
A Ride to Death.

CLEVELAND, OHIO, Dec. 30, 2 A. NJ.
At $50 O'Clock last evening, an iron
bridge over the Ashtabula River on
the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern
Railroad gave way under the Pacific
Express, train which consisted Ut
eleven cars drawn by two engines
The forward engine bad just cleared
the bridge when it fell, and by TIE
breaking of a coupling pin, was left on
the track. The rest Of the train fell a
distance of seventy five feet into the
water below. Six OF the eleven cars
were passenger coaches. There were
on board l7o persons. OF these it is
believed 100 were killed. Tie crash
Of the falling bridge and train was
heard at the distance Of mile from
the scene, and was immediately fol
lowed by a brilliant illumination of the
sky, caused by the burning cars, which
took fire almost instantly. Crowds OF
people were soon on the ground ren-
derIng what assistance was in their
power, which was little enough. About
fifty were picked up from the wreck
aud taken to neighboring houses. OF
these several have already died. A
relief train was sent from this place at
1880, having on board ten physicians
a number of assistants.
The weather was extremely cold and
a binding storm Of snow prevailed.
1t seems that The falling train and
bridge smashed the ice in the creek
aud those not killed by the storm or
burned up by the burning cars, were
held down by the wreck and drowned
before they could beextricated. Many
too will be or have been frozen. All
the citizens of AshtabuIa were at the
wreck and as many as can are working
to rescue those not already claimed by
death, while hundreds of strong arms
and steady brains stood ready to relieve
tho who became exhausted with the
toll
The wreck continued to burn until
mo ming, and owing to the great depth
it was impossible torsach the suffering.
| The scene was of the most terrible
description. n special relief train ar
rived from Cleveland during the night
and the dead and wounded we're re
moved and cared for as we'll as circum-
stances would permit.
The most heart-rending incidents are
told. Several persons firmly wedged
between heavy timbers, yet not NOR
tally hurt, were burned to death before
the eyes Of helpless bystanders. A
man, woman and a c. lid are now
known to have died this way. The man
was roasted for full half an hour, utter
ing the most pitiful cries for aid,
before death came to his relief One
Of the most remarkable escapes re-
corded is that of gentleman, one Of a
party of four playing whist in a double
seat. Two Of his companions were
crushed and the third mortally hurt,
but he escaped uninjured
LA CROSSE BANK EMBEzzLEMENT
CAsE.-MADIsoN, Wis December 20
In the celebrated La Goose Bank
case against George M. Wheeler, its
President, for embezzlement) which
has been on trial in the United States
District Court for some time past, the
case was given to the jury last night,
the jury rendering verdict of guilty.
The sentence cannot be less than five
years in the Pennitentiary. Mr..
Wheeler's attorneys have moved for
new trial, which will be heard next
week. There is much sympathy here
for Mr.. Wheeler.
THE sensational case concerning
Mrs. Hoppin and Mr.. Hart at JAMES,
vile was discussed in the Congrega-
tional prayer meeting Thurtday night.
The committee had requested the
parties to make full confession. Mrs.
Rebecca Hoppin, who is young and
handsome widow, handed in Ter con-
fession, which was read by the clerk.
She asked for forgiveness. Hart, who
is al insurance agent, made COMES
sion also, but which did not meet the
requirements of the committee. Hart
asked to be forgiven, was sorry he had
done wrong, but could not comply with
the resolution without duplicating
others. This created profound sem
sation among the other deacons, and IA
heated discussion ensued. During the
discussion Mr.. Hart said he had prom
ised his wife he would leave the church
that night, either forgiven man or
leave it forever, he and all his family.
Finally the confessions were accepted
and the parties forgiven. The talk
has only increased, and many say more
gossip and scandal will be brought out
yet. |