New-York tribune., 1877-01-02
TIE ASHTABULA DISASTER.
REMOVING THE WRECK.


CLEARING AWAY THE BROKEN BRIDGE AND CARS
No MORE BODIES FoUND-REPORTs THAT LIFE
WAS wASToNLYo OR CARELEssLY s,CRIFICED-rHE
BODY or DIR. wAsHBURS NOT IDENTIFIED
(BY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUsE.l
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Jan. 1.-The workmen at Ash
tabula labored all day, mainly in cuttng.up and
dragging out the wreck of the bridge, only few
working at the debris of the cars. No additional
bodies found, but large basket full of feet,
hands, arms, and other fragments of flesh and some
clothing were ished out, but nothing that any one
could identify.
The bridge was crossed by a double track the
wrecked train was coming on the left hand, or
southern track. That side Of the bridge gave way
| first and the train in falling thrown some 30
feet to the left of direct line between the abut-
ments. The bridge fell directly downward, and
crushed through the ice to the bottom of the river 1t
would therefore form dam which would stop the
bodies washed down stroam under the ice. 1t is a
current theory at Ashtabula, where public feeling is
intensely bitter against the managers of the road.
that they anxious to remove the bridge first so
80 to permit any human remains now lodged
against it to be washed away, and thus obliterate
evidence upon which claims can be based for dam
ages by the friends of the lost.
Another fact that is strongly commented upon is
that immediately after the accident train dis
patcher in this city tecgraphed not to permit water
to be thrown on the burning cars. The dispatcher
admits sending the dispatch but says that it was
through fear that the wounded might be drowned
by too liberal of water. Aear the
west pier stands engine-house with
steam pumps for forcing water up
into the tank Oh the hill. 1t had plenty of hose that
could have been instantly attached, and a powerful
stream Of water could thus have been thrown upon
the burning wreck. In this way it is claimed that
most of the wounded who were burned to death
might have been saved, and the friends
of the lost maddened by their failure
to find anything but the ashes of
their friends, charge that il the deliberate pur-
pose of the company to let the fire do its work as
completely as possible Until the cOTOneTs jury,
now in session, has rigdy examined all the facts,
judgment on these points may fairly be suspended.
la all IL bodies have been brought TO Cleveland
and prepared by the undcrakers for burial.
Their names have been already given III press re-
ports There Is body yet at Ashtabula which has
not thus lar been identified 1t Is of man weigh
ing about 200 pounds, with light complexion and
auburn hair dressed in of dan CLOTH trOwsers of
dark cashmere with "A small ndistlnct check un-
dershirt and drawers OF gray a-wool merino,
home Knit wooden socks. fine checked legging5,
buttoned closely over the drawers and reaching 10
above the knee, scWed shoes Ol callSkln WIN
morocco uppcIs and draD scarf of knitted wool.
The buttons under the clothing are all OF brass,
stamped Excelsior" Deceased hal in his pocket
black rubber pocket comb. 1t s hoped that by this
description the remains may b. identified.
The report tina. the body of Dr.. Nasiburn. rector
of Grace Church OF Cleveland had been found was
premature A leg was found with II boot supposed
TO be his he leg was clothed with two pairs OF
drawera and pieces of this clothing were brought
here and shown TO Mrs. Washburn, who lmmedi-
atsly pronounced them not those OF her hus-
baHd. 1t is not now expected that any
trace of the dead clergyman viii ever be
found
Friends of the lost are pouring into Ashtabua
from all quarters, and their excitement and suspense
add a new element of tragic interest to that
long drawn out chapter of horror. Strong
men. frail, trembling women, and even
children, have 1lockcd to the scene
from East and West and stand about weeping,
moaning and in some eases fanting with horror as
they look down into the abyss into which the train
with their friends Oh board plunged Oh that fearful
night.
Mrs. Mary Frame of Rochester n. Y, died at Z
this morning al tie American House, Ashtabula.