The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-01-04
THE AsHTABULA ACCIDENT.
Body Identified.


special OF last night from Ashtsbula say:
that the body OF Benjamin L Russell,
of Auburn, n. Y, was identified
AS HTABULA. January By finding
Of papers and scraps OF clothing among
the debris to-day the following named
persons were known 10 have been o. the
wrecked train: Miss Charlotte N. Smith,
Rondout, n. Y; Mi,s NJ. A. Smith, Ron
dout, n. T.; j. II. Smith. Ontario, Can
ada. There was also identified among
the bodies at the freight house Mrs.
Eliza Hopper, CT Chippewa, On
tario. The only relics found to-day
besides those named were some pocket
knives. 1t is probable that tomorrow
will finish the clearing away of the wreck
and the search for the missing. The list
now stands as follows: Number of pas
sengers on board l2s, employees 19, total
LAT. Rescued passengers SO, employees
9, total ~. Died since, passengers 3,
employees |, total L. Names known,
rescued ", lost 20. unsccounted Tor >,
total LAT.
Mr.. VIM. III. Kinkead, with Bates,
Reed 4 Coley, No. 45l Broadway, n.
T., who sns been published rs lost IN the
wreck on Friday night, desires to
have 1t known that he got of the train
ut Erie, and is alive.
The Coroner's Inquest.
AsHTABULA, January 3.-Ths inquest
commenced this morning at 10 o'clock
The frat witness was e. A. Knapp, chief
engineer of the fire department There
was one engine on the spot when | AZ
rived, about $50; this engine, the Pro-
lection, had large amount Of hose;
when / arrived at the fire | asked Mr..
Strong, the station agent Tor the Erie
Company, which side should throw
water IRON; Mr.. Strong said he didn't
want any water, that he wanted help 10
get tbe,people out; knew OF pipe at the
pump house which the hose might lit;
the engineer was there and steam up;
witness didn't order water to be thrown
because he was ordered not to; was in
command o. the fire department; wreck
was burning considerably when he ar
rived; saw the last person taken out
alive half IN hour alter his arrival;
thinks bodies could have been saved so
that they n light have been recognized
by friends could he have sent two
streams into the fire; ali he saw doLe
towards putting out tho fire Was calling
for buckets; thinks there were persons
enough resent TO put out the fire; have
no other reason tRsn ated tor n Ut throw
ing water on the fire; no one took
any effort to hinder witness from throw
ing water; there were no iutlmatons
that he should not throw water in order
that the bodies might not be recognized;
ne had q perfect right to throw water
notwithstanding what Mr.. Strong said /;
simply thought if they didn't want water
thrown he didn't want TO throw any;
ne heard groans from the wreck and
knew he had right to throw water, but
mad no reason for not throwing except
that Mr.. Strong told him no. to; his
excitement was very grest but be knew
what he ought TO do; should have thrown
water if he had not been prevented by
the Statement OF Mr.. Strong.
The Raat Witness was A. A. Strong,
agent. He heard of the accident immc-
dlateIy on its occurrence, and FASTENED
to the bridge. He devoted himself prln-
cipaliy 10 caring for The wounded, sGd
ordered that road be broken through
the snow to the top OF the hill that the
irjured might be carried up. At the
time of his arrival at the scene the fire
was in progress the whole length Of the
wreck. The appliances OF the company
for putting out fires at the time Of tho
accident were three hydrants and
no hose; received no orders from the
except to do all IN lis power to
rescue the wounded and get them to
places OF safety; received no Instructions
from any source not to put water
on The fire. and don't know of
anv such orders being received by
anyone; no objectoQ Was made 10 his
knr edge OF the use ofthe appliances nj
the depot for puttlL z out fire; cant say
WHY rue hose was not attached for the
purpv.e Of throwing wafer; there were
no orders given by the officials OF the fire
company; when Mr.. knspp was seen by
witness, the effect of throwing water on
the fire would have been undoubtedly
10 pre.erve some of the bodies
50 the, could have been reC"sn lzed.
lie did not believe any lives could have
been saved a. there were o shrIeks
heard when be arrived. !.s made no
etiortto control the action Of the tre
department in regard to the wreck.