The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-24
Marvellous Escape Of
the Engineer.
HURRYING TO THE RESCUE
Probably Twelve Passengers Drowned
In the Wreck.
PARTIAL LIST OF THE SURVIVORS.


Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad about
twenty miles from Charlotte, caused by the
falling OF q trestle bridge that spanned Fishing
Creek while the noon train from Columbia for
Charlotte was running over =, and that all the pas
sengefs had persisted.
This shocking intelligence filled the citizens OF
Columbia with horror and excitement as many OF
the passengers by the il-la.ed train were well
known in this city.
HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
The following Is the only reliable information
received as to the cause OF the accident up to
the prcsent:-The northward bound passenger
train on the Charlotte, Columbia und
Augusta Railroad left Columbia on time
at twelve O'Clock to-day for Charlotte
TIE train was made up OF an express and bag
gage car and two passenger coaches, the latter
containing over one hundred passengers.
The tram In charge OF Conductor william Kline
some time alter i've O'Clock P. NJ, and ran on the
bridge, which was about one hundred feet in
length
Suddenly an awful crash was heard, and the
whole structure fell to pieces under the weight OF
the train precipitating all the cars into the deep
and muddy current below.
MARVELLOUS ESCAPE
The locomotive In charge OF Fettner had Just
reached the opposite bank when the bridge went
down, and would have been dragged back by
tanately broke on and lett the engine standing on
the very brink OF the abyss
Fettner could scarcely realize for moment two
the terrible character OF the accident but quickly
recovering his presence OF mind he saw that un-
less help was speedily brought to the scee Of lh1
disaster the possible survivors would soon perish
Running his locomotive At full speed to Rock.
hill, Jour miles from Fishing Greek, ne autographed
to the chief railroad Office the dreadful news.
HURRYINo TO ThE RESCUE.
No sooner was the message received than
preparations were made BY the railroad ON.
cials to hurry to the rescue OF the uniortunts
victims OF this almost unparalleled calamity, and II
possible to save any that might have survived It.
special train having on board the President OF
the railroad and other snicials, as well as corps
OF workmen, hurried at the highest attainable
speed toward the scene OF the accident
Meanwhile the news had spread in Columbia,
and crowds OF excited people rushed to the rail.
road once to learn the particulars.
TIE PASSENGERS.
Among the passengers were q number OF the
stockholders and officers OF the railroad, who
had been In Columbia for several days with
their families in attendance on the annual meeting
OF the stockholders and directors Of the road.
These, with large number OF others, bound
to different points along the line, were in
the two cars that went down with the
wrecked bridge. brother Of the conductor (KlineJ
is the superintendent.
ARRIVAL OF THE RESCUE TRAIN.
second despatch from the scene OF the disaster
received here from the railroad officials
states that the baggage, mall and express
agents we're safe and that the conductor and
others could be heard in the darkness from differ
ent points in the stream, where they were clinging
to trees for support and shouting for assistance.
Every effort was being made by the rescue party
tion but the violence Of the current and the dark
ness interered with the operations.
SENDING FOR A BOAT.
The locomotive, which had returned In the mean
time, was despatched to the Catawba River, nine
miles distant for boat, and it was hoped that all
the survivors would be rescued
But It was feared by many that such as were In
jured by the tremendouS fall could not hold on to
the trees on account OF exhaustion and the bitter
cold.
Meagre accounts continued 20 reach Columbia in
the meantime, which by their exaggerated details
raised the excitement and anxiety to the highest
pitch.
WISHING CREEK BRIDGE.
The creek where the accident occurred IL ordi.
nnrily an Insignificant stream, but, owing to the
heavy rains which have prevailed in this section
for over week, Is now swollen to q torrent
Its depth at the scene OF the disaster In now at
least twenty feet The trestle was only about one
hundred feet long and stood about TWENTY-FIVE feet
above the water level.
TIKI CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.
The cause OF the accident IL conceded TO DO the
undermining Of the piers BY the action OF the unu-
suai current brought to bear on them
They were undercut TO such an extent that the
jar Of the moving train being suddenly trans
rerred TO these supports caused them to sink. and
the weight completed the ruin OF the whole bridge.
HOPES AND YEARS
The names OF many-indeed, nearly all OF
those who had embarked In the III.
lated train-were known Some Of them
were prominent citizens Of this and the
nei9hbor1nQ state and hope and fear alternatsd ~