The Morning herald., 1877-01-01
An Ohio Railroad Train Breaking
Through . Bridge.

Au Ohio Railroad Train BFeaking
Through Bridge.
CLEVELAND, Dec. GA terrible accident
has occurred at Ashtabula. Westward
bound train No. s, on the Lake Shore road,
fell through an iron bridge, a distance of
seventy five feet, to the river below. A
heavy snow storm prevails there. 1t is re-
ported that seven passenger coaches and all
the baggage and express cars were burned.
About one out of every five persons on the
train was killed.
The scene of the accident is few yards
east of the depot. The iron bridge spans
the Ashtabula creek seventy. five feet above
the water. On the hill sides are high banks.
Snow has been falling almost continually
for the past forty. eight hours, and now a
driving storm is raging, making it very
difficult to get news from the wrecked and
burning train.
Train No. S, Conductor Hem, left Erie
for Cleveland one hour late, and neared the
bridge at Ashtabula about 8 o'clock. Very
few particulars can be learned at this hour,
but assurances are given that the citizens
of Ashtabula, with a competent corps of
physicians, are doing everything possible
for the sufferers.
FURTHER ACCOUNTS OF THE CALAMITY.
An Ashtabula despatch says reports are
conflicting as to the number of killed on
the Lake Shore Railroad. Probably from
sixty to one hundred persons .perished.
Very few bodies have been recovered, and
those which have been are burned SO they
they cannot he recognized.
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY PERSONS ON
THE TRAIN.
Adispatch received in this city this morn
ing at the office of the New York Central
Railroad states that there was on board the
train one hundred and forty passengers,
and that sixty of them had been founds
though it is thought more would be found
alive.
sLEEPINa.cAR LIST OF PASSENGERS LOST.
1t is impossible to give the names of those
in the sleeping cars, as Mr.. stager, the con.
ductor, Is missing, and he had the list in his
pocket. The wrecked train was tho one
that left this city at $50 P. M. on Wednes-
day.
THE LATEST PARTICULARS.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Dec. 30.-The follow
ing, from a special despatch to the Cleve-
land Leader, is the very latest from the
wreck at Ashtabula: Seldom was seen
ehastler sight than was revealed with the
coming of this morning. On either side Of
the ravIne frowncd the dark arches where
the treacherous timbers had fallen, while
at their base the great heaps of ruins cov-
cred the hundred men, women and children
who had suddenly been called to death
The charred bodies lay where they had
been placed in tho hurry and confusion of
the night. Piles Of iron lay on the thick
ice or embedded in the shallow water CT
the stream. The fires smouldered great
heaps where many of the helpless victims
had been all consumed, while men went
about in wild excitement seeking some
trace of lost one among the wounded or
dead. The list of saved and wounded
having been already sent, the sad task re-
mains of discovering who may be among
the dead The latter task will be the most
difficult of all until the continued absence
of friend here or there will allow of but
one explanation, that hs was among those
who took the fatal leap.
THE MAIN FACTS.
All the witnesses 90 far agree as to the
main fact OF the accident. 1t was about 3
O'Clock. The train was running at mod
crate rate OF speed, the station being just
this side of the ravine. Suddenly and with
out warning the train plunged IN to the
abyss, the forward locomotive alone getting
across in safety. Almost Instantly lamps
and stoves set fire to the cars and many
who doubtless were only stunned, and who
might OF herwise have been saved, fell vic
Tins to the fury of the flames On the arrival
of The Cleveland train the surgeon of the
road organized corps of assistants and
made II tour of various hotel, where the
wounded were attended to, such help being
given to each as was possible. The people
of Ashtsbula lent willing hands, and all
that skill could do to save life or ease pain
was done.
The train which came from Cleveland for
this purpose was Immediately backed into
position, and long before daylight the per-
sons least wounded were being prepared for
to Cleveland to be sent to
hospitals or their homes. The scene among
the wounded is almost as suggestive of hor-
ror as the wreck in the valley. The two