The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-11-19
Particulars ofthe Accident on the Haiti.
more a Ohio Railroad.

Il BALTIMORE, Md, NOVemDer la tnTlIl-
ing accident occurred to thesst. Louis ex-
press train, which left here at S:l5 4. 81.
on Saturday, near Patterson Greek, eight
miles east Of Cumberland. About three
O'Clock this morning the, Pullman palace
Sleeper. .containinstfirtyafiSa passengers,
including number OF ladies and children,
took fire from an explosion fan oil lamp,
and was consumed, with all the personal
effects OF the passengers, who made an al-
most miraculous escape from being burned
alive. The train was composed of two
oyster cars, the Pullman sleeper for st.
Louis, the Pittsburgh sleeper Immediately
following, and several coaches. Every
berth in the sleeper was occupied, the pas
sengers including VIM. Renshaw aud $. p.
Thompson, yof Baltimore, who, were en-
route to ST. Louis. Michael Brannon oc-
eupied aberth in the Pittsburgh sleeper
following. = :
Mr.. Rensnaw returned to Baltimore this
evening ut late hour and registered at
Barnums, He describes the scene on the
burning ears as the most exciting he ever
witnessed. The train was running ut the
rate Of % miles an hour, and nearly all the
passengersi were asl6apJ when he was
aroused blythe voice OF a woman apparent
ly crying, preceding from one Of the
6erths. Mr.. Rcnsliaw, who was occupying
berth No. q, near the middle Of the cur, ut
once leaped out, and was terribly startled
ut discovering the curtain over one OF the
forward bcrths in blaze, and volumes OF
smoke were being carried through the car
by the current oil air that swept throtgiI
the ventilarors. In fow moments Il scene
OF tho most intense excitement prevailed.
Neither the conductor nor porter of the |
Pullman sleeper were on the train. Mr.. |
Renshaw thinlisif they had been at their |
posts the fire might have beGR checked.
The flames swept quickly from curtain to |
curtain, and the woodwork ignited and be-
gan burning briskly. Alr. Renshaw seized
the bell-rope promptly and. pulled it sew
eral times, andin a few fIlinutes-which,
however, seemed an agc to the terror
stricken passengcrs-the train was brought |
to II stand-still.
In tho meantime the cracking flames |
leapel from berth to berth, and the dense |
smoke had iafousctl. every passenger; and (
they rushed fruntically from the bcrths,
clad only in their night.lresses. The ladies'
and children were almost paralyzed with
terror; and their screams Tor help added
to the horror OF the scene. The ladies'
were all in their stocking feet, and SO
swiftly did the flames spread that they
were prevented from saving a single arti-
Gle Of wearing apparel, and. when the train
was stopped they rushed into the Pitts
burgh sleeper that was following. Captain
Taylor, the conductor OF the train, acted
with great presence OF mind i'll promptly
cutting off the forward cars, and also the
Pittsburgh sleeper, by which time tho st.
Louis sleeper was wrapped in flames from
end TO end. 1t WINS not deemed possible to
cxtinguish the fire, and the car continued
to burn until every part OF it was con-
sumcd, with the contents.
Many exciting incidents occurred. One
OF tho ladies, in her terror attempted to
leap from the train, but was prevented.
An unknown man, supposed TO have been
in getting from the upper
berth fell to the floor, aud complained OF n
fractured rib. None OF the passengers
saved a single article, except thescanty ap-
parcl they had on their backs. Mr.. Rem
shaw lost -his -valise,- containing money,
watch and other valuables. Nr. Thomp-
son also4l gold watch and money:
Among the passengers WIS Mr. Shep::
herd, OF New Orleans, with his wife and
seven children, who, with u number OF
other refugees, were returning to their
homes. Their aggregate losses are heavy.
After getting the rescued passengers into
the Pittsburgh sleeper, ever effort was
made By Conductor. Taylor to make them
No clothing could, however,
OF course he procured, and the ladies cs-
pccially suffered severely from exposure,
fright and cold. The male adult passen-
gers, equally slimly clad, and shoclcss Also
suffered considerable. In transferring
them 10 the Pittsburgh sleeper from the
burned Pullman car they were compelled
to tramp through the mud in the midst OF
II rain storm. The procession is spoken OF
,ls decidedly unique, the costumes oi both
males and females being OF the scantiest
possible. They wereall prompt
lv forwarded TO Cumberland, where they
obtained supplies Of clothing from their
baggage in the baggage car, and nearly all
their journey. The train was
delayed about three hours.
Soon after daybrcak the truck was clear.
cd and search made by Mr.. French,
OF the Central Division,
for yaluables, Among the debris OF the
wreck n pair OF valuable gold bracelets
several gold watches half melted, and
other iewelry was found. Tho burned car
cost Si5, 900. This loss falls heavily on the
Pullman, Company, while tits presumed
the baltimore and Ohio Company will
make good tho losses OF the passengers.
The origin OF the explosion is ehveloped
in mystery. Tho lamp-a glass one OF the
usual pattern--was> filledlwitli a mixture
of coil and lard oil, presumably a'danger-
GUS compound, judging from the manner
OF the explosion. = - ~