Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-10-09
TEE GID COLONY X. X. DISASTER.
The Iniesf nisnafchcs


NEW YORK, Oct. A dispatch from Boston
about the terrible railroad accident 10 the Old
Colony railroad yesterday, says: Both en-
giHeS and six cars lett the track and propelled
upon each other by the terrible momentum of
the cars behind were ground into each other.
Overthrown and wrecked. Three We're
graph operator named Mcfarland. and as
soon as the accident happened he cut the wire
and teegraphed TO this city. The news spread
evei !where instantly, and before So'clock a
crowd of 10,UGJ persons were gathered in the
street about the depot. One hundred police
men were quickly summoned and formed a
Gordon around the building 10 prevent the
depot from being filled. Hundreds of those
preSent had friends on board the train and
were frantic in their inquiries for their safety.
Newspaper Offices were thronged all the even
ing With tho-e who brought rumorS or sought
information: The. widest excitement pre-
vailed until the arrival of the wreckng trains,
which were sent out accompanied by the su-
perintendent and other officers of the road,
and by CORPS of surgeons and a large mum
Der OF Stretchers Meantime the chief of po-
lice ordered the city ambuanceS to be got
ready ard improyised many more from eX-
press wagons to convey the wounded TO the
hospitals or to their homes.
What the Engineer Says.
The accident occurred at the Wollaston
gravel pits, where there is sloping of the EN-
bankment of some twenty feet. The con-
ductor had ordered the brakes applied, and
the engineer OF the second engine had applied
pressure of ninety-fye pounds, when ne felt
there was a loose rail or misplaced switch. and
does not attempt TO explain the cause of the
accident his engine pulled the first from
the track and both plunged down the embank-
ment in the wreck. The baggage car, which
Immediately followed, was pushed along the
track and left standing.
Terrible Scene.
The compartment Car struck the corner of
the second tender, and had its entire side torn
cut. In this were boating men and their ladies'
and reporters; and every person on the left
nand SIDE OF the car was either killed or badly
injured. The next car was hurled to the Other
size OF the track and broken In two. The
three following ears plunged down the pluk
aI hIose Seie peG qE9h sca otef In one mass OF
dying and terribly hunt. jammed together in
lneXlrlcable confusion. Those in the cars AZ
theIear experienced slight shock of sudden
STOP, but sat quietly tOr fully ten minutes
before aScertaining that there was any serious
trouble.
Marvellous Escapes.
There were some marvellous escapes. Mr.
George Kelly, a reporter, sat in group OF
five two OF whom were Instantly killed, one
had three ribs broken, and the fourth receiv-
ed severe Injuries, while Kelly came o1ls with
the car. Thomas Mclaughlin had Similar
experience in the fifth. Ole gentleman Jump
ed out the window, and in his fright ran the
entire distance TO Boston.
R0bbing the Dead and Living.
One of the ugly features of the disaster was
that the bodies CT the dead we're robbed by
roughs, Of whom a large number We're on the
train. Medica! Examiner DR.. Morrison was
examining the bodies in the baggage room of
the depot. He found slice in one of the p0ck-
cts of Michael Clifey, who was among the
killed. Clifey'S friends insisted upon the Doe
tors counting the money on the spot, and
While he was performing that duty pick
pocket relieved him OF his gold watch
Sad Scenes.
The scenes around the depot beggared de
scilpllon: Women were struggling for ad1ait
NJ a md 10 Nsaa,t-
ing over the real or ina gfned less OF friends.
The train, which consisted Of twenty two
cars, was heavily laden with passengers, and
friends were crowding into the depot in order
to recognize or learn OF the fate of their loved
ones. The dead were borne out on Stretchers
ana placed in the baggage room of the depot,
hospital which was thronged with people anX-
iouS TO see fand care for their friends. There
were five physicians on the train and about
thirty more in waiting at the depot and the
wrecking train which left the depot at sos y.
m, look bandageS, mattresses and StretcherS.
Cause Of the Accident.
Railroad officials have not returned at this
hour, but are trying II discover the cause OF
the accident. The most trustworthy reports
aIe that the train c0Ilded with freight car
on the side track at what is known as WallaS
ton foundry, and il is remarkable tll;.r SO few
were Killed, as the two ,parlor cars we're
broken into pieces. At The theaterS in the
city bulletins with the latest reports from
scene of the accident were read.
Latest Details.
BOSTON, Oct. 9.-Both tracks at ,ycr9ston OF
Old Colony Railroad were clearedAt half-paSt
| SIX this morning and ar inward bound train
passed the scene of last nights disaster at a
| quarter past six o'clock this morning. Supar.
| intendent kendTick of the Old Colony X Ill.
road, when asked as to where the blame lay,
said that SO far as he had then learned the EN-.
ployCS In charge OF the train from Silver Lake
were not to blame. He was of the opinion
that the fault laid with the conductor of the
freight train. This was all he had to say in
tn q of oil Tn, a6d %t,a
of the dead sent last night the following
deaths are reported: Edward DOheriy, gro.
Ger, of Boston E. <. White, of Boston, instead
OF MIR. White, of South Boston: John OBrien,
Boston, Patrick Lavery, of Boston and COun,
Gilman M. F. Wells, whose body was found
late last night. Mr.. Reagan'S father .u-iaw
night. The dee th list up to noon to-day com
priSeS 19 persons.