The Worthington advance., 1879-01-09

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HYPEK"ORE.N REG1oS.
Buffalo Express.
We have received communication signed
by parties who were passengers on Centra
train which was snow. bound at Gainesville,
stating that there was considerable distress
among the passengers. and that much indig-
nation was expressed, under the belief that
| the company did not take all the steps pos
sible for their relief that might have been
AIKEN. We present some portions of the
rather lengthy statement in question:
Train No. s, or the St. Louis express, on
the New York Central railroad, which left
Batavia at 7:l0p. NJ. of Monday last, consist
ing of one palace and three ordinary pas
senger coaches, was run to Gainesville,
whero is located q small station house,
and near BY two beer shops and three little
houses. all said to be within ten miles
of Buffalo. The station was in
charge of an intelligent 1rishman, perfect
gentleman. The two beershops were open
to the passengers, and did what little they
could to supply them with such things as
they could sell, and the shanties in the i'm
mediate neighborhood were kept closed.
The village of Lancaster, and tue New York,
Lake Erie. and Western railroad, formerly
the Erie railway, were less than mile to the
south OF us. The sound of its whistles were
frequently heard, and the passengers were
being carried to Christmas cheer through the
same storm. The better class of passengers
were ticketed for short distances to spend a
merry Christmas with nearby friends. The
poorer class, the class who were in the major
ity, were mostly going long distances enough
to pay for lunch-basket of provisions on
the way. An unusual number of ladies were
travelling without male escorts, many of
thern mothers with their families of children,
and infants in their arms. The morning
Of the 23d was discouraging in ali
its details. Four carloads of
passengers, no provisions, snow fence high,
wind and snow going sixty miles an hour,
children all hungry and fretful, mothers dis
couraged but patient, and only a few men
willing and strong enough to brave the ele-
ments in search Of food, which must be had.
Milk for the babes was first sought for, but
not to be found near by. In this search
three of the party started for a farmhouse
less than quarter of mile distant. One
OF them sank exhausted in a snow-drift near
the house, and was dragged out by his COM
panions. At this German farmers supply
Of milk was found-good fresh milk, enough
for the children. We had expected the con-
ductor of our train. who must have been &C
quainted with the locality, would initiate a
move towards supply of provisions, but he
Informed us that, ''after he had filled the
water tanks with water and kept US warm
his duty ceased. That he had no men
who could 90 to Lancaster for food, aud
be did not believe any man could be hired
to 90" Five of his passengers Immediately
volunteered to 60, and four men of Grimes
villes were hired to accompany them. After
three hours absence they returned, each
with bag on bis back and snow clad from
head to foot. They received warm greet
ing. A sandwich apiece and cup of coffee
each to the passengers nearly exhausted this
supply, bnt it lasted through the day with
what was obtained from beer saloons The
day passed, Christmas eve came. Yes,
Christmas eve at Gainesville, but it was
hardly mentioned. A dreary night passed
and Christmas morning came. About
O'Clock passenger who had been sleeping
on plank, awoke and wished us all q
CHERRY Christmas" It was an effort
to put q cheerful face upon hideous
circumstances, but could not elicit any
response but one Of real distress. This
days treats we're far worse than that of pre-
ceding ones, the discomfts having been in
creased in many ways. Mothers can sympa-
thize with the mothers who were there; fathers
can sympathizs with those whose anxieties
and sylnpathies made them feel it duty to
he cheerful and to keep others so, and young
and old will extend their heartfelt sympa-
thies to all the disappointed who were there
and to the anxious friends at home. The
storm still continuing in all its severity,
with prospect of excessive cold following
it, the situation became more alarming, AMI
the following was worded and sent to Super
intendent Burrows:
'When can you send us relief? Must
know. Women and children suffering. Out
of provisions.
BISHOP COKE and all passengers.
After this dispatch was sent we soon be-
came aware that something was being done
for our relief, and when it became certainty
the station agent informed us that he had
received dispatch saying: Tell the pas
sengers on No, s to be patient, for we can do
nothing tonight but that che had not told
US, for he thought it would be poor COM
fort,
About P. II. whistle was heard to the
westward, and soon a great bank of snow
was seen coming toward us, and behind this
was the great snow-plow pushed by four
powerful locomotives, and under the charge
of Assistant Superintendent McCool. They
passed on toward Batavia, leaving word that
they would return and take us to Buffalo
as soon az they could turn the
plow. Soon after be left dispntch was re-
ceived from Superintendent Burrows, say
ing: "Power will soon reach you from the
East, ETC., and in less than an hour six loco
motives came from the East with Superin-
tendent Burrows in person, and soon we
were on our way to Buffalo.
A gentleman whose testimony VIC cannot
disregard, and to whom We have shown the
communication of which the foregoing is q
portion, informs US that none of its state
ments are exaggerated; that there was much
distress among the imprisoned passengers;
that the situation was really alarming in
view of the number of women and chill
dren on the train, and that there was
very general indignation, the passengers
believing that assistance might have been
rendered long before it was. Our respected
informant further says: "Great praise is
due to Mr.. Irish, of Chicago, for his exer-
tions, and to many others whose names are
not accurately known. They were untiring
in their efforts. Some brewed the coffee;
others made up and served out the rations;
all behaved with degree of patience and
good humor truly praiseworthy. The Ia
dies, some of them invalids, were non-com
planning aid full Of consideration for one
another"