Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1879-11-03
WILMINGTON, DEL, MONDAY, NOVEMBER g. 1879.

cupants saw the danger they signalled
but II was OF no avail. After the crash
the men on No. 0 went to the aid of the
groaning victims but finding 1t impos-
sible to relieve them all from the wreck
left two men and hastened with full
speed towards the depot for assistance.
ASSISTANCE ARRIVES.
About a half hour after the engine
had gone for assistance, there came a
passenger car with beds and other
articles such as would be rendered
necessary by the peculiar exigencies
of such disaster. Work was at once
begun in clearing away the wreck.
After much trouble the lacsrated bodies
of the men we're taken from the demol-
ished engine. The men were all alive.
The engineer Mr.. Gallagher, was firmly
imbedded among.ths machinery, being
was literally nailed to the engine by
the Gordon which had been driven
through his leg. Harry Meredith and
Edward Sasse the two firemen were
taken out, the former groaning with
untold agony, while the latter was
80 numbed that he felt but little pain.
The men were placed in the car. Ed
ward Reed and William Shipley who
were also seriously injured by their fall
TO the ground had been taken home in
tue shiftsr. In extricating the bodies cor
siderable time was spent, and it was
ten minutes of twelve o'clock before the
mangled forms Of the dying and injured
were brought to the depot. Here they
were taken carefully out and
PLACED IN THE DEAD ROOM
where provisions had been made for
their reception. This room is set apart
Especially by the company for engi,
neers and others in their employ, and
where all, anyways connected with
any of the departments, are taken
when injured. Physicians had been
summoned in the meantime. When
the exact state of the mems injuries be-
came known, their relatives were all
sent for.
AFFECTING SCENES.
The father, mother and five brothers
of Edward Sasse arrived first. Edward
was then fast dying. He recognized
them however, and endeavorod to speak
but his contracted jaws growing more
rigid as the end approached, would not
permit hin to utter but inaudibly. His
ineligible last words spoken by a
force Of will, were: spray for me
motherl Goodbye! !"
Gallagher who was injured the most,
asked for Father Rsilley. The priest
came and endeavored to administer
spiritual consolation. The scene at
this instant was an affecting one.-
Sasse, surrounded by his weeping rela'
tivss, was breathing his last. hered-
ith, with frame distorted with agony,
lay groaning while his broken hearted
mother, kneeling by his side, endeavor-
ed to ease his dying moments. Gal
lagher was calm, convulsivsly clutch
ing crucifx, he lay with his eyes firm.
ly fixed upon the face of the fgme
while the relieved expression Of his
oountenance told plainly that he was
engaged in mental communion.
At five minutes past one o'clock John
Gallagher expired communing to the
last. His last words to his relatives,
Frank Gallagher and Patrick Fitzger-
aid, were: "Take me home" Edward
sasse expired nine minutes after Mr..
Gallagher.
Meredith fingered Oh. Hs was at
tended by the physicians who began to
consider the advisability Of amputating
his MANNED limbs. His mother still
stood by his side. A short time before
he expired he complained Of pain and
said, "Mother, put mustard plaster
on me; you know how to do it," Mrs.
Meredith did so. About twenty min
utes past six o'clock he turned to his
msther and said, "Mother, must die,
good byel" and then breathed his
last.
The bodies were then covered up and
taken in charge by the coroner.
THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.
By seven O'Clock Sunday morning the
fact of the collision and its sad result
was generally known, and by eight
O'Clock crowds we're vending their way
tow ards the scene of the disaster. The
freight train and broken engine had
been removed in the night, and with
the exception of a few remaining traces,
there was nothing to indicate to the
casual observer that the spot had been
the scene Of the sad occurrence that had
transpired a few hours before. The
ground where the collision took place
was covered with slivers Of wood, guam
titles of bituminous coal and broken
glass. The spot further down the track
where the engine stood still after the
rebound was saturated with oil and
water. Here and there we're seen great
pools of blood, while from around the
track small pieces Of clothing and
severed suspsnder were gathered.
By the side Of the flag station which
is attended by Mr.. David Wingate, the
debris of the wreck was thrown among
them and there could be seenthe effect
of the collision. Great pieces OF iron,so
wrenched bore the appearance as II
having been torn flom their fAstenings
by force irresistible, while great bolts
inch and half in diameter,
snapped and particled, lay strewn III
every direction. Much OF the timber,
broken and splintered, was sprinkled
with the blood OF the victims.
THB INQUEST.
Nine o'clock was the hour announced
by the Coroner for holding the inquest
upon the unfortunate men. The plaS-
fnrma in front and around the depot