Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-01

humping over the ties" said the doctor to
one of his friends yesterday afternoon, "snd
that is all remember of the accident"
In an instant of time the passengers real
lied that something awful had happened.
The car danced and bumped over the ties
| for q second, and before the victims appre-
ciate the peril of their position the car had
shot from the track, dragging its human
freight into the fearful abyss.
The plunge was fearfully PERCEPTIONS and
awful to contemplate. In making the first
descent the car plunged downward about
twenty-five feet, turning over in Its descent,
and striking the tracks of the Sioux City
road in lateral position, with the rear end
of the car forward. The rebound from the
track was equally terrific, and, with increased
| momentum, the car bounded over the en-
bankment of the Sioux City road, descend
ing distance of over twenty feet, turning
completely over in the fall and striking top
downwards.
As before stated, the train had been
stopped as soon as possible, which was al
most wholly owing to the wooden bulwark or
guards of the bridge, which successfully re-
pulsed the forward cars of the train which
came in contact with the bulwarks two or
three times after leaving the track.
THE RESCUE.
Upon realizing what had taken place Con-
ductor Howard and the passengers on the
day coaches set about relieving the victims
and ascertaining the extent of the casualty,
averting the possibility Of fire by squelching
the flames wich commenced to make their
appearance in the vicinity of the heater.
The Rev. Mr.. Cowdry managed to e1tri-
cate himself from the wreck, following
which Mrs. Prior and son were rescued, to-
gether with the remainder of the passen-
gers, all of whom were injured, as heretofore
described: Prof. Whitney and DIR. Stewart
being the only ones, who, in all probability
will sustain permanent injuries.
Shortly afrer the accident, a special relief
car was sent to the scene of the disaster, con-
veying thither half dozen surgeons, Super
intendent Prior. two or three sisters of
mercy and several railroad officials.
The scene presented would have enlisted
all the humane and kindlier sympathies.
The wrecked car reclined fifty feet below the
track, and from eighty to ninety feet from
the grade CT the railroad.
The car was perfectly demoralized, being
chaotic and indistinguiShable mass of in
terwoven upholstery, bedding, baggage and
bric-a-b rac, ell of which were grotesquely
tortured out of all semblance to their original
formation.
Standing partially on the bridge, over 1S0
feet from the misshapen mass below, were the
engine, express cars and two day coaches,
about fifty feet from the rear of which could
have been seen the tangled and treacherous
rail, to the untimely breakage of which is
attributed the accident.
A minute inspection OF the rail by
GLOBE reporter demonstrated that it had
broken in close proximity to the switch,
about 12O feet from the bridge, the breakage
having occurred about four feet from the
Joint, and strange to say the bar seemed to
have been broken in two places, each cut be-
ing as precise as if severed by a razor.
EXTENT OF THE INJURIES.
As early as practicable the sufferers were
conveyed to Minneapolis, where they were
put under the charge of Dr.. Kimball, the
company's physician. After careful dag
nosis the injuries were found to be as fol-
lows:
DIR. D. A. Stewart, Winona, painfully
bruised in several parts of the body; several
gashes on the head; severely sprained across
the hips, chest and shoulders.
Prof. H. G. Whitney, left foot terribly
mangled. severe bruises in the back and
about the limbs, and an ugly cash in the
head.
Rev.J. 81. Cowdry, bruised about the body
and several painful gashes in the head.
E. j. Blood, sprained back; injured inter
nslly; several bruises on the head and lower
limbs. Mrs. E. j.. Blood, arm very badly
lacerated and right ear torn; wrist dislocated.
Mrs. Prior, slight Injuries about the head
and body.
TIE young son of Mrs. Prior received a
number of scratches on the hand, and a
slight confusion on the head.
Henry Plat, the porter, sustained cut
o.. the back of the head, and several bruises
about the body. II is feared that he too
sustained internal injuries
Upon arriving al Minneapolis the train
was met by carriages, DR.. Stewart being
Qusrte,ed at the Nicollet house, Prof. Whit
ney being conveyed to the residence of
friend, Rev. Mr.. Cowdry to relatives on
Sixth street, and Mr.. and Mrs. Blood to the
residence OF Mr.. Moore, corner of Haw-
thorns avenue snd Twelfth street
Towards evening yesterday DR.. kimball
smputated g portion of LII. Whitney's foot,
ssvering three toes therefron, and at a late
hour last night he was doing we'll.
DR.. Stewart il waited upon by Dr.. Frank
lin Staples, of Winons, sn old and trusted
friend. BE vas resting comfortably last
midnight, and it Is thought that he will
rapidly recover.
Henry Platt. the colored porter, was bleed
ing slightly st the lungs last night, and it is
feared that his injuries are more serious
than st first supposed. The remainder of
the victims are doing well.
The brother of Dr.. Stewart and the father
of Prof. Whitney have bsen sent for and
will arrive this morning.
INTERVIEW With PRIoE-
Superintendent Prior told GLosE re-
porter yesterday afternoon that new
steel rails had been laid at the place
where the accident took plaoe. last spring,
and that the ties are composed of white oak
wood. Altogether the escape from general
catastrophe Is almost miraculous, and the &C
cident is not attributed to any careiessness
on the part of the company.
Trains on this road were suspended be-
tween ST. Paul and Minneapolis until after
noon. when The track was cleared and
schedule time was resumed.