Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-07-26

he gates and the people rushed through;
begged them to keep back, as the wharf
IVES not the best ; soon after heard the
rash !; ran back, and saw
oumber OF people in the water pulled
off his clothes and went into the water
aud rescued 10 CT IL persons also re-
powered three dead bodies; did not con-
slider the wharf secure with such a crowd;
there were about 700 persons on the
wharf when it fell, and fully 30D were in
the water; had seen larger crowds on the
wharf, the flooring had been repaired
this SEASON: the break occurred between
tue two gates, and not where the boat
lands examined the place where the |
break occurred and found the timbers |
pretty rotten !; there were ak to eight |
lights on the wharf, aud they burned |
brightly remember only one pile stand
ing when the wharf broke.
The Rev. W. E. Starr testified that he
was on the pier head before the accident
and sent messenger to have the gates
closed |; the moon was shining brightly
and the lamps gave good light he did
not think that more than $50 people
could stand where the break occurred
hnu q tuii NieW VI tub dCtlubht WIG Hitt
was mass OF patching from one end to
the other.
John Conner, q special officer at Tivoli,
warned those on the pier that If they did
not 60 back there would be rush when
the boat came, and many of them would
90 overheard called on the committee tor
assistance to keep the gate closed, hut
did not get it !; WAS at the gate when the
crash occurred; opened the gate at that
Iime; thought there were about l50 to
200 on the pier when the break took
place; had Seen larger crowds on the
wharf, but they were more easily con-
trolled.
James Gosnell, an excursionist,
exhibited to the jury piece taken from
one of the bridge joists; it was entirely
rotten; did not at any time hear the
people warned to keep back the man
who was at the inner gate left az soon as
he opened it the wharf was badly
| lighted did not hear any cracking Of
| timber, hut heard splash in the water
| and the cry ont there was no rush nor
large crowd the people moved leisurely
toward the b at; witness remained at
Tivoli all night.
| Frank Debiliua, proprietor of Tivoli,
thought the wharf in good condition /; it
was thoroughly overhauled last year /;
on Sunday last there were ], 200 people
on 1t at one time.
| THE VERDICT.
The following ia the verdict eve
find that Louisa Swearer and others
came to their deaths by drowning by the
breaking Of the bridge at Tivoli on the
night of July 23d, and that the authori
ties OF the place did not use proper care
and preoaution to prevent the occur
renee"
HERMAN wALTER's STORY.
One OF the bravest heroes OF the disaster
was Herman Walters. He saved Il
grown persons and three children. TIL,
story of his efforts is thrillingly interest
ing. He says: When the bridge fell
WAS 35 feet away from the place of tn,
accident. The shouts of the unfortunst,
men and women, as they sank in the
water, struck terror to every breast. TIL,
crowd on the portion of the bridge ye
unh armed rushed to the shore. pushet
forward 10 the edge. "For heavens SAX,
save mel' cried young lady dressed ii
brown. "Here, sit on my body while
lean over and pull this young lady,"
said to a young man standing ner.
then laid down. The man sat on my legs
and | leaned over, grabbed the lady ant
had her nearly on the bridge when tn
man jumped up. | lost my balance AM
both the youog lady and myself fel
heavily together to the bottom. The lad
) at once chung tranticslly around my nscl
and rendered me helpless. tried to &c
; away but could not. We sank, aud
; coming M again, sank the second time.
was life to one or death to both. caugb
; my teeth in her arm and bit it severely
She let 20 and disappeared. She wa
drowned. was dragged out almos
exhausted. soon, however, went aga
TO work and pulled five ladies' from til
water. An old lady was struggling on
log. went to her assistance. Just a
: laid her on the wharf, she feebly said
,, "God will reward you Tor this" Witt
! out speakng another word, aud, NJ til
next instant, she died. The struEgl
and excitement had beeu too much for Ii.
! system.
Walters rescued an elderly woman. Sl
implored him to save her boy. Pr-seutl
he heard little fellow, who was noatiu
= on u boald, say "Mtster, please get II
:. ont of this" He dived from the whar
= took hold of the boy and swan bacl
landing him safely. The little fellow
= first words we're: "Where's mother ?
=, SIS this her I" said Walters, pointing
the lady whom he had saved, and wi
;, stood with hei lace buried in her hand
|" The mother looked up, saw her son az
> they were soon clsspei in each other
;, arms. Walters worked like Trojan. l.
:, pulled people from the water to Il
:. bridge. Numbers of times he Owed in
= the river for struggling unfortunate
Three of the children were saved |
! swimming after them.
- SIT WAS the most terrible sight ev
saw" said he 81 wouldn't go throug
y it again for the whole of Baltimore. III
8 people acted like towards they RI
away and left the men and women the
!, to drown like rats. If there had bat
- three or four more good swimmers the
a one-half Of them rs was drowned won
~ have been saved
The Baltimore Sta'S list OF the drown
- bodies recovered foots up 63 of who
- "a were women, % children and me