The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-25
a TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.
A Train Plunges Through a Bridge-Nine
Persons Killed.
10 tba TDd;o

"A
A Train Plunges Through a Bridge-Nine
Persons Killed.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
New ALBANY, Ind. Dec. 24-One of the
most disastrous accidents that has occurred
on the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago
railroad in ten years, was that occurring at
o'clock this morning to the south-bound
Chicago train, at Blue-river bridge. one and
half miles south of Salem. The train was
on time and running at the rate of forty
miles an hour. The bridge was re-
earded as one of the most
substantial on the line, but for
thirty hours previous tremendous rains had
fallen, and all the creeks and small rivers
were at flood height. The food in Blue
river was up to the deluge point, and had
undermined the bridge and greatly weak
ened it. The locomotive made the passage
in safety, but just as it reached the south
abutment the bridge broke down, leaving
the engine and tender hanging on
the abutment, and both lied
and careened. The train CD
addition to the locomotive andf
combined baggage, mail and
smoker and gentlemen's car, a ladies' -
fine new parlor-buffet car. All these
except the ladies and buffet plunged il
the swollen river going down endways, |;
piling up in great combustible heap. 1T
not known how many passengers and
ployes were on the train, therefore it is
possible to say how many are among tI.s~
killed
The cars took fire from the overturned
stoves, and all that were partially submerged
and those on the track were speedily mass
of flames. In less than ten minutes all that
was destructble of the splendid train was a
mass of ruins.
THE KILLED
Up to the date of this dispatch nine per-
sons are known to be killed, but the names
of only few of these are known.
Charles Sandford, baggage-master, was
caught under the trunks and other baggage
in his car, and carried to the bottom of the
river. His body was recovered 1t is badly
bruised, and was brought to his home in this
city tonight for burial.
Jacob Helfricn, also of New Albany, was
killed and his body burned to crisp.
Three other bodies burned so as to be un-
recognizable, were also taken from the
wreck. 6"
1t is almost certain there are other bodies
in the wreck. One corpse, besides those
above named, was taken out to-nightAthe'
mother-in-law of Mr.. Crit Cox. s-' 'o'i2J
he ea1 , THE INJURED.
The conductor of the train was badly hurt,
but will recover. Miss Dora Iddngs, of
Lafayette, en- route to visit friends in New
Albany, is safe, but slightly bruised. Two
men from Chicago on their way to
one passenger from Quincy Owen
county, and a man who got on the
train at Salem, are among those reported
missing. None of their names are known.
The number of injured is estimated at
twelve or fifteen. Engineer John Vaughn,
of this city, an old employe of the road will
probably die tonight. The wounded were
taken to Salem, as well as those who escaped,
and all received the best treatment.
President Young, Superintendent Mac
Leod, Division Superintendent Marshall,
General Ticket Agent Murray Kellar, DIR.
Ed. Palmer of Louisville, and Dr. e. P.
Easley, of New Albany, left on a special train
this mornin; for the scene of the wreck. All
the wounded and south bound passengers
will arrive in this city tonight.
Baggageman Sandford had been in the en-
ploy of the road nine years, and this was his
first accident. George Davis, express mes.
senger escaped without injury. Conductor
Crit Cox was but slightly bruised Foreman
Rough, of this city, was painfully hurt.
Trains over the road will run out of Louis.
ville by the o. & NJ, to Mitchell until the
damages are repaired, which will be in a
couple of days. The loss to the company by
the accident in cars and locomotive, is esti.
mated at $35 OO0 Some of the cars were
leased.
REVISED LIST OF KILLED AND INJURED.
The following are the names of the killed
and injured, so far as known:
Boone Thompson, a farmer of Washington
county, Ind,
Charles Sanford, OF New Albany, baggage
master.
John Helfrch, German Methodist minis.
ter, of New Albany
Two passengers burned beyond recosni.
ton.
Iniured-John Vaughan, engineer, New
Albany, severely wounded; J. W. Myers,
fireman, New Albany left leg and side severe
ly bruised; Pat Kane and John Spear, Chicago,
the former badly burned, the latter severely
injured about the spine; Samuel Collins,
Bainbridge, Ind, injured intern
ally and also feared fatally; ]. c.
Boggs, Bainbridge, Ind, slightly
Injured; James Quarrells, colored Chicago,
severely burned and bruised; John
Coleclager, severely bruised; GEORGE.
Davis American Express messenger,