Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-31
BURNED IN A CIRCUS CAR.
Horrible Disaster In Coiorado-A Car Csn'
tanning Sixty Men Beionsing 20 Ciress
Takes Fire-Severai Men n..a


A Greeley (Col.) special Of Friday says:
Inc burning of circus ca- nine miles
norm OF ureeiey was attended with inde-
scripaDie horrors. The burned car was
next 10 the engine, In train OF seventeen
ears, containing Orton's Anglo American
circus, which left Fort Collins about mid
night last night for Golden, over the Gree
ley, Salt Lake and Pacific railroad. The
train was nearing W ndsor, a small station
near Greeley. and was running at
the rate OF about twenty-five miles
an hour. when Engineer Coleprist
discovered the car TO be on fire and at
once reversed his engine and threw open
the whistle-yalve. There were sixty men
In the car. arranged in three tiers OF hunks
on either side. The forward side door was
closed and men in hunks sleeping against
II. The rear side door was closed, aud the
men who awoke discovered the lower un-
occupied berth next TO Il, containing rub
bish, on FIRE, filling the ear with smoke and
cutting of escape In that direction. The
only means OF egreSs was through a small
window between the car and engine. John
Pine Edgerton, OF Wisconsin, and Elmer
Millett, OF Iowa, crowded through this
opening and tried 10 pass IN water from
the engine-tank.
TRYING TO SAVE THE VICTIMS.
Owing 10 the sufocating gases IL was
difficult TO arouse the sleepers, ana some
were kicked and bruised In shocking
manner and pitched oat OF the window.
The screams Of those unable 10 get through
the blockade 10 the aperture were terrify-
ing. The wild glare OF the flames and the
sight OF the burning victims outside, who
lay wrlthing in agony on the cactus beds,
caused the wild beasts In the adjoining ear
10 become frantic with terror, making the
scene appalling. The performers, who
occupied the rear car, gazed with white
faces on the awful spectacle. In the midst
Of the confusion two or three heroic souls
appeared. Equal to the occasion. they
bravely cut their way 10 their companions,
10 find them already in the agony OF death.
Albert Lake, in charge OF the animals, and
his friend Kent walked over cactus in their
bare feet, pouring buckets OF oil on the
bistered unfortunates and wrapping them
in blankets.
An old Paciiic-coast soldier named Nc
Donald, formerly Of Forepaugh's show,
was terribly burned, his flesh hanging in
shreds.
SCENE OF HORROR.
The heartrendng cries OF the men on
the prairie, the smothered appeals OF the
diving within the ear. the roaring flames,
and the howling Of the animals made the
situation terrible beyond description. The
Odor Of roasting flesh and the distant cry
Of the coyote added to the general horror.
The voices Of the dying grew fainter, and
soon ceased. The engine had gone to
Greeley for assistance. and returned with
DR.. Jesse IOwes, president OF the State
of ha NJ
in being pulled through the small windows
Of the car had their limbs broken and
FONTS dislocated. At daylight flat-car
carried the charred bodies into Greeley for
interment.
BURIED IN ONE IMMENSE COFFIN.
The county commissioners buried the re.
mains IN a coffin seven feet wide and ten
feet long, in the Greeley cemetery. The
Rev. Mr.. Reed, Presbyterian minister,
conducted the funeral services. The coro-
ner impanelled jury, but they were una
ble to learn the cause Of the fire or any i'm
portant facts. as the managers, with the re-
mainder Of the company, left Immediately
for Golden, to ill an engagement. 1t Is
impossible TO get a complete list OF the
dead, as many were engaged but day or
two, and their names are unknown.
The names OF the dead As far as known
are as follows: Alexander Mcleod, Mari
nette, Wis; Thomas Kelly. New York
city, and others known only as "Siyer-
thorn" candy" "Frenchy," Frank"
GEORGE" and Smithie," and one un-
known.
BADLY BURNED, But ALIVE.
The following is list Of the sufferers
now at st. Luke's Hospital, in this city
f. f. Fairbanks. aged twenty-five, arms,
legs, and face badly burned; Albert Bor-
den, aged seventeen, OF Logan, Kan. arms
and face badly burned: Thomas Golden.
aged seventeen, OF Detroit, Mich, very
badly burned on face and legs; ".
j. Zimmerman, aged eighteen. OF
st. Louis, Mich, arms, legs. face.
and back fearfuly burned; Frank
King, Of Menominee, Mlch., badly burned
about hands and feet; Michael McGlinn.
aged twenty-eight, Of Holton, Mich, face
and hands badly burned; Hugh O'Donnell,
aged fifty-siX, OF New Orleans, badly
burned about the face, arms, hands, and
back, will probably die.
4 number Of the rescued agree that in
the cars were two barrels OF gasoline. which
exploded either from sparks from the en-
CINE or from the naked torch with which
the men were accustomed TO light them
selves TO bed.