The Red Cloud chief., 1884-01-11
A FEARFUL WRECK.


Canada twenty-five Lives Lost and
Many Injured, Some Fa,ally-The Vic.
tins Scalded and Roasted to Death-List
of the Dead and Wounded.
TORONTO, ONT, JAM ,.
One of the most frightful railway acci-
dents that ever occurred in Canada took
place this Ihorning at five minutes to sew.
an. About fifteen minutes previous a su-
burban train consisting OF a dummy engine
and two cars on the Great Western division
If the Grand Trunk left Union Station,
having aboard about sixty passengers.
chiefly employees of the Bolt and Iron
Works at Humber, residing in the city, who
were going to their work. Each was hap
pier han the o.her, and, although the
weather was severely cold, a gale blowing
the snow against the car windows, the
merry crowd did not need it as they told
how they spent New Year. ~
On rounding a sharp curve just before
reiching the Bolt Works the engineer saw
a freight train coming laundering down
the grade toward him. He reversed the
engine, blew a warning anu with h fire
man jumped for his life. The conductor
heard the warning, and shouting Jump.
boys, for your lives" spranS into the o
In a second more there was a terrific crash.
The engine of the freight train knocked the
boilers Of the dummy clear through the
first car, crushing tine unfortunate passen-
gers in every direction, and pinning many
to the floor. The impetus was so great the
engine actually mounted the truck of the
dummy (which kept the rails, and remained
On q balance.
The engineer of the freight train, when
he saw Il collision was inevitable, sprang
from the engine, but Thomas, the fireman,
was killed instantly.
To add to the horror of the scene. the
boiler of the dummy exploded and the
steam and boiling water caused the death
and terrible injuries to the manglei N
bleeding men. Then the fire, as ii mad.
dened at other agencies clutching so many
victims, broke out and completed the sick.
ening work, of destruction. Shrieks,
grOans and heartrending cries for help
from the agOniZed sufferers rent the air.
Several poor fellows, suffering untold
agOnies, with limbs and bodies burnt to a
crisp, piteously implored those near them
to pour water upon their scalded limbs or
put an end to their suiferings. Strong
men looked on appalled, and many an eye
was dim with tears. With every possible
phase of Disagreement TO be seen, limbs
cut, bruised, mangled. half eaten away by
fire, swollen to enormous size by steam and
water, no possible horror was left to the
Imagination. No more awfu scene could
be witnessed.
The first passenger car was a terrible
wreck and several hours elapsed before
the poor fellows buried beneath the debris
were extricated. A relief party of thirty
or forty men We're soon on the scene and at
once set at work slowly and tenderly tc
rescue the sufferers, and about ten O'Clock
a carload of lead and injured was on the
wav to the ci'y.i
On arriving at the Union station an am.
bulance, station wagon III several cabs
and 'busses were in waiting. a large crowd
had gathered, and as one after another of
the dead and wounded We're carried from
the car to the cOuveyanceS many turned
sick at the sight. The wound men bore
their sulTerings with fortitude and pa
thence, a lew groans being the only indica.
ton of their intense agony.
The scene at the morGue beggars descrip-
lion There Were fifteen bodies laid sid
by side in rows. Mothers, sisters, fathers
and brothers were to be seen passing from
body to body, and with trembling hands
lifting the coveTiet and gazing on the faces
Of the dead. Now and then a cry of anguish
would tell too plainly of the discovery OF
some dear one carried off in the prime OF
manhood.
AT the hospital on arrival of the wound.
ed, doctors let to work sewing up wounds
and did all in their power to alleviate the
suiferings. One man, mo-. ROwlett, died
shortly after arrival at the hospital. When
found among the debris he spoke cheerfuily
and asked to be allowed to walk. On o
ing down he cried: 40, God, my legs are
off," And they were-burned off.
The Coroner empaneled a jury, who
viewed tie bodies and teen adjourned till
two O'clock, when they again met. Some
evidence was taken and a further adjourn
ment had.
Baber, the conductor OF the freight train,
was Immediately placed under arrest. He
admitted he got orders at Hamilton 20 run
90 Queens wharf, avoiding all regular
trains. He looked at his timetable, but
forgot the suburban train on the list of reg
ular trains. Barber did not show the order
TO the engineer, Jeifery, OF Stratford. This
was Jeifery'S first trip on this part OF the
road, and lie WAS N. ally unacquainted with
the trains. The only train which was
passed between Hamilton and the point oil
accId mt was the wspape tram, going
west. This was passed at Minlco. de
had his mind, he says, on the express.
which leaves the city fifteen minut- alter
the suburban. re
Public sympathy is thoroughly aroused
for the unfortunate widows and children.
Already subscription lists 4 started and
offers Of entertainments made to provide
funds. Several families OF the men killed
axe in poor circumstances.
Besides Charles Thomas, fireman of the
freight train, the following Were killed i'll
stantly:
g.. Aggett; leaves wife and child.
Joseph keefcr; leaves a wife and two
children.
c. Spohn, single; was to be married to-
night.
X. Muiligan; leaves a vile and child.
j. kernahau; wife and family.
Alex. Carruthers: wife AMI large family.
j. White: wife and five children.
Joseph Mcdonald, single.
W. 1eriff. single.
ThoS. Burns. single.
g.. Pre- scot, single.
q. Scarf, single.
John Mckenzie, single.
Chas. S anley, a boy, aged fourteen.
Jno. RowletL; leaves wife and child.
Jno. Lynch; wife and family.
Eddie Robinson, a boy.
Sam Baily, a widower; caves q family.
II. c. Herman; wife and child only six
lays old.
Fred Boethroyd, single.
Hugh Cunningham; oife and three chill
dren.
Three Others are not expected to live
through the night.
The severely injured are W. Rogers.
Patrick Norton, Matthew Walker, Patrick
Cavanaugh.
The following were slightly injured: W.
Fitzgerald, Richard Caruthers, Michael
Kelly, Charles Mcdonald, James Kelly,
Alexander Banks, john Aggctt, john Cor.
r,pau Victor Giraaux Thoy Mcdonald and