Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-03

TORONTO, January 2d-At o'clock this morning
a suburban train, bearing about ifty men to their
work at Humber, was run into by a special train
coming east at frightiul speed The dummy en-
gine was driven into the single car used for sub.
urban traffic, and the escaping steam and hot water
scalded the men in the most horrible manner Fire
also resulted from the collision, and several Of the
poor fellows were roasted 70 death. special car
out to the scene of the disaster from here as
quickly as possible, and the uufortunates conveyed
to town, where ambulance, buses and private car
riaSes carried them to the hospital. There were
twenty-seven killed outright and twenty-five
wounded some Of them fatally. The men were
packed in the sitting around the stove chatting
about New Years holiday pleasures, etc.
THE SCENES AT THE ACCIDENT
We're most pitfal, the being most hor-
ribly uutilated. Human bodies were mingled
with the wreck, suffering terribly, and the
groans from the injured were heartrendiug. Sew.
eral men had their legs tangled iu the wreck, and
while their bodies were prot5udiug from the burn
iug pile, their legs were being gradually roasted.
Others, who had been scalded and afterwards ex
tricated, imp!ored those standing about to throw
water on their wounds. One mau had both ewes
burned out and all his fingers burned Of He Law
dying in the snow, waving the stump Of his hand
and shouting at the top of his voice. The conduct
Of the freight train, George Barber Is said to be
responsible for the accident, as he was running his
train without orders. He has been arrested. sew
eral Of the injured are SO badly MANNED that they
are not expected to recover An inquest will be
held this afternoon. The affair casts a gloom over
the city.
Graphic Account OF ihe Disaster
TORONTO, January 2d-On rounding the sharp
curve jus; before reaching the bolt-worSs, the en-
gineer saw the freight train coming laundering
down the grade towards him. lie reversed his
engine, blew warning, and. with the fireman,
jumped Tor life. The conductor heard the warning,
and shouting, Jump, boys, for your lives 90 spraug
into the snow. In a second more there was a terrific
crash The engine of the freight train knocked the
boiler OF the dummy clear through the first car,
crushing the unfortunate passengers in every di-
rectou, and pinnirg many to the floor The im-
petus so great that the engine actually mounted
the track Of the dummy, which kept the rails and
remained on balance. The engineer OF the freight
train, when he saw that the collision was inevitable,
sprang from the engine, hut Thomas, the fireman,
was killed instantly. To add to the horror Of the
scene, the boiler Of the dummy exploded and the
steam and boiler scalded and carried
DEATH OR TERRIBLE INJURIES
To mangled and bleeding men. Then fire. as
maddened at other agencies clutching so many VIC
TINS, broke out and completed the sickening work
OF destruction. shrieks, groans and heartrendng
cries for help from the agonzed sufferers rent the
air Several poor fellows, suffering untold agonies,
with limbs and bodies burned to a crisp, piteously
implored those them to pour water upon their
scalded limbs put end TO their sufferings.
Strong men looked on appalled,, and many an eye
was dim with tears. Every possible phase Of disig-
uremeut was to be seen-limbs cut, bruised, man
gled half eaten away by the fire, or swollen to enor.
nous size by the steam and water.
NO POSSIBLE HORROR WAS LIFT
To the imagination. Ne more awful scene could he
witnessed. The first passenger car a terrible
wreck, and several hours elapsed before the poor
fellows buried beneath the debris we're extricated.
relief party OF thirty or forty men was soon on
the scene, and at once set to work, slowly and ten
derly to rescue the sufferers, and about 10 o'clock
car load of dead and injured on its way to the
city. On arriving at Union Station, ambuances,
wagons, and several cabs and buses were in wait
ing. A large crowd had gathered, and as one after
another Of the dead and wounded was carried from
ear to conveyance,
MANY TURNED SICK AT THE SIGHT.
The wounded men bore their sufTerings with forti-
tude and patience, few grcans being the only ndi-
cation OF their interse agony. At the Morgue
fifteen bodies were placed side by side IN rows on
opposite sides of the room. Mothers sisters,
fathers and brothers were to be seen passing from
body to body, and with trembling hands lifting the
coveret to gaze upon the faces Of tine dead Now
and again cry of anguish would tell too plainly the
discovery Of some dear one. At the hospital, on
the arrival of the wounded, the doctors immedi-
ately set to work sewing up the wounds and did all
in their power to alleviate the suerngs Of the un.
fortunate men. One man, John Rowlette, died
shortly after arriving tine hospital. When found
among the debris he spoke cheerfuliy, and asked to
be allowed to walk, On looking down he cried,
"oH GOD, Ny LEGS ARE OFF :"
And so they were-burued Of. Coroner Lynde I'M
paneed jury, who viewed the bodies and adjourned
till o'clock When they again met, some evidence
was taken, and a further adjournment made Bar
ber conductor Of the freight train, was Immediately
placed under arrest He admitted that he got orders
at Hamilton to run to Queens Wharf, Toronto,
avoiding all regular trains. He looked at the time
table, but forgot the suburban train the list of
trains-hence the accident Public interest is thor
oughly aroused for the unfortunate widows and
children and already subscription lists have been
started and offers OF entertainment made to provide
funds Several families OF the men killed are in
poor circumstances.
For ttrther Dispatches see Cd and 4H pGgsS[
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