The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-10-12

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Illuminated the interior OF the ill-fated
rear car; there was irightful crash and
the engine plunged her full length into
the crowded mass OF humanity. The
shock drove the rear car through the
next one for two.thirds of its length and
the second car was forced into the third,
NOT A SINGLE PERSON ESCAPING
from the rear car. The second was
crowded with MANNED and bleeding
bodies, and the third car had but few
passengers who escaped. The uniDjured,
but terror stricken passengers OF both
trains, made their way out OF the cars,
and going to the telescoped engine and
cars, the full horror OF the terrible disas-
ter dawned upon them. The shattered
engine was pouring fourth streams Of
scalding steam and water which hid
from their eyes the fullest measure Of
the horrible scene, while its Kissing
sound deadened the shrieks and groans
of those imprisoned in the wreck.
Ghastly white faces peered into the win
dows to be greeted by faces far more
ghastly.
Some OF the dead sat pinioned in their
seats, erect as in life, staring open-eycd
us if aware OF the horrible surroundings
AS the steam and smoke cleared from
the rear car, its awful sights were re-
vealed. The timbers were crushed and
wrcnched, while on all sides hung
MANGLED BODIES AND LIMBS.
The few bodies which were not man
gled, were burned and scalded by the
steam, and little remained in the car
which bore human semblance. When
the shock OF the first crash had in meas
ure subsidized, the uninjured began to do
what could be done for their unfortunate
companions. The few light tools on the
train were called into reQuisition, but
proved feeble instruments indeed. The
st. Francis pioneer corps, who were on
the train, piled with zeal the broad.aXes
which were meant for holiday occasions.
They were, however, but little adapted
to the work, and were soon rendered
useless. In the meantime the windows
Of the cars were smashed in, brave men
entered, and released those least hurt
or least entangled.
AWFUL SCENES.
In one case they found John Lynch,
of wilkesbarre, hanging from the roof
by one leg. His cries brought friends
who, to relieve his suffering, stood upon
the wreckage and held his weight upon
their backs until he was released from
his terrible position. A young lady was
found caught by the lower limbs. One
Of her limbs was quickly released but
the other could not be freed, and an un-
fortunately misdirected blow OF an axe
severed it from the body. She heroic
ally bore her torture and taking out her
gold watch, she handed it to an &C.
quaintance as gift to u friend at home.
She was put on board one OF the trains
and given all possible care, but she
could not survive her terrible injuries
and died in the arms OF friends on board
the Car.
To free the bodies in the rear car the
tfainmen attached locomotive to the
wrecked engine and started to pull it
from the wreck. The first movement Of
the shattered wreck brought from the
wounded such
AWFUL CRIES OF DISTRESS
that the surrounding friends ordered
the engineer to dcsist on pain OF his life.
They did not wish to see the mangled
forms still further mutilated. The few
houses about the spot were thrown open
TO the suffering and boniircs were light
ed to aid the work OF relief. Passengers
on the rear train state that they saw Il
train ahead when far down the road.
They sprang from their seats andstared
in wondeP and surprise that the train
did not slacken its speed. Suddenly
their engineer and fireman were seen to
lump; then came the shock. The engi-
neer, Harry Cook, and the fireman,
Hugh Gallagher, sustained slight iniur-
les. The fireman subsequently stated
that he saw the red light, informed the
engineer and then jumped. The pas.
Sengers gave many different accounts Of
the probable cause OF the accident, some
attributing it to the negligence Of the
ilagman in not going back with the red
light. Others say the fourth section,
which ran into the third, had no air
brakes.
After the news was received at the
hospital confirming the worst fears, the
scenes ut the depot were heartrending
indeed. Several hundred persons assem-
bled as the report spread that the train
was approaching; then u rush was made
for the platform. 4 line Of policemen
and railroad employees was drawn up to
keep back the crowd. It was then re.
ported that tho wounded were on board
and were to be taken on TO Mill Creek,
near the hospital, there to be transferred.
ONE DESPERATE MAN
hearing this, sprang forward, and with
an awful imprecation, declared that his
family were on the train, and that an at
tempt to keep him from them would cost
life. II was learned n little later that
no wounded were on board. AS the
train drew up 1t was found to contain
many from Pleasant Valley and Min
+okee who had left dead friends behind.
As they alighted and met acquaintanres
their shrieks and walls were pitiiul to
hear. One young woman moan.
ed that her father and sister were dead /;
another a brother, and SO II went,
The crowd became wild with excite
ment. Gradually the iacts narrated
above were CLEANED from the more com.
posed. A sad incident was the
presence on the platform OF Michael
J Whalen, OF Pleasant Valley. Up and
down he wandered questioning each one
. as TO his boys, aged respectively l2 and
| IL years. Finally one Of the passenger
! remarked that one Of the boys was hurt
The strong man groaned. The iniormant
hurried away and told q reporter tha
he thought both OF the boys were dead
The report getting abroad in Scranton
| a ,,p,lar nf nnTaNng who had fFianda M