The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-10-18
Al Excursion Train Ground to Splin-
ters on the Lshlgh Road.
The Number Killed Placed at SIS and
40 Wounded.
Human Bodies Msnglsd, Burned and
SOaldsd 0at Of Shape.
Friends and Relatives Of the UnEor.
Inmates Frantic With Grief.

dent on the Lehigh Valley railroad
was rumored to have taken place
Further reports say the wrecked train
was a section of an excursion train
returning from Hazleton. Nearly six
thousand LuZerne and Lackawanna
people had gone there but no one knew
just who had returned. Gradually the
stories took terrible form. It leaked
out that Superintendent Mitchell and
Others had gone down the road by q
special engine. Then q private tele-
gram arrived, saying that the accident
had occurred at Mud Run, one section
Of the excursion train running into an
other. Forty persons were reported
killed. The New Jersey Central train
finally brought news to the effect that
eighty were killed and the excitement
grew intense. All the White Haven
physicians have gone to the scene.
There were seventy-eight cars from
Wilkesbarre to Hazeton, the number
of passengers being about $500.
Many persons, after waiting during
the long hours from ten to three In
the morning took the south bound
train which passed here at $40 and
went to the scene of disaster.
1t was learned there that the third
section of the excursion train had
stood on the track a few hundred
yards from Mud Run, waiting for the
sections ahead to get out of the way.
A fiagman had been sent back with a
lantern to guard the train from the
rear when suddenly the passengers on
the rear platform saw train approach
Twxn. 49, hfr-k, v-.ka - -
these passengers who saw the danger
jumped and escaped. In an instant
the fash of the headlight Illuminated
the interior OF the Inflated rear car;
there was
FRIGHTFUL 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
ength, and the second car was forced
into the third. Not a single person
escaped from the rear car, while the
second was crowded with mangled and
bleeding bodies. The third Car had
but few passengers who escaped unin-
jured.
The terror stricken passengers of
both trains made their way out of the
cars, and going to the telescoped cars,
the full horror of the terrible disaster
dawned upon them. The shattered en-
CINE was pouring forth streams of scald-
ing steam, which hid from their eyes
the full measure of the horrible scene,
while its Kissing sound drowned the
shriekS and groans Of those imprisoned
in the wreck.
CHASTITY WHITE FACES
peered into the windows, to be greeted
with faces far more CHASTITY. Some Of
the dead sat pinioned in their seats.
erect as III life, staring Open-eyed as il
aware OF the horrible suddenneSe of
their death. AS the steam and smoke
cleared away from the rear car its grue-
some sights were revealed. The tim
beers were crushed and twisted, 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 q human semblance. When
the shock OF the first crash had in q
measure subsidized the uninjured began
TO DO what could be done for their I'M
fortunate companions. The few light
tools on the train were called into re-
QUESTION, but proved feeble instru-
ments indeed. The st. Francis Pho
neer corps, who were on the train,
piled with zeal their broadaxes, 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 and brave
men entered and released those least
hurt or least entangled. In one case
they found John Lynch of Wilkesbarre,
HANGING FROM THE ROOF
by one leg. His cries brought friends
who, to lessen his sufferin0s, stood up
on the wreckage and held his weight
upon their backs until he was released
from his terrible position. A young
lady was found caught by her lower
limbs. One Of her legs was quickly
released, but the other could not be re-
lieved, and an unfortunately misdirec.
ted blow of an axe
SEVERED IT FROM HER BODY.
She heroically bore the pain, and took
on hen gold watch and handed it to an
acquaintance as a gift to q friend at
home. She was put on the cars and
given all possible care, but she could
died In the arms of her friends on the
car. To free the bodies in the rear
car, the train men attached q locomO-
tive to the wrecked engine and started
TO pull IL from the wreck. The first
movement OF the shattered wreck
brought from the wounded such
AWFUL CRIES OF DISTRESS.
engineer to desist on pain OF his life.
They did not wish to see the mangled
forms still further mutilRted.
The few houses about the spot were
thown open to the suffering and bon
fires were lighted to aid the work of re-
lief. 1t is not probable that the work
will be completed before noon. The
passengers on the rear train state they
saw the train ahead when far down the
road. They
sPRANG FROM THEIR SEATS
and stared in wonder and surprise that
the train did not slacken its speed.
Suddenly the engineer and fireman
were seen to jump, and then came the
shock. Engineer Harry Cook and
Fireman Hugh Gallagher sustained
slight injuries: The fireman subse-
informed the engineer and then
The passengers gave many different
accounts Of the probable cause of the
accident, some attributing IT TO ne0li-
gence of the flaGman in not getting
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 at the depot were heartreDd-
ing. Several hundred persons Assem-.
bled as the report spread that a train
was approaching. then rush was
made for the platform. A line OF POI
icemen and railroad employ es were
drawn up to keep back the crowd. III
was then reported that the wounded
were on board, and were to be taken
on to Mill Creek, near the hospital
there to be transferred. One Cieauer.
ate man, on hearing this, spFaag for
ward with an awful imprecatioiI and
declared that
HIS FAMILY WE'RE ON THE TRAM
ana that any attempt to keep. him from
them would cost life. 1t was learned
little later that no woun,Ied were 81
board. AS the tram drew I'M IL wa,
found to contain many people from
Pleasant Valley and Minnooke, whC
had left dead friends behind. As the,
alighted and met acquaintance thei
shrieks and walls were pittiful to hear
NMrn ~ a