Omaha daily bee., 1888-05-09
Later Particulars OF the Alma Wreck

bdtcr particulars Oh the Anna WreCk'
ORLEANS, Neb., May 7.-[Special to The
BEE. The recent unfortunate disaster on
the B. & M. railroad at Rope Creek, some
three miles east of this place, has beenIthe
ali absorbing topic of conversation since that
unhappy event. The cause Of the disaster
has been discussed pro and con by good citi-
zens, who take different views of the situa-
tion, but the general verdict is that it was
one Of those unforeseen and unfortunate oc-
currences that happen in the course of events,
over which human skill can have no possible
control The train was due, not heavily
loaded, and there having been no tele-
graphic warning of danger ahead, it
was perfectly natural that the engineer
and conductor should think all was right.
Section Foreman White had passed over the
road q short time previous to the wreck and
saw nothing amiss, and the only intelligent
conclusion that an unprejudiced mind can
arrive at is that a sudden outpourng of
water caused the entertainments to give way
and preciptated the train into the surging
waters. Our citizens generally express their
disapproval of the verdict rendered by the
coroner's jury, in so far as that jury de-
nounces the b. & NJ officials for criminal
negligence"
On yesterday afternoon while Mr.. John
Ellis, of Orleans, was looking after
the interests of his stock ranch near the
scene of the Rope Creek disaster, he dis
floating on the water at the head of the island
about one mile east from where the ill-fated
tram went down. There being no skiff
or boat near Mr.. Ellis pro
cured a heavy plank, and by dint
of hard labor succeeded in reaching the OBJ
ject. He found that his surmise was correct
for there lay the body of man who had
been passenger on the wrecked train. Mr..
Ellis secured the body to his improvised bark
and after an exhaustive effort succeeded in
towing it to the shore. Upon examination it
was found that the mans heed was severly
wounded on the back and front, his left hand
was gone and the other arm was terribly
lacerateu. His coat had been torn or washed
off and the pantaloons were partially re-
moved. This accounts for the coat that was
found In one of the wrecked passenger
coaches. 1t would seem that the victim rea-
lizing his awful situation after the car was
submerged endeavored to divest himself of
his clothing and succeeded in removing his
coat. The probability is that his head
struck some iron projection in the
car, thus rendering him insensible and fur
ther attempt at saving himself entirely
futile. This, of course, is only conjecture,
but it is a reasonable hypothesis. What the
feelings of the unfortunate man must have
been while thus literally buried in living
tomb can be better imagined than described.
The road officials have done all that human
sympathy could suggest to soften the pangs
of sorrow for those who were bereft of loved
ones in this unfortunate disaster. Mr.. Ellis
heroic action IN rlSklng his own life to rescue
the inanimate form of IA fellow being from a
watery tomb in order that it might have
christian burial, is worthy of the highest ad-
mlration.
The b. g. M. company have called the fol-
lowing surgeons of their road to attend the
wounded at this place and Alma: DR.. w. l..
Downing, Orleans; DR.. A. J. Wiley, Nc
Cook; DIR. j. M. France, Red Cloud; DIR.
Chas. S. Hart, Lincoln; DR.. r. r. Living
ston, Plattsmouth; Dr. j. b. Sumner, of
Bloomington. These gentlemen have been
assiduous in their duties and have done all
that human skill and medical science could
accomplish for the relief of Charlie
Eaton and the other unfortunate wounded.
Under their skilful treatment the patients
are doing nicely, and unless some unforeseen
phase of their injuries should develope, they
will all recover.
Superintendent A. Campbell and Road
master l.. b. Parsons have also been untir-
ing in their efforts to add to the comfort of
the wounded and clear away evidences of
the wreck.
To-day the body of L. G. Miller of Newark,
o., was taken from the river near the spot
where the body of the unknown man was
found yesterday. The corpse was IN a nude
state, head badly bruised, as was also the
body. 1t is the general impression that
there are others yet in the river, and every
effort is being made TO secure them.