The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-12
FIFTY-FIVE!
Deaths by the Railroad Accident,
One of the Most Terrible Casualties
In Railroad History.
Graphic Description Of the Scene
of the Calamity.
Incidents of tho Wreck-Terrible
Suffering
Full List OF the Dead and Wounded
Curious Attitude Of the Com
pany--oharity Of the
Eeighbors.

WILKESBARRE, Ia, oct ll.-AOOut ~
O'Clock last night dreadful accident on
the Lehigh Valley railroad was rumored
to have taken place, and further reports
said the wrecked train was q section OF the
excursion train returning from Hazelton.
Nearly 5000 Luzerene and LackaVanna
people had gone there, and no one knew
Just who had returned. The railroad
officials were mute. They knew nothing.
Gradually the stories took terrible form.
IT leaked out that Supt Mitchell and
others had gone down the road on q
special engine. Then a private telegram
arrived, saying that the accident had oc-
Cured at Mud Run, one section Of the
excursion train running into another.
Forty persons were reported killed. Peo-
pie were in agony, and the crowd at the
depot swcilod 10 hundreds. stu the oili
cials were mute. No dispatches could be
gotten over the wires Many well known
citizens were seen at the depot wringng
their hands, faces fearful and pale with
dread. Women thronged the depot with
terror stricken countenancgs, sobbing, cry
ing or silent aud trembling with dreadful
uncertainty. still the railway officials
preserved their terribly cruel silence de-
claring that they knew nothing. Every
means was taken TO get information, but
all to no purpose. \ New jersey Central
train finally brought news TO the effect
that eighty were killed, and the excite
mcnt grew intense. All the White Haven
physicians had gone TO the scene. There
were seyenty-eight cars from Wilkesbaue
to Hazleion, the number Of passengers
being about $500. The sections were all
crowded to suloca,ion. furnishing the con.
ditions for
TERRIBLE loss or LIFE
in case OF wreck. Throughout the night
the depot was throngcd by hundreds OF
persons, suffering untold agony over the
uncertainty. The throng was loud in its
denunciation Of the company for refusing
all information, and causing needless sui.
ierng. At $50 o'clock am. the report
WIS in circulation that arrangements had
been made for the receipt Of a large mum.
Der Of the wounded at the hospital. The
rumor was soon confirmed. Tie officials
were expecting twenty-five OF the victims.
With such q list of wounded coming in
this direction the public pulse stood still
over the horrible possibilities, and
thousand fainting hearlsquiyercd in dread.
Many persons wanted 20 90 10 the scene OF
the disaster and endeavored TO charter q
locomotive. The Rev. Father Moyian, Of
Scranton, offered TO pay cash for any ex-
pense In that direction, but the favor could
not be obtained, owing TO the absence Of
Supi Mitchell ut the wreck.
Many persons, after waiting during the
long weary hours, from ten 90 three in the
morning, took the south bound train
which passed here at 3; 10 and went 10 the
scene Of the disaster. IL was there learned
that the third section Of the excursion
train had stood on tho track few hun.
dred yards from Aud Run. waiting for
sections ahead TO get out Of the way. A
fagman, some say, had been sent back
with lantern 10 guard the train from the
rear. Suddenly the passengers on the rear
platform saw train approaching ut
uIGu RATE or SPEED.
Several Of these passengers who saw the
danger jumped and escaped. In an in.
slant the flash OF a headlight illuminated
the interior Of the Inflated rear car; ilIcfc
was n frightful crash aud the engine
plunged her full length into the crowded
UlAah Oh nuNlNllIls lNlt hANNh NTbNt Nlit
rear car through the next one for two
thirds Of It's length, and the second car
was forced into the third. Not single
person escaped from the rear car. The
second was crowded with manned and
bleeding bodies, and the third ear had but
few passengers who escaped. The injured
but terror stricken passCngprs
OF both trains made their way
out Of the cars, and on going Ia the tele.
acoped engine and cars where the iull
horror OF the terrible disaster dawned
upon them. Tho shattered engine was
pouring forth streams OF scilding steam
and water, which bid from their eyes the
fullest measure OF the horrible scene,
while its Kissing sound deadrned the
shTieks and gruanJ OF these imprisoned IN
the wreck. Ghuslly white faces pcercd
into the windows 10 be greeted 10y faces
far moro ghas,ly. Some Of the dead sat
PiNIosEp ~ ruuE STATS,
erect rs In life, staring opcn.oyed as II
aware Of the horrible surroundings. As
tie steam and smoke cleared away from
the rear car. IT, awful sights we're revealed.
The timbcr Wcrc crushed aud wrCnchcd,
while on ull sides hung mnpglod bodies
and limbs. The few bodies which were
notmanglcd were burned Hndsclldcd 10y The
steam ana little remained IN TIE CIR winch
bOrc human resemblance. Whom the
shock Of the iirrt crash had In q measure
subsidized the uniujurcd began 10 do what
thoy could for their unfortunate COM
panionA The few light tools on the train
were called into rrquisiti0n, but proved
feeble instruments indeed. The g. Fran
els pioneer corps, who were ON the train,
piled with zeal the broadaXes which were
meant for holiday occasions They were,
however, but little adapted 10 the work,
and were soon rendered useless. In the
meantime the windows OF the ears were
smashed In, brave men entered and re-
leased those lcas. hunt or least cnianglcd
In one case they found John Lynch, d
Wilkesbarrc, hanging from the rool by
one leg. Ills cries brought friends, Who
to relieve his sulorings, stood upon the
wrcckagc aud held his weight upon thei
backs until ho was released nom
ms rt.IuDig POSITION.
4 l.. 4 a a.