The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-01-13
HAvERHILL's HORROR.
MRS. Flora {. Ward of Bridgton,
Among the Dead.
TWO Victims Buried and a Wounded
Passenger Married.
Relic Hunters Searching for Blood
Stained Mementoes.

HAvERHILL, Jan. 12.-The great accident
across the river still remains the reigning
sensation here, and the scene Of the catastro-
phe has been visited by a large number Of
Haverhill people and curiosity seekers from
the surrounding towns. One of the most
striking features of the affair has been the
universal desire to secure relies from the
wreck, and about everything movable in con-
nection with the broken cars was taken
away before the remains sof the rolling stock
were sent to Lawrence
The plush on the seats, the mahogany
veneering on the walls and ceiling were both
raided by the relic hunters, who included
women as we'll as men, and the maker of the
cars would never have recognized them after
they had got through with them. When all
the plush and veneering was gone, these
modern vandals turned their attention to the
iron work, and bolts and nuts disappeared
before their onslaught like snow before the
sun. Anything containing traces Of blood
! was very precious in the eyes Of the marau-
ders.
1t is little singular that the four worst
recent railroad accidents Of magnitude in
New England, the White River Junction,
Greenfield, Busy Bridge and Bradford,
should all have occurred while snow was on
the ground.
The Dead and Wounded.
Mr. George B. Wentworth of Dover, N. H.,
who suffered severe scalp wound, was
much worse Ethis morning and 1t is net
thought that he can live. The other patients
at the hospital are all IN ore. comfortable to-
day. The dead at the Bradford police sta
tiOn have all been taken away by their
friends.
The remains Of the unknown woman who
died in the hospital last night proves to be
those of Mrs. Flora E. Ward, of Bridgton,
Maine Her husband will reach Haverhill,
Friday noon to take the remains.
Wentworth is very low this evening and
cannot survive until morning.
The funeral Of William Taylor, killed in
the accident at Bradford, took place at the
St. James church this morning, Rev. Father
Riordan officiating. An hour later the fun
eral OF John O'Brion. another victim, occurred
at the same place, Rev. Father O'Doherty
celebrant Of mass. Nearly 1000 people were
present.
Mr. George Gardiner Of Uxbridge, one Of
the injured, was married at the Eagle House
at II O'clock this forenoon to Miss Florence
Smith of Amherst, by Rev. w. w. Evarts,
Jr., of the First Baptist church. Mr.. Gardi-
ner is slowly improving, but is confined to
his bed.
The Cause.
Hon. Everett A. Stevens, Of the Board of
Railroad Commissioners, was at the scene
Of the wreck yesterday, accompanied by Di-
vision Superintendent Merritt. The smok-
ing car, which had been hauled back on a
side track, the other side Of the Bradford
station, was visited, and the forward truck
was lacked up sufficiently to allow careful
examination of the broken wheel. A por-
the only part that is missing, and all efforts
to find it have thus far proved unavailing.
The broken wheel was the right hand, for
ward one, in the forward truck of the smok-
er, and the theory is that on striking the
slight curve just before the bridge was
reached. the binding of the rail upon the
fange cracked the piece off, and the truck
was thrown from the track