The Springdale news., 1888-10-19
THE MUD RUN DISASTER.
Details of tho Terrible Disaster on
 the Lehigh Valley Road,
By Which Three Score Lives Were Lost and Great Number Injured Heartrending scenes Amid
 the Debris.


 Wednesday night
 About ten 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 section of the excursion train re- turning from Hazleton. Nearly six thou sand Luzerne and Lackawanna people had gone there, and no one knew just who had returned The railroad officials were mute. They knew nothing. Gradu- ally the stories took terrible form. It leaked out that Superintendent Mitchell and others had gone down the road on special engine Then private telegram arrived, saying that the accident had oc- cured at Mud Run, one section of the ex- cursion train running into another. Forty persons were reported killed. Peo- pie were i'll agony. and the crowd at the depot swelled to hundreds. Still the off
 cials were mute. No dls patches could be gotten over the wires. Many we'll known citizens were seen at the depot wringing their hands; faces fearful and pale with dread. Women thronged the depot with terror stricken countenances, sobbiug crying or silent and trembling with dreadful uncertainty. Still the rail- way officials preserved their terribly cruel silence, declaring that they knew nothing Every means was taken to get information, but all to no purpose. A New Jersey Central train finally brought news to the effect that eighty persons were killed and the excitement grew in- tense. All the White Haven physicians had gone to the scene. There were sev- enty-eight cars from Wikesba to Hazleton. the number of passengers be- ing about 5,509. The sections were all crowded to suffocation, furnishing the conditions for terrible loss of life in case of wreck. Throughout the night the depot was thronged by hundreds of per- sons, suffering untold agony over the un certainty. The throng was loud in it's de- nuncation of the company for refusing all information, and causing needless suffering
 At 3:30 a. m. the report was in cireula- tion that arrangements had been made for the receipt of large number of the wounded ct the hospital. The rumor was soon confirmed. The officials were ex- peeting twenty five of the victims. With such list of wounded coming in this di- reetion, the public pulse stood still over the horrible possibilities, and thous and tainting hearts qulyered i'll dread Many persons wanted to go to the scene of the disaster, and endeavored to charter To- comotive. Rev. Father Moylan, of Scran- ton, offered to pay cash for any expense in that direction, but the favor could not be obtained, owing to the absence of Sn- perintendent Mitchell at the wreck. Many persons, after waiting during the long weary hours from ten to three in the morning, took the south b ound train. which passed here at ten minutes after three o'clock, and went to the scene of the disaster. It was there learned tn at the third section of the excursion train had stood on the track a few hundred yards from Mud Run, waiting for see- tions ahead to get out of the way. flag man, some say, @had been sent back with q lantern to guard the train from the rear. Suddenly the passengers on the rear platform saw train approaching at a high rate of speed. Several of these passengers, who saw the danger, jumped and escaped. In an instant the il ash of a headlight illuminated the interior of the ilI-.ated rear car; there was a frightful crash, and the engine plunged her full length into the crowded mass of human ity
 The shock drove the rear car through the next for two- thirds of its length and the second car was forced into the third. Not single person escaped from the rear ear The second was crowded with maimed and bleeding bodies and the third car had but few passengers who escaped. The uniuiured, but terror stricken, pas seugers Of both trains made their way out of the cars, and on going to the tele coped engine and cars the full horror Of he terrible disaster dawned upon them The shattered engine was pouring forth streams of scalding steam and water which hid from their eyes the fullest
 l.. I, !. l., missing sound deadened the shrieks and groaas of those imprisoned in the wreck.
 Ghastly white faces peered into the windows to be greeted by faces far more ghastly. Sop'e of the dead sat pinioned in their sea ;, erect as in life, staring open eyed 53 if aware of the horrible surroundings. As the steam and smoke cleared away from the rear car, its awful sights were revealed. The timbers were crushed an,l wrenched, while on all sides hung maugled bodies and limbs. The few bodies which were not mangled were burned and scalded by the steam, and little remained in the cars which bore human semblance. When tine shock of the first crash had in measure sub sided, the uninjured began to do what could be done for their unfortunate con- pauions.
 The few light tools on the tram 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 caIs were smashed in, brave men entered and released those least hurt or lea' entan- gled. In one ease they found John Lynch, of Wilkesbarre, hanging from the roof by one leg. His cries brought friends, who, to relieve his suffering,