Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-10-20
A RIDE TO DEATH.
Ehe Terrible Disaster Wednesday Night
ON the Lehjgh Valley Road-Ihe
Scene at tho Wreck Be-
yond Description.
Excursfonfsts Ride tc an Awful Doom
Terrible Suffering of the Injured
Three Coaches Telescoped-The
Scene at the Depot.

Scene at the Depot.
WILKEsBARRE, Pa, October 1.-About III
pollock last night dreadful accident on the
Iehiph Valley road was rumored to have
taken place. Further reports say the
wrecked train was a section of an excursion
train returning from Hazleton. Nearly
5000 Luzerne and Lackawanna people had
gone there; no one knew just who had re-
turned Gradually the stories took terrible
form. It leaked cut that Superintendent
Mitchell and others had gone down the road
on special engine. A private telegram ar
rived saying that an accident had occurred
at Mud Run, one section of the excursion
train running into another. Forty persons
were reported killed.
A New jersey Central train finally brought
news to the effect that eighty were killed and
the excitement grew intense. All the White
Haven hysicians have gone to the scene.
There were seventy eight cars from Wilkes
barre to HazIeton, the number of passengers
being about $500. Many persons after wait
ing during the long, weary hours from III to
3 in the morning, took the south bound train
which passed here at BIO and went to the
scene of the disaster.
It was learned that the third section of the
excursion train had stood on the track few
hundred yards from Mud Run waiting
for the sections ahead to get out
of the way. A fagman had been sent back
with lantern to guard the train from the
rear. Suddenly the passengers on the rear
platform saw the train approaching at a high
rate of speed. Several of these passengers
who saw the danger jumped and escaped.
HEARTRENDING SCENES.
In an instant, the flash of the headlight
Illuminated the interior of the Inflated car.
There was frightful crash as the engine
lunged her full length into the crowded
car. The shock drove the rear car through
the next one, 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. In the third car were
but few passengers who escaped uniniured,
but the terror stricken passengers on both
trains soon made their way out of the cars.
On going to the telescoped cars the fearful
disaster fully dawned upon them. The
shattered eng ne was pouring fourth streams
of escaping steam and hot water, which hid
from their eyes the fullest measure OF the
horrible scene, while its Kissing sound
drowned the shrieks and groans of those i'm
prisoned in the wreck. CHASTITY white faces
peered into the windows to be greeted with
faces far more CHASTITY. Some of the dead
bat pinioned in their seats eject as in life,
staring open-eyed as if aware of the hor-
fible suddenuess of their death. As the
steam and smoke cleared away from the
rear car, its gruesome sights were re-
vealed. The timbers were crushed and
twisted, while on all sides hung the man
gled bodies and limbs. There are few
bodies which are not mangled. They we're
burned and scalded by steam, and little re-
NAMED in the Car which bore human SEM
blancs.
When the shock of the first crash had ina
measure subsidized, the uninjured began to
do what could be done for their unfortunate
companions. The few light tools on the
train were called into reQusition, but proved
feeble instruments indeed. The st. Francis
corps who were on the train, piled with zeal
the broad axes which were ment 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 aud released those the least hurt or
the least entangled.
TERRIBLE SUFFERING.
Wilkesbarre, hanging from the roof by one
leg. His cries brought friends, who, to re-
ieve his suffering, stood upon the wreckage
and held his weight upon their backs, until
he was released from his terrible position.
A young lady was found caught by the
BOWER limbs. One of her legs was quickly
released but the other could not be relieved
and unfortunately misdirected blow of the
axe severed it from her body. She heroic
ally bore up. Her gold watch she handed
to an acquaintance as a gift to a friend at
home. She was put on the cars and given
all possible care, but could not survive her
terrible injuries and died in the arms of
friends on the car.
To free the bodies in the rear car the
trainmen attached q locomotive to the
wrecked engine and started to pull it from
the wreck. The first movement of the
shattered wreck brought from the wounded
such a cry of distress that the surrounding
friends ordered the engineer to deslst on
pain of his life. They did not wish to see
The few houses about the spot we're thrown
open to the suffering and bonfires were
lighted to aid the work of relief. 1t is not
expected the work will be completed before
noon.
The passengers on the rear train state they
saw the train ahead when far down the road.
Thee sprang from their seats and stared in
wonder and surprise. The train did not
slacken its speed. Suddenly the engineer
and fireman were seen to jump. Then came
the shock. Engineer Harry Cook and Fire
man Hugh Gallagher sustained slight in
iuries. The fireman afterward stated that
he saw the red light and informed the engi-
neer and then jumped. The passengers gave
many different accounts of the probable
cause Of the accident, some attributing it to
the negligence of ale fagman in not going
back with the red light; Others say the fourth
section. which ran into the third, had no air
brakes.
.ehe scene Mt the depot was heartrending.
Several hundred persons had assembled as
the report spread that the train was APP
preaching; then rush was made for the
platform. line of policemen and railroad
employees was drawn up to keep back the
crowd It was reported then that the
wounded we're on board and were to be
taken on to Mill creek, near the hospital
and there to be transferred. One desperate
man, hearing this, sprang forward, with an
awful imprecation and declared that his
family we're on the train and that any at
tempt to keep him from them would cost
life. It was learned little later that no
wounded were on board.
Az the train drew up It was found to con-
tain many from Pleasant Valley and Minoke,
Who had left dead friends behind. As thew