Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-06
Terribly Fatal Catastrophe on Railro.


Terribly Fatal Catastrophe on a Railroad
in Iowa.
ST. PAUL, April 5th.-A special to the
DlSpdtch from Newhampto, Iowa, says: A
terrible railroad accident occurred about
four miles west of here, on the Milwaukee
and st. Paul, by which at least a dozen peo-
pie lost their lives, and from fifteen to
twenty were injured.
The train, which left Chicago at IH,3O
yesterday morning, and was due here at
2-l0 this morning, passed here nearly on
time, and when about four miles away,
plunged into the creek, the foundations
OF the bridge over which had been washed
out
The creek was swollen by an immense
amount OF water which has been running
for the past few days, and in addition a.
gorge was formed which, previous to the
arrival OF the train, carried away portion
OF the bridge. There Wis nothing to show
that there was danger ahead, and
THE TRAIN PLUNGED INTO THE STREAM
While it was running at full speed. The
engine and three coaches went into the
creek, and were Immediately submerged in
the trent OF water which oyerflowed the
bank
A scene of the widest confusion ensued.
and those OF the train crew and passengers
who escaped death or injury were imme-
dlately called into service to relieve, the
pinioned or drowning passengers
1t was with great difficulty the passengers
could be reached, owing to the rushing of
the waters through the car windows
Those who were rescued from the smok-
ingcar, which was almost entirely sub
merged, were taken from the windows.
some MANNED to such an extent that they
were powerless to help themselves, while
the others unhurt were nearly drowned be-
fore aid could reach them
THE CASUALTIES.
At IL A. M. six dead bodies had been
taken out from the wreck, and three more
were known to be underneath the debris
through which the water was madly flow
ing.
IL was stated that the engineer and fire.
men We're instantly killed, or were caught
in the cab and drowned before aid could
reach them. but the confusion and excite
ment were so great it was difficult to secure
reliable information.
In addition to the passengers known to
be killed, from fifteen to twenty were
rescued that are now more or less seriously
injured.
A number were so dangerously hurt that
II is feared they cannot possibly recover
tAS oOOAA % lAC WHO
injury, could be spared, he was dispatched
to the next station and relief train was
telegraphed for from Mason City.
Telegrams for relief were also sent to
Charles City and other nearby places.
1t was not until several hours after the
accident that train arrived with physi.
clans.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
CHARLES CITY Ia), April 5th.-The
wreck on the Chicago, Milwaukee and ST.
Paul Railroad some claim was cased BY ice
on the track, while others claim it was bv
the spreading of the rails. The engine
jumped the track first, and the baggage car
and tender plunged over the engine into
the water. The smoker struck on top of
the engine, and was badly mashed.
The engine is entirely under water, and
the baggage car is almost covered with
water
There were about thirty people in the
smoker. -Four were killed, so far as
known, besides the engineer, who was
crushed between the cab and smoker. The
fireman escaped unhurt. There were about
twenty-five to thirty wounded, though none
fatal.
The belief is that three or more bodies
are yet under the wreck. The baggageman
and route agent escaped through window
"ilnONie much INJURY. Iue names OF the
dead, that have been learned, are as follows:
w. Anderson, c. Searens, ]. Daniels, James
Scagel (the engineer), of Mitchell, OAK,
Dora Heidecker, little girl about four
years old.
OF the names of the wounded only two
can be obtained, those of NJ. o. 3. Allen
and II. Scar, both of Nora Springs.
A Chicago travelling man and conductor
kept the passengers quiet till they could
help them out. The wounded are mostly
burned from the engine. The mails and
baggage are in the river.
Three physicians from New Hampton
and three from Charles City are doing all
they can for the wounded.
ICE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT
CHICAGO, April 5th.-A dispatch to the
Associated Press from New Hampton, Ia.
says: The train was thrown from the track
by block of ice which the wind and high
water had placed there.
Hopes are now entertained that no more
bodies are imprisoned in the wreck.