The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-17
DUE TO PURE NEGLIGENCE
Frightful Smashupon the Butler Branch
of the Western Pennsylvania Road.
Three Persons Killed and Many More Will Die
Twenty-Five Wounded-Caused by the
Giving of Decayed TimberS on Bridge.

PITTsBURG, Aug. 16.-The south bound
passenger train on the Butler branch of
the Western Pennsylvania railroad, which
left Butler, Pa, at 2:35 o'clock this after
noon, jumped the track at Sewers Station.
and the entire train, consisting of two
passenger coaches and a combination smok-
ing and baggage car, went over an embank-
ment, and was totally wrecked. Three
persons were killed outright and twenty
five others injured. number of whom will
die. The killed are as follows:
w H. POWERS, Lawrenceyille, Pa.
CHILD OF MRS. FARRELL of Butler
MRS DUFF, an old lady, residence unknown.
The wounded, as far as known, are: Ex-
Mayor Lyon, of Pittsburg, seriously; Can't
Lowrer. of Pittsburg, head badly cut; ID. A.
Jones and wife. of Pittsburg, seriously
hurt and bruised: James Mclaughlin. of
Plttsburg, slightly injured; conductor Gray,
OF Butler, seriously injured internally:
brakeman Karns, of Butler, back brokers;
Mrs. Graft, of Pittsburg, injured seriously;
Bessie Fullwood, of Pittsburg, cut i'm head;
Capt Grace, of jamestown, n. Y, painfully
injured.
About fifteen others were more or less in
Jured, whose names are unObtainable at
this writing
The accident was caused by the spread
ing of the rails on small bridge The
rails were on stringers which had rotted
with time and long service. The en-
gine passed over the bridge safely
but the first ear was derailed
thirty feet below. The rails ploughed
through the second car, and the escapes
were miraculous. One lady had her dress
cut from the wrist to the shoulder; another
lost small piece of her cheek; third had
her chin cut, and many others in the second
car narrowly escaped. The train was run
ming with the main car next to the engine.
and the baggage car on the rear, as is the
custom on the branch. to facilitate transfers
at the junction for Pittsburg.
This is the first serious accident that ever
occurred In Butler county, and as this train
was loaded with veterans returning to their
homes from the encampment near here,
much solicitude is expressed in Butler over
the disaster.
On receiving intelligence of the accident
here. Superintendent Kirkland and four
doctors at once left for the scene on the
Butler market train, which was just start
Ing out. On arriving Mt the wreck the
sight was truly heartrendng. On either
side of the track, for distance of nearly a
quarter OF mile, injured veterans were
lying on cushions, and, in some instances,
on the bare ground. women and children,
wounded and bespattered with blood,
age. The railway doctors and pas
sengers of the market train at
once set to work TO care for the injured.
Broken limbs were set and heads and arms
were bandaged.
The railroad officials are severely GEN.
sured by all the passengers for allowing
such negligen There being no telegraph
Office nearer than this point, seven miles
away. 1t was fully two hours before the
alarm could be given and doctors procured,
the wounded meantime lying where they
crawled out of the wreck, OF had been laid
by ellow-passengers.