New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-24
A CIRCUS TRAIN WRECKED.
PART OF THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
SMASHED UP
BARNuM AND BAILEY LOSE 100000 BY THE 40
cIDENT-THIRTY RING HORSES AND
TWO CAMELS KILLED

TWO CAMELs KILLED.
WATERFOWL, n T., Aug. 23.-The second train
of the Barnum & Bailey show was wrecked late
last night about two miles and half east of Pots
dam while on Its way on the Rome, WateHown
and Ogdensburg Railroad from Gouyerneur to Mon
treal- broken axle was the cause. Thirty ring
horses, including one of the four chariot teams,
and TWO camels were killed Six cars were
thrown from the rails and two we're telescoped So
that everything in them was crushed There were
three trains used in transporting the show The
first train, which carried the tents and their be-
longngs, passed into Canada safely over the Grand
Trunks tracks after leaving the Rome Watertown
and Oydensburg road.
The scene at the wreck to-day was one Of great
confusion. On either side of the track were dis
tributed the bodies of the dead horses while here
and there, tethered to fences, were poor animals
which have received injuries which render them
useless At the side of the highway were cameIs,
sacred cows and various other animals thai
were rescued from the cars. The cars were cap
sized and twisted into all sorts Of shapes and piled
up. on the track in seemingly hopeless entangle-
ment The elephants, which were in the
first car and were not hurt, were taken
from the car, and stood swaying their
bodies angry, as if displeased at their long con-
fnement. Wrecking crews from Watertown and
Oswego worked Systematically az the obstruc-
tion on the track.
Mr. Barnum's partner, J. A. Bailey was at the
scene He said it difficult to estimate the
loss at present. but it will be in the neighborhood
of 100000 lie thinks the loss Of the days rc-
ceipts at Montreal will BE about 81 300 and some
of the horses that were killed were valued at
thousands of dollars each Money cannot replace
them, for two years are required for training
them after the right kind have been secured. The
show was billed for Montreal to-day and to-mor-
row. The New-IIamDshire and Maine delegations
to the Grand Army of the Republic Encampment
at Milwaukee were delayed at Norwood on account
of the accident.
The trick ponies, which have attracted much
attention, suffered death in the accident, as did
the $1,000 stallion which was driven by Mrs.
Adam Forepaugh, jr. 1t is said that Mrs Fore.
paugh wept bitterly when she heard of the death
of this horse The pretty white mule, which
also performed remarkable tricks, is also among
the lost. Several of the eight chariot horses are
also dead. There about eighty head of live
stock stabbed and pastured the scene of tha
wreck. These were taken from the derailed cars.
Eleven men were taken out Of of the cars
through the roof, there being no other way of
egress for them. The roof taken Off. All
the men were found uninjured but most of them
were badly frightened.
The night was dark, and this made the work of
rescue much more difficult. Bonfres were built
at safe distance from the wreck and they shed
some light over the scene. The Arabs were at
first parayzed with terror, but when they found
that none of their party had sustained injuries
they worked bravely in rescuing others. Many
superstitious American mistoolz them for ghosts
as they stalked along in the darkness
Acting Assistant Superintendent Brown has been
at the scene almost constantly since the accident.
Stock ears have been brought here to convey thu
animals to Montreal, and all the details have been
arranged for transporting the remainder of tha
show as the track is cleared The total
number of horses killed is thirty.three. Two OF
tnree Others are expected TO die. Some were
killed to relieve them of their suffering. Mr.
Hazleton, superintendent of motive power is at
the scene directing the wreclIing crews and Mas
ter-Nlechanic Batchelder and Roadmaster Keith
also have gangs of men at work repairing the
track. Probably 10000 people from the neigh.
boring towns of Norwood and Potsdam and the
country roundabout have visited the place to-day
and more are constantly coming.