Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-06-20

the u ain started for the bridge lntul
lively every one knew the dam shad
broken and the water was coming
The inhabitants, shrieking and crying
ran for the mountain side. The two en-
yines on the limited blew their whistles
and started with the train up the track,
followed by freight train.
The writer was IN the rear of the next
to the last car on the limited. The roar
of the water was almost destening. In
less time than il has taken TO write TINS
paragraph, it had struck the houses near
est the bridge aud they were lifted high
into the air and tumbled over in the surg
ing stream. The engine of the escaping
freight train, which had given the alarm,
had hardly reached the north side when
the bridge went down and the freight
cars we're borne of by the rushing waters.
s the passenger rein filed up the track
the back water up the North Branch car
ried by it articles of furniture from the
houses which few seconds before were
standing by the side of the train.
There was great excitement among
the passengers on the train, but it was
soon discovered that the danger was
passed, and Thank God, We are saved"
went up from the hearts and lips of all on
board.
The limited train lay at Wiimore all
night and until late Sunday afternoon,
when it proceeded slowly east, reaching
/ Altoona about O'Clock that evening.
/ The next day passengers on the i'll fsted
/ day express trains who had escaped com
menced TO arrive, and by Sunday noon
/ there was great crowd.
The railroad company did everything
| possible to care for its belated passengers,
/ so far "a their persona comfort was con
cerned. They were fed and lodged at
| the Logan House and on the cars. The
ports from Johnstown were heart sick
eDinR. OF course, she first thought of the
saved was TO get word to friends at home,
! but it was soon learned that the wires
were down on all sides and that il was i'm
possible to get messages off. John ID.
| Van Rorne, of the Western Union Com
! pgny, who was Oh one of the wrecked eX-
press trains, and who narrowly escaped,
took charge of the telegraph office. All
the die patches sent the day before from
points between Altoona and Johnstown
had reached the former office. Mr.. Van
Horne Immediately set about getting
them off. He sent a squad of men east
on q track bicycle with instructions to
send she dispatches from the first point
where through wire could be struck.
This party reached Harrisburg some time
Wednesday. Mr.. Van Horne was frank
with all in-comers, and told them that
it was impossible to get messages off,
but that ne would do the best he could.
The belsted passengers we're patient
and uncom planning, and had the com pan y
taA q Z
permitted and aided in getting messages
TO and from friends of the passengers, it
would have been much better. By Tues
day the situation had changed so chat the
people aboard the trains were as snxiou:
TO hear from home as those at home had
been two days before to hear from the
passengers.
The railroad managers were not frank
1t was known that the railroad company
had oommunicg ton with the outside
world on Sunday. Messages we're sen
and received. By Tuesday the company
had lines working both east and west, bu
/. it was impossible for passengers to senC
or receive messages.
Thesrebuilding of bridges and track
was insignificant compared to relieving
I the minds of loving wives, parents apC
I
/ sages had been sent and received, ant
they thought that in matter of human
, ity there should be no such thing as rank
no difference between the emigrant coaci
and the palace car. They would h6v
waited patiently for days the REQ eninI
of the road could they have heard from
Z home.
, When the black clouds OF grief whiol
! L 40 has
e rolled away some one is quite likely K
D ask, "Why did the managers of the rail
road company mass its trains in the mar
- row strip between Johnstown and Soutt
Fork?' and "Why were the day expires
0 trains permitted to remain for hours a
D Johnstown, when all the time the II )ot
b was increasing, and wltA 'he knowIedg
I the railroad off ,ias had of the Location
of the reservoir
e If il was known that these trains c0ul,
not proceed farther east without incress
D ing the dangers why were they not rul
l. back west from JOhnstowu to places o
com parative safety It will not do to ga
70 that the limited was saved by sending i
] east from Johnstown. Had IL remained
G south of the river at South Fork 1t ant
4 all on board would have been destroyed
T A glance at the map will convince N
e reader of the truth of the statement. N
e credit is due the railroad management
d that 1t and its passengers were saved. n
official order was given for its crossin.
; the bridge.
o To one acquainted with the situation i
- does seem that the trains with all on boar
might have been saved. Whose fault Wal
: 1t that they we're Dotf
Those who witnessed the scene
p at Johnstown and South Fork vii
q never be able TO obliterate them from
T their minds. They will take them 70 tn
3 grave. Friendships were formed durinl
$ those terrible days of suffering and agon
that will last always, and the manly mel
y and the womsnly women who stood b.
D each other there will carry with then
e always feelings OF the tendsrest regar
Z for each other.
FEANK HArToS.
NoTruth i'm the Matter.
7 WASHINGTON, June l3-1here Is tn
4 - ~.