The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-10-03
MANY MEET DEATH.
Frightfnl Hallway Accident NJ Palatfns
Fridge, y. Y.-The Death List May
lseach Tbtriy-Four Bodies Recovered.

Reach Tbtrty-fOur Bodies Recovered.
PALATIxE BRIDGE. N. T., Sept. - The
6t Louis express No 3 which left Albany
at lO o'clock last night. was telescoped
about two miles east OF here ut about
midnight The first section broke down
and stopped FOR repairs The rear
brakeman was sent back to signal
the second section, but for some reason
failed to perform his duty. The engi-
necr Of the second section says he did not
roc him and the first he cav was the lights
Of the first section directly in front of him.
The first gection was made up of baggage,
mail express and three passenger cars.
packed with PEOPLE. and Wag-
ner sleeper on tho end. The
crash was terrific The second
section tolescoped into tho first section.
knocking out the lights and plunging every
thing into darkness. Up to this hour a.
m-.our bodies have been taken out OF the
sleeper and it is feared the total number
OF deaths will run mp to twenty
i've and possibly more. as the car
wos. full It is difficult to get
particulars The four tracks are blocked
stopped at Palatine. The first section left
Fonda at ll:2l. ten minutes late. The scc-
tions OF the st. Louis express usually run
ten minutes apart.
NEW YoRK, Sept 2S-A correspondent of
the Times was aboard the wrecked train,
and In Especial dated Canajoharie he writes
thus:
Just how the acciden. happened is not de-
termined. Conductor Abel says his rear
brakeman was sent back, but Engineer Horth,
who is very badly hurt. has said that he did not
see him. and the first he saw was the lights Of
the train. Horth is in . bad way. Both legs
are broken.
when the crash came the Times corre-
spondent was asleep in the coach next ahead
of the sleeper OF the first section. Every scat
In the car was taken. One-half OF tine pas
break for the door. but were deferred from
jumping out In the darkness by the cooler
headed passengers.
.aThere was not q surgeon or doctor on the
train. and 1t was with the greatest difficulty
that whisky and brandy were procured for
the wounded It was not until o large bonfire
was built on the north side OF the track that a
realizing sense OF the disaster was obtained.
1.-THE wreck could not have occurred in o
more unfortunate place. On the left, in the
pitchy darkness, and fifty feet below,
was the roaring Mohawk. Not a light could
be seen except those in the coaches.
The lights in the sleepcrs had all been ex-
tnguished. One-half Of the passengers were
awakened from sound sleep to find them
selves wrapped IN gloom. For awhile the peo-
pie we're too dazed to do any thing. The train
men we're mute and reserved as usual under
such circumstances.
Axes and saws were procured and willing
hands set 70 work to cut away the sides Ct the
telescoped cars. How many bodies, II any,
are left ia there at this writing 1t IS impossi-
BILE 10 tell. When the correspondent lef. the
scene at midnight they had not made much
progress.
engineer Weeks, or the first section, said
ne hnd had
happened to the steam-chest, and was out by
the side OF my engine when the crash came. /
immed atey sent my fireman back TO see
what was tho matter, and Conductor Abel dis
patched nsgman TO Palatine Bridge, two
miles away. for assista c.
"The correspondent tried in vain before
leaving to 4ind the rear brakeman OF the first
train scction, but could rot find him. He is
the most important person just now, for 1t
was his duty, rs prescribed by the rules of the
company, 10 run back ut least 60J yards the
moment the train stopped
There IL a discrepancy as TO the length OF
time that the first section vas stand.n: there
some persons claiming that scarcely moment
elapsed before the crash aud others that they
were standing fully i've minutes.
THE first news was brought to Palatine
Bridge by the correspondent and Mr.. T. II.
Coleman, OF Hornellsville. who covered the
two miles over the railway ties in less thai
half hour. The village was asleep.
but Mr.. Coleman, by the assistance of
Oftcer Barret, went from house to
house awakening surgeons who were hurried to
the front rs quickly vehicles could take
them. Ill trains east and west. freight and
passenger. were held 1T Palaiiac. Within half
an hour every doctor had gone forward uni as
sistance had been telegraphed to from Fonda
and Little Falls.
1t was just by Q m racle that the disaster
was not rendered tenfold moro terrible. With
A% lasa v~,tn rtAaa NJ thA
press came tearing along on the fourth
track at the rate OF thirty miles an
hour 1t was stopped just in { me, else il
| would have dashed into the debris OF the
wreck. The second Atlantic express, due In
New YORK At 20 in the morning. was also
| out
ALBANY. N. Y. Sept 2s, 3:35 a IN m-Au-
thentic Information received here says
fonr persons were killed in the accident at
| palatna Bridge, three men and one wom-
an Train No I'D from the West, due here
| at oo:S5. left Paiatine at .:o5 one hour late
She stopped at the scene of the
| accident Jlst lony enough to take
ON Engineer North An ambulance
| was i'll waiting at the depot and
lie was conveyed to the hospital He
talked freely and said he slowed up his
train near spraker's thinking he would
crawl up OH seCtion one At the scene OF
the accident there is q sharp curve.
and he did not see the first section
until almost on TO it; then he ap-
| piled t,e brakes, but they would not work
| lie did not jump. but stood between the
engine and the cab, where he was caught
and both legs were crushed 1t is not
known whether he will survive or not,
| fears being entertained that he will die
| from the shock.
ur1cA. N. Y, Sept. aS. 3 O. ma special
from Canajoharie says that between forty
and fifty persons were killed at Palatine
Bridge railroad accident The railway peo-
| pie here know very little about the acci-
dent At this hour, ) q. m, wrecking trains
have LETT st townsville and Little Falls.
LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS.
HRrnf Ia ~, inn ASN