New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-12
PRICE THREE CENTS

StdHOn agent 1Oung ana StatlOnmaSter SilkeSneH
superintended the preparation OF the outgoing
trains and at the Reading station Agent Winters
and Iardmastcr Metz performed similar service.
All four looked as if they were unwilling TO sane
tion so perilous an undertaking. and were il noe
for the cheerful assurances of both engineers and
train crews, all experienced men, they would not
have yielded to the pressure.
The heavily-laden storm specials left che
two stations followed by fcrvent and heartfelt
Godspeed from the crowds Of people the plat
forms. There were four trains in all, three from
the Camden and Atlantic station and from
the Reading. Each had locomotive in the front
and one in the rear when they headed for the
Hooded meadow land, and they crept along over
the hidden tracks as if fearful of fatal plunge
They all went out between the hours OF and
in the morning, just as the high tide was nearing
its limit. The hurricane too, gaining IN
strength, and its fierce, sweeping gusts threw the
water against the car windows and made the
heavy coaches rock to and fro as IL in momentary
danger Of overturning. IL then that feeling
of terror filed the indiscreet passengers, who only
short time before were gleeful in their anticipa-
tions of a speedy escape from the submerged town.
Many gloomy consultation was held to the
advisability Of returning.
Long before the mainland was reached the train
undertaking, and decided to go back Their en-
gInes were ploughing through two to four feet OF
water, which threatened every moment TO extin-
guish the fires, and there was vcrtable sea
ahead, there alternative but to return.
So the engines were reversed and the trip back
begun, now doubly hazardous because of the fact
that the waters had risen several inches. Hardly
a furiong had been covered, however, before the
fires were eXtinguished by the rushing torrents of
water, which dashed against the cars with terrific
force, breaking the windows and completely en-
veoping the trains in spray.
When it became known to the passengers that
their trains were helpless and at the mercy of
the rising waters there scene of consterna-
tion among them that beggars description. Women
screamed and fainted children cried, and
stout-hearted men gave way TO the gen.
eral despair. All efforts to relieve
the awful dependency seemed unavailng,
and it was only when the conductors went from
car TO car and shouted themselves hoarse to the
effect that relief engines had been teegraphed for
that the frightened passengers resumed a more
hopeful air and patiently awaited the approach
of their rescuers When they did come it took
mighty effort to pull the beleaguered trains
the sunllen and twisted tracks, and it was
o'clock in the afternoon before the last train
load of weary passengers was pulled slowly into
the Camden and Atlantic station. Then
the announcement was made that no
trains would leave tonight and prob
ably none tomorrow, and the hundreds of
visitors had no alternative except 10 seek the!r
hotels, which they now did with as much eager-
ness as they had hurried to the trains III the
morning.
The most disappointed people at the Camden
and Atlantic and West Jersey station were the
members OF the legal fraternity, reporters and
others who were eager to get TO Mays Landing
in tho oroff ba lllppf farm Of
court which doubly interesting because of
the Hamilton case The train was to leave at
"a. m, but the railroad officials declared 1t off
until IL o'clock. AT that hour Judge Reed put
in appearance and, after learning from the
railroad officials of the delay of the other trains,
promptly postponed court until the following day.
As all communication with Mays landing
cut 9ff, nothing could be learned of what trans
notorious Mrs. Hamilton spent the day.
All day the guests at the ocean-front hotels
were in n state of anxious dread The previous
of them and they lay on their couches or paced
their floors and listened to the deafening
roar of the ocean and the ghoulish noises of the
hurricane in momentary fear of some awful
calamity. The thought of spending another night
in such close proximity TO the unneryed
them, and as night again approached and the storm
preparations to leave their sea-environed hostel
ries THE appalling work of destruction wrought
right before their eyes by the high tide in the
morning also fresh in their minds and caused
them to turn deaf ear to the assurances OF
safety given by their hosts. SO there was
stampede to the Atlantic-ave. hotels. and ere tho
shades of night had fallen the big ocean.frOnt
hotels were deserted and the Atlanticave. houses.
notably the Mansion, filed to Overfowng.
The demand fos vehicles was so urgent that as
high as s25 was offered for a trip not exceeding
two blocks. 1t no unusual sight TO a
man worth millions hurrying along the streets
with valise in his hand and a baby pressed to
his breast, while close beside or behind him was
his elegant wife similarly burdened. There was
no time for any nonsense or formality. The
great aim of all was personal safety.