Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-04-30
BROKEN ENGINE AXLE
Thought to Hare Caused the Hamilton
Horror.
Tho CoIoners Inquest.
Scenes at the Wreck.
HANIlroN. Ont. April .

HANIlroN, Ont. April 90.
| Grand Trunk workmen in shifting the re
mSins of the wreck late this afternoon in or
der TO give the eoroner's jury distinct iies
of the layout OF the tracks at the scene OF
yesterdays accident, discovered ~hx, va.
without doubt the cause of the disaster One
OF the sIles of the engine was found broken.
Ii hal been pitched into the mud and water
aud was also some~ hat burned 90 il was i'm.
possible 10 tell by examining the broken ends
whether there ~ss n fs~ in the steel From
the position in which the engine Law after
the unge into the water tank it is certain
the axle was not broken by being struck by
anything either At the time of or immediate
ly after the first crash.
The tender of the engine WAS thrown to one
side and got the full weight of ten cars from
behind which caused them to pitch into a
heap. The jury seemed TO be of the opinion
that broken axle caused the accident In
order TO get more light upon the sLhjs sct. W
Robinson. an expert in iron and steel
working as in locomotive engineering. w,s
appointed 10 make an inspection. The in.
quest adjourned I'LL "Wednesday night next.
Chief Clerk Wallace swore that reports
showed the train TO be ten minutes late at
Dundss and instead of trying to gain time
the train had really lost. The wheels were
examined at Paris, twenty five miles from
the scene of the disaster.
Coroner Woolv,rton inspected the charr, d
remains very closely. and SAYS he is sure that
there is not the remains of is persons among
them. Thinks II would be the right mum
Der, IL at the outside. which will make At the
most 10 deahs from the accident Most of
them were killed instantly, and the remains
h,.rt Il. ~
doing well in the Hamilton hospital
sickenins Particulars OF tho Crash.
No correct account can be obtained of the
scene that followed the terrible crash last
night from the survivors. Amid escaping
steam and binding rain the screams of the
injured arose from the awful mound of
drbris. The survivors worked like heroes
end IN short time removed about dozen
wounded from the wreck, The flames
leaped out, driving back the already half
stiied rescuers. Above the noise of escap-
ing steam could he heard frenzied voices
shrieking in the burning ruins A womsn's
voice rose high above the rest for few mo-
ments, screaming with pain and then WAS
stlled. The fire department of this city WAS
sent for and responded.
were so far extingushed as to permit II
search being made for bodies When the
heap of black ashes filled with cushion
springs and irons was turned over, body
after body WAS found, blackened and charre1
out of all semblance to humanity. Seven
teen in all were picked out during the after
noon. One through passenger, who did not
give his name related that " hen the accident
happened he crawled out and ran forward to
assist those imprisoned in the wreck. The
first cry he heard was from a woman Bend
ing over the debris he saw young girl with
one leg out of car window. She told him
she was caught BY the other. lie made ef
forts to release her.
The flames spread rapidly to where she
was and forced him back. The moans of
the vlcum grew fainter and at length
ceased. A. j. Carpenter, a passenger from
lankton, OAK, on his way to Riehfeld
Springs, n, Y, said was on the smoker
when the first shock occurred. In the
smoker were about IS persons. was
thrown forward in the car and two men fell
on top Of me. One had his legs caught fast
III the timbers. got out from under him
and with the aid of the frem an 20, him out
Just as the flames reached him. We had a
very close call. The loss on the rolling stock
is nearly $4,000.