Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-06-01
THIRTEEN VICTIMS.
An Interesting Story by One Of the
Passengers.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE DEAD.
1t is Hoped that the Roll of the
Dead May Not be Increased
Incidents.
tsrEcIAb DISPATCHES TO THE REooRD-us1os.l

ESPECIAL DISPATCHES TO THE REcoRD-UNIoN.]
San FRANCISCO, HAY 31st-The first re.
ports published yesterday of the terrible
disaster at Webster street bridge, Oakland
were naturally somewhat exaggerated, be-
cause of confusion, excitement and state
ments more or less contradictory. Details,
resulting from careful investigation, show
that fewer lives were lost than first re-
ported, but the sudden plunge from the
bridge, and the struggle for life in the close
car constitute catastrophe that will long
make the memorial holiday in Oakland
and this city more memorable.
Statements of many persons seem to es-
tabiish these facts of the disaster: The ILL
fsted train left the Alameda wharf depot
about 1:37 o'clock, taking passengers bound
for Oakland who had left this side by the
narrow. gauge ferry steamer at Ills P. NJ.
The train consisted of three cars, all well
filled.
There are usually four cars at that time
OF day, but all the narrow-gauge cars that
could be pressed into service were taken
early in the morning for excursions to San
Jose and beyond. The train engineer,
Sam Dunn, was an experienced man, but
new on that run. Some of the passengers
say the train sped along the trestle toward
Oakland at the rate of forty miles an hour.
Bridge-tender Dunlap at the crossing of
the estuary had just let the yacht Juanita
go through the draw.
He says his red danger flag was placed
q Q 7ol No 49, h. IL
train. AS usual, also, he expected the
train to slow down and if necessary to
stop until he had closed the draw and re-
moved the flag. The train Stacked its
speed some, but did not stop. The bridge
had only about five feet yet to move when
the engine ran along and off into the
water, dragging the tender and first car-a
combination smoking and day coach
with it.
The middle and last cars remained
above, the last car on the track, the middle
car being tipped down slightly. Its wheels
caught in the timbers of the bridge and the
air brakes, setting automatically, by rea-
son of the break forward, also kept these
cars from going down. One explanation
why the train did not come to full stop
before reaching the draw is that the air.
brakes failed to work. This, as well as in
4oA2g ACfoAdihS tAC COuSplCuOuSu6SS OI Lie
danger signal claimed to have been shown,
will be matters for the closest official in
vestigation.
TIE SCENE OF THE DISASTER.
The streets leading to the scene of the
accident were crowded this morning by
curious people anxious to have glimpse
OF the half-submerged car, which was the
only thing to indicate that anything out of
tho hal IT.
bank of the creek on the side nearest
Alameda was jammed by sight-seers, and
there must have been over thousand PEG.
pie on the drawbridge.
The crowd began to gather almost before
daybreak, the bridge-keeper said, and it
constantly increased in size until at noon
there were probably three or four thousand
people, all with gazes fixed intently on
the car which had so lately been such a
death.trap.
The presence of so many people on the
drawbridge and trestlework made it in
cumbent that the utmost care be exercised
during the frequent passing of the trains.
The bridge-keeper and Waterman were
fearfully harrassed by the seeming care
lessness OF large number of the specta-
tors.
On the approach of a train some would
d
passage, bat by far the greater number
would continue their stare at the car in the
water, as though there was peculiar fas-
cination exercised by the wrecked vehicle
which 1t was impossible for them to over
come. Just as the engine was almost on
them, they would start suddenly and
scramble tor place of safety alongside the
track.
There viii be another accident here be-
fore the Gay is over" was a remark fire.
quently heard, and from the foolhardy con-
quot OF the biggest portion Of the crowd, it
would seem as if there is great likelihood
of the prophecy being fulfilled.
For time The spectators were content to
simply sit and gaze at the car, or that much
OF II as could be seen. But when an engine
and gang OF men arrived with coils of i'm.
mense rope and heavy chains and pulleys,
new interest was added.
After considerably difficulty chain ca
bic was made fast to the coupling of the
car. Great hawsers were then passed
through large block, one end fastened to
the cable and another to the engine Ii was
with intense interest that the signal to start
was awaited. At last it was given, and the
locomotive slowly started. The hemp
ropes gradually became rigid as the slack
was taken up.
At length the car gave slight lurch as it
was drawn from its resting. place in the
mud, and moved slowly up the sloping
beach toward the shore. When the blocks
were drawn together the engine was backed
up and a new fastening made. Another
start was made and once more the bulky
car started on its short journey to the shore.
When the water was just about even with
the bottom of the windows the immense
strain psrted the cable, and the car partially
settled back in its old bed. Some time was
in making another fastening,
when the work of hauling out the car
again went forward. As far as could be
ascertained there were no bodies in the car.
Nearly gil the small boys and idle men
in Oakland were ON the watch for more
bodies this morning but were unsuccessful
in finding any.
A rUmor that three more bodies had been
found gained ground rapidly, but was soon
exploded.
THE LIST OF THE DEAD.
The dead have been identified as follows:
Mrs. Mary Jane 0'Connor, of sol Van
Ness avenue, this city Mrs. 0'Connor was
the widow of Bryan 0'Connor, of the dry
goods firm of 0'Connor & Moffatt. She was
q native OF Rathkell, Ireland, her maiden
name being Costello. She has three
DioiuSIS 4lf4HS, one DeliIS at faTalSO
Springs. another at New York, while the
third is United States Engineer, being
stationed st Cincinnati
Nellie kearns and Katie Kearns were
daughters of Mrs. Ellen Kearns, living at
$50 Eddy street, this city. The two little
girls were on their way to visit sister in
the Sacred Heart Convent, Oakland.
II. s. Austin was q member OF the firm
of Austin & Phelps, successors to Thomas
Il. Selby d Co. Mr. Austin resided at 7l2
Grove street, in this city.
Miss Florence Austin was the daughter
of the above; the other daughter, Miss
Mary, escaped. The young ladies were
staying at Santa Cruz for the season, and
were home for days visit.
Martin Kelly resided at 796 Van Ness
Avenue, this city. He was very promi-
nent in politics, having served two terms
as Senator for the Twelfth District. At The
tiae Of his death he was in The employ of
the Board Of Harbor Commissioners ms AS
sisiani Chief &asrfnser. Mr.. Kelly Was
about Foresight years oil age.
Captsin Thomas Dwyer, who was in
company with Mr.. Kelly, was ore Of the
most prominent citizens OF Sacramento.
For a numoer of years he has been Presi-
osnt OF The San Joaquin Navigation Com
pany, ard at mis- death was President Of
the Sacramento Transportation Company.
Luigi Malstesta was wholesale liquor
desler a, 81 and 3l3 Pacific street, ana re.
sided al 2o0il Dupont street.
a. n =