The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-01-11
THE CAISSON DISASTER.
TWO MORE VICTIMS ADDED TO
THE LIST.

Bodies OF Several of the Unfortunates
Recovered-Evidenc of a Terrible
Struggle for Life-Tragic Story of a
Survivor-No Hope for the Rntombed
Men
LOUISVILLE, KY, Jan. 10.-At 1880
o'clock this morning the bodies Of three of
the unfortunate victims Of the caisson ac-
cident were recovered by the workmen.
The positions in which they were found
showed that a desperate struggle had taken
place at the narrow door of escape.
One negro had succeeded in pulling his
body through the aperture, but death had
overtaken him just when life was prom
ised Another negro had crawled partly
through. His hands were fastened by
death in the clothing of the negro in front
of him.. showing that he had died
in desperate endeavor to escape first.
Between the two negroes was the body of a
white man. 1t appeared from his position
that he was trying to push back some one
who was clinging to his legs.
wEDGED IN BY THE SAND.
The sand accumulated at the door by the
sudden sinking of the caiSson had wedged
in the body of a white man in such a
manner that it could not be recovered.
AT 12:40 O'clock a. M. work was discon-
tinued in order to allow the workmen to
rest and refresh themselves. Later fresh
force was put on duty and work renewed.
Abe Taylor, one of the negro laborers
who survived the terrible catastrophe, was
found at his home on Preston street by a
reporter. He had not entirely recovered
from the fright incident to his late expe-
riepce, and his voice trembled as he told
what happened at the bottom of the river.
TAYLoR's STORY.
Gas near as can remember" he said,
"there were eighteen of US who went down.
Some of us had candles in our hands and
others carried tools we worked with. The
engine was pumping air into the caisson.
We were not thinking of danger, and didn't
have any idea that there was a weak point
in the casing. We were talking and
running on with each other just
as we always do. Somebody said we would
be relieved in about two hours, and replied
that L wished it was now.
GAVE WAY ALL AT ONCE.
81 looked to see how near the caisson was
to the sand bottom. was standing close to
the little door when [ heard somebody
say, Great God, men, she
is breakingr Just then the water COM
menced to rush through the shell doors, and
IL Seelu6u as IL every CullS gave way dG
once. / broke for the door. hardly knew
how 1 did it, but managed to get
through. The men behind me were
rushing and tumbling over each
other, and could hear them crying, We're
lost, 'help', help; my God, save us.
Badly frightened as l was, l couldn't help
but pity them. 1 could do nothing for
them so | helped myself. / could hear the
water rushing in on the poor fell
lows as 1 climbed up through
the man-hole, but their cries sounded louder
than the roar of the water. got out safely,
and thanked God for my deliverance. l
never will forget that awful sight as long as
hve.p
NO CHANCE TO ESCAPE.
Taylor was asked if he thought that by
any possible means the men could live until
help reached them.
mo, sir; they couldn't live. The water
is running faster than all the engines can
force it out. There isn't any way for them
to escape"
Further investigation shows two more
men have lost their lives, Hamilton Morr is
and Lewis Cox, making the total sixteen.
EFFORTS GIVEN UP.
The efforts to recover the bodies in the
bridge caisson, by pumping in air, have
been given up, and in the morning men will
be sent by an excavating shaft. 1t is hoped
that the thirteen remaining bodies will be
got out, and the inquest will be held at once.
The body of Hamilton Morris was recov-
cred in the pipe of the sand boring ma
chinery, which broke to-day.