, 1891-12-05
BURDICK'S CLOSE CALL.
The State Auditor Narrowly Es-
capes a Horrible Death.
One of the Passengers on a Tele-
scoped Ohio Train.
He Sustains Severe Injuries But
Will Soon be All Right.

mornings since 1t published az account,
sent out by the associated press of an ap-
palling railroad wreck in the suburbs of
Toledo, D.
The Boston and Chicago east bound
passenger train on the Lake Shore &
Michigan s Juthern was run into by the
Flint & Pere Marquette express. and one
coach of the former train in which day
passengers were riding was completely
telescoped. At that time the associated
press only announced the death of five
persons. Since. however. the death roll
has increased wonderfully, seventeen hav-
ing died.
An account of the horrible wreck will
rave a particular interest for the readers
Of THE LEADER because Of the TACT that
State Auditor Burdick was one of the
passengers. MIR. Burdick's experience is
hest told in his own words. which he used
In an interview with a Toledo Commercial
reporter. Here is his story:
Another gentleman has been found
who was a passenger on the Inflated train
and who had a miraculous escape from
death. 1t is Mr.. Charles W. Burdick,
state auditor of Wyoming. who was on
his way to Toledo to visit his parents, Mr..
and Mrs. Leander Burdick of Madison
street. mr.. Burdick was at home tell
ing his folks of the dreadful scenes he
had passed through when a Commercial
reporter called upon hun. He was badly
cut on the head and hands. His injuries
are severe enough to keep him in doors
for several days and he philosophically re-
marked that be is glad that they are no
worse. His wife and child have been in
Toledo for some time and their thankful
ness over his escape can be easily imag-
ined. Mr.. Burdick tells a thrilling story
aud 1t is the best yet related by an occu-
pant Of the coach.
Il took the train at Chicago" said
Mr.. Burdick. and as you may well
believe was anxious to get home. |
became acquainted with several pas
sengers en- route, among them were MIR.
and Mrs. James the actor aud actress. l
was seated a little to the rear Of the center
OF them and they occupied a seat directly
in front of me. Across the aisle was MIR.
Anderson and behind me, perhaps " or
three seats, was Mrs. Mcdonald and her
two children. Thus, you see, they were
very near the end of the coach, and the
first in the path of the locomotive. The
children were bright. quiet and well
behaved, and | guess became acquainted
with most of the passengers. The party
throughout was a pleasant one and I was
enjoying the trip very much.
The sensation | experienced when the
locomotive telescoped the coach is some
thing I cannot possibly describe, and it is
something | sincerely hope never to go
through again. 1t was one great feeling
of horror and confusion and | scarcely
know what / did in the excitement of the
moment. | was instantly penned in
between two seats and for q while | could
not move, while within a foot of me was
the steaming locomotive.
II was dazed and bewildered and msdly
strove to cxtricate myself from my peril
GUS position. The hot steam came from
the locomotive in great volumes and was
burning and sitting me. My desperation
gave me strength and | redoubled my
efforts to got free. | could indistinctly
hear the walls and groans of the sufferers
around me and the sounds caused by
their struggles to gain freedom from their
awful imprisonment. With one final and
distinct effort l wrenched myself tree
and started up the aisle. stumbling over
something, 1 know not what. 1t NAV
have been the body of one of my CON
panions. or something else. shall never
know what it was. Half way up 1 be-
came so choked and blind that | jumped
to q window and battered in the glass. /
must have done it with my bare fists for
they are cut and torn. l plunged through
the window and struck on my head and
hands, also striking some n else who
was there before me. The violent shock
dazed me for a time, but the cold air soon
revived me and | struggled to my feet.
Leaning against some one while | recov-
cred my strength, | saw crowds of men
entering the car and bringing out the
bodies Of my unfortunate companions. 1t
was q grim, terrible sight to me with
my shattered nerves, and | started away
from it carrying with me a sense of hor-
ror that has never left me since. With
great difficulty | managed to reach the
Union depot where I summoned a car
rage and came home. The doctor came
a little while after and fixed me uD q
little and | am now 10 a fair way to get
out In a few days. | have often read OF
railroad accidents but never realized the
horror Of one before. | realize 1t fully
now and fervently hope | may never wit
ness such sights again or undergo a SINH
lar personal experience"
II use Ayers Cherry Pectoral freely in