The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-07-08

ilcHZy, dHu IOE u lew LnOUueuIS d cTuSu
seemed about to add its horrors to the
scene, but cool heads preserved suffi-
cient order to permit all to land safely,
although quite a number were cut and
bruised by breaking the car windows,
in their frenzied haste to escape from
the fire trap. The balance of the train
was then detached from the burning
sleeper and ran ahead out of danger.
Great numbers of the rear car occu-
pants who escaped from the horrible
and grinding of the death
monster that crushed their compan-
ions, were picked up by willing hands
and carried to the depot, and soon the
floors were covered with long rows of
the wounded survivors.
In the darkness and awful excite
ment of the hour, it was impossible to
tell what their injuries were, and this
very uncertainty filled the mind with
fearful dread of what an examina
ton would reveal But gradually one
after another of the survivors recover
ed from the stupor of the dreadful
shock, and here and there would be
seen some one awakening, as it were,
from the dead. and this continued un
til but comparatively few WEIR left.
The scene at the wreck was fright
full one. The ground was covered with
car seats. pieces of timber, and small
baggage of all descriptions, while the
entire north side of the rear car was
lying on the ground where it stood
when struck. Underneath it two bod,
les were found, and to the fact of its
being separated completely from the
car is undoubtedly due the preserva-
ton of many lives.
In the midst of the wreck and car.
mage stood the huge engine with hu.
man bodies pinioned to its hot steam
ing sides, where they were held, to be
roasted to death by the swift advanc.
ing flames. The fire probably origi-
mated from the frebox, headlight, and
lamps. and was unquestionably stimu-
lated to such intensity by the oil being
scattered over the wreckage.
The sleeper was partially overturn-
ed, and within its splintered sides
stood the great locomotive head with
its horrid load of human prey.
1t was nearly six o'clock before the
last body was taken out.
Hundreds of people from neighbor.
ing towns came to view the wreck and
the incoming trains brought many
anxious friends looking for loved ones
not yet heard from.
Most of the injured resumed their
journey on train II. Two of them,
Thomas Hanley and Joseph Mangan,
are still confined to their bed at the
Etna House, but are improving rapidly
The cbarred and mutilated remains
of seventeen bodies were sent to Corn.
ing, the next morning, and their fune-
raj held Sunday.
| Undertakers w. A. Jenkins & Co.
prepared the bodies for burial, and
conveyed them to the depot.
The body of Mamie kennon was
sent to Wilmington, Ohio, Monday
evening,
A large quantity of money and 9th
er valnables was found, and turned
over to Coroner Sherman.
The throng of visitors continued the
entire day.
In the evening the remains of the
wreck, with the ruined sleepers, were
burned by order of the Company, but
all day Saturday and Sunday crowds
of people were constantly going to the
place, and not particle of the debris
and ashes but was thoroughly over.
hauled in the search for relics.
The switches were not blockaded
and trains continued to run without
interruption.
| What the primary cause of the aw
full accident was, is not hard to deter
mine, in our judgment. It seems tc
us that where trains are allowed to
follow each other within five minutes
accidents of this kind are sure 20 fol
low, and the only wonder is that more
of them do not occur.
Below we give the testimony of some
of the passengers and the crews of the
two trains, and it is difficult to place
the responsibility with any one of the
trainmen. That there was gross and
criminal carelessness, needs no asser-
ton, but back of all that, is not the
Company guilty of a great outrage to
the public, in allowing their trains to
be run in such loose, almost system
less manner? The full responsibility
should be placed where it belongs, and
an example made of the party or par
ties, that will be lesson to others for
all time to come.
A heart-rending scene was witness
ed Saturday morning, at the rooms
where the bodies lay. A large number
of relatives and friends came on from
Corning, as soon as they heard of the
accident, aud their weeping and cries
of anguish, on beholding the caskets
that contained the charred remains
were piteous to hear. Fathers and
brothers called for their sons and
brothers, in the wild accents of sud
den bereavement, and strong mer
wept in sympathy with the bereaved
and agonized relatiues. Many earnest
ly begged to see the remains of theil
dear on es, and fresh burden of sor'
row was laid on their stricken hearts
for it was not possible to identify one
from the other.
Friday p. M, Coroner A. M. Sher.
man, of Kent, commenced his inquest
at the Court House.
First witness called was j. R Hinebaugh, OF
Greenville, Pa brakeman on SO He said the
| freight crew consisted of engineer. fireman
conductor, fagman and two brakemen. Don't
| think we left Kent on time. 1t was and pos
sibly more minutes bafore we followeds Wind
was blowing hard not exactly foggy, but hard
to see. When saw signal was in engine cab
1t was 36 or 4 telegraph poles in rear of 8.
climbed back and set three brakes. Nothing
| was said in cab. First saw fagman about
| poles west of depot. Brakes were all good but
| rails were wet and did not work we'll. After