The morning call., 1893-01-22


James MuIlane.
All of those who were fatally injured
we're burned about the head and body. The
others injured are: w. c. Harrison of
Wann, Henry Pennington of Wann. Louis
Deneave of Montreal, Canada, Henry Pill
grim Of Alton. Joseph Lutterclle of Alton,
William Z. Richardson of Alton, Herman
Estke OF Alton. Frank Bartlett OF Bran
ford. Canada. Hameltine Salentine Of Pnila-
dephia, Chas. Hammond of Alton Junction
B. MeDhaus, Pat O'Meara, 2. b. Jobe
Charles Harris. John Burke, John Seiser,
EDhralm Richardson, John Finley. John
MePike. Evan Caldwell
The Southwestern limited is due at Wann
at S:45 A. NJ. There are no sidetraeks there,
but about half mile beyond, at Alton
junction, there are several switches. The
tender Of these switches is Z. Grattan by
name. and upon him is laid the blame by
railway officials and trainmen fer the
tragedy. and the officers are now searching
for him, as he fled during the excitement
following the dual accident
The passenger train reached Wann twelve
minutes late, and at Alton Junction was
running at the rate Of forty miles an hour,
the engineer being desir0us of making up
the lost time. The switch was so turned as
to send the flying train on to one of the
sidetracks. On this track were seven tank
cars filled with refined lubrlcating oil. The
engineer called TO the fireman, Dick White,
to jump for his life. He then reversed the
engine and applied the airbrake, but he was
too late, and the engine crashed entirely
through two Of the tank cars, splitting them
in haf and then fnrQad antiraIu ovar tho
others.
The oil from the wrecked tanks at once
caught fire aud sea of flames instantly
surrounded the engineer, VINO had jumped
just as the pilot of the engine struck the
first tank. The brave man struggled to the
embankment at one side of the track, but as
soon as he reached 1t he sank to the earth
crisp and blackened corpse. The fireman
escaped with slight bruises.
The engineers action in reversing the
engine and applying the brakes sackened
the speed Of the train sufficiently TO prevent
any serious injury to the passengers, of
which there were about sixty. Ia the bag
gage-car the mails. eleven pieces of baggage
and one man was all burned in few mo-
ments. The flames spread to the other
coaches and all were soon in ruins Three
oil tanks, together with the engine and
tender, were also consumed.
The passengers and villagers crowded
around the burning wreck anxious to assist.
if possible any unf0rlunates who might be
In need of help.
At this time the elimination OF the'awful
affair occurred. Two tank cars left unin-
jured by the engine, simultaneously and
with fearful force exploded. throwing pieces
Of their iron sides out into the adjacent
fields and showerng upon the assembled
crowd OF slghtseerS a mass of flaming liquid.
For a second after the noise of the explo-
sion there was no sound save the swish of
the seething oil as 1t was forced through
the air. Then there arose confusion OF
agoniZing appeals for help and cries OF ter
ror to which no tongue or pen could do JUS
tice For several minutes there was a panic
indescribabe. Those touched by the blaz-
ing oil grOped about wildly, seeking in vain
relief from their torture. Almost without
exception, the injured were burned about
the face and had their eyesight temporarily
if not permanently destroyed.
Those who were uuinjured were so terror
stricken as TO be unable 20 assist their less
fortunate companions for some time. At
last hastily improvlsed litters were formed
ana willing hands tenderly carried the dead
and injured to Wann, where they were
placed 10 the depot until relief train could
be brought to the scene.
Word was dispatched to Alton by courier,
the heat having melted the telegraph wires.
10 have train made up and send for the
wounded. Wien the train bearing the
dead and wounded reached Alton great
crowds gathered and heartrendiDg scenes
were witnessed when sobbing women rec
ognzed among the dead some relation or
friend.
The scenes in the hospital rooms where
the wounded were removed, was most
pathetic. The dirty oil-soaked rags were
cut away from their bodies. and the knife
laid bare the horrible work OF the burning
oil. Their hands and faces were all scorched
and bleeding their lips swollen and dis
t0rted, and their eyes either burned out or
fiame-eaten aud incrusted with blood and
dust. The hands OF many were burned to
crisp, their fingers missing and their arms
broken. Several victims, when uncovered,
we're found to be without cuticle, the flames
having cooked and burned it until it clung
to their clothing in removal, or fell away Of
Its own accord,
Soon by each bed. with anxious tear
stained head and disheveled appearance,
were gathered relatives and friends whis-
pering words OF comfort into dying ears,
sobbing words of cheer that half choked
their utteranee.
Later the second train of victims arrived
from Wann with four more bodies and the
same scenes were enacted. Several OF the
injured constantly begged to be killed that
they might be freed from pain.
"Ob, Pm blind" moaned one. 81 feel
that my eyes are gone. Oh, could stand
all-everytling-but to be without eyes.
That's too much. Iwant to die! want to
diel'
Then loving mother bowed low over
the moaning form and hurried her tear