The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-22
IN A SHEET OF FLAMES.
SPECTATORS At a WRECK MEET
WITH An AWFUL DEATH.
While They Look on an Oil Tank Car Ex-
pIodes With Fearful Results--Eight
Instantly Killed-Other Wrecks.

ALTON, ILL, Jan. H.-A bad accident
occurred here to-day on the Chicago and
Alton road. A passenger train dashed into
train OF oil cars, wrecking them and
setting fire to the wreck.
While the great crowd stood watching
the burning wreck an oil tank car ex-
ploded with terrific force enveloplng the
spectators In a sheet Of burning oil.
Eight of them were instantly killed, and
scores were frightfuly burned. dozen
Of whom at least will die. Six bodies
were burned to a crisp and could not be
identified Two were identified as Hiram
Cornelius student of Shurtiiffe College,
from Iowa, and Edward Miller, OF Alton
junction. Twenty-Five people were so
badly burned that the majority VIII pro-
badly die, and the total list embraces
over one hundred A large proportion Oh
the killed and injured are boys ana young
men, students in educational Institutions
What an Eye Witness says.
An eve witness says that the shock
Of the collision was such as 10 spiit t"o
loaded tanks wide open, and the oil I'M
mediately caught fire, the flames shooting
fifty feet into the air. The locomotive ana
baggage cars were totally wrecked but
the remainder Of the passenger tram was
removd beyond reach Of the names III
an incredibly short time the freiSht tram
was a mass Of flames. Fear or an expo
sion prevented any attempt 10 save II.
The wrecking train came up from has'
ST. Louis at II o'clock. but could 90 NJ
tie. and half a dozen switch engines were
run ont from here to clear the yards
Traffic on the two roads was entirely
susnended. and a special train was maue
nm on the Chicago and Alton 10 carry
| the belated passengers through 10 -.
louis Hearing of the wreck, hundrehs
OF people from this city and vicinity were
attracted by curiosity TO the scene
And then occurred one or the Ihos'
awful disasters on record. iew nm
utes passed II there was shsht eApioo
.ion of one tank, which scattereu uie
Debris on all sides setting fire TO lhe
e.on,,o,,ords enclosures. This produced
| the impression that the danger OF eN-
,1osions was passed. and the throng OF
bvstanders rushed in TO save the STOCK
| vards from destruction. A minute idlei
| there was a dcafening report thtt Silool
the earth for half 4 minute ana spredu
| one sheet of seething, burning OIL ll ~
directions. For those within the cltcIe "
| IN wards there was no escape, ln-., -
clothing was burned and Literally lei
| from their bodies. IN q DloihehI 'A
who were not disabled began ruhhiill
hither and thither, waving their haho'
and screaming for help.
Some ran TO the nearest water uWne W
others ran into the 1eIds and are mlssin'
vet. Panic reigned for short time, uhti
the uninjured recovered their presence o
mind TO care for the afflicted. TWO par
rels of linseed oil were taken from a gro
cery store and applied to the wounds o!
several physicians who happened 10 d.
on the ground. AS 50 on as possiDie
train was made up and twenty u IN
sufferers were brought here 10 o'
Joseph's. Webb Ross, the brave englhee
who lost his life, leaves wife ana 81 81
children at Mattoon. No attempt TO u
the blame for the fatal wreck mas pee
made vet, and nothing further VIII D
known until after the investigation
the coroner's jury tomorrow.
Eight passengers were injured. All ex
cent Rclfe and Stern proceeded 10 thei
destination on a special train with othe
belated passengers. The Steelton opera
tor has admitted his carelessness IN al
lowing the second section to enter IN
block.