The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-01-25
DEATH TO THIRTY PEOPLE.
THE AWFUL RECORD OF AN
Accident on the Big -Four Railroad at
Alton Junction Caused by an
Open Switch.

At the Alton Function, Alton ILL.,, on
Saturday, 80 people were either killed out.
right or fatally injured and many Others
badly hurt, by the fast express running into
an open switch and colliding with a freight
train. TO add to thelhorror an oil tank car
exploded, setting fire to the wreckage and
burning up unfortunate passengers pinned
fast to the debris.
The list of dead is as follows:
Webb Ross, Mattoon, Ills; Hirman Cor.
nelius Iowa; Edward n. Miller, Alton,
Junction, two unidentified mem William
Wann, ill.,; Willie McCarty, Alton, iii.;John
Locke. Alton; Edward Maurin, Alton;
Daniel Harer. Alton Junction; William
Mantle, Fosterburg, ILL.,. Charles UT, Alton;
William II. Miller Alton; Charles Harris
Alton; John Wilkinson, Alton.
or the injured, IL cannot recover. They
are Otto Iiagewan, Alton John Frod, Alton;
Joseph Hermann, Alton; Henry Pilgrim
Alton; John Luttell, Alton; William b.
Richardson, Alton; A. r. Frazer, ST. Louis
Frank Barth, Brantiord, Canada; Frank
scully, Alton. John Burke, Alton, William
Miller Alton junction; - Murray, Upper
Alton - Rotoii Upper Alton.
those WHO sustained serious injuries, but
who will probably recover are; Mrs. A. L.
Willon and child, Kansas City; Henry Wig
gins, Alton Junction George Staples, Alton
Junction. John Pike. Alton; Herr Musk Al.
ton; Irene McCaldwell, Alton; LOUIS Deufe
Montreal; Henry Staples, Uniontown, KY:
- Montgomery. Alton: Dalton Harris, Al
ton Junction.; Frank Barton, Stamford
Ont; Louis Mcintosh, Alton Junction;
William Mcintosh, Alton Junction; John
Henry, Alton Junction; John Nonahan
East 81. Louis James Mullane, Alton juno.
ton; Charles Harris. Alton; W. c. Harris,
Alton; Pamentine Valentine. Philadelphia:
Charles Hamilton. Alton Junction; r. Men.
hans, Alton; Pat O'Meara Alton; y. B. Job,
Alton; John Seister, Alton; Ephram Rich
nrdson, Alton; John Finley Alton; John
McPlke, Alton; Evan Caldwell, Alton; Pa
rick Finley, Alton Charles Crow, Alton
Beside these there are more than score
who sustained injuries of more or less ser.
ious nature, whose names could not be
learned. All the dead were burned to death
by the flaming oil. Of the fatally injured
all are more or less seriously burned about
the limbs and body, but the worst injuries
sustained are feariully burned hands and
faces. Many are also injured internally,
from inhaling the flames, which scorched
and parched their throats to such an extern
that their escape from instant death is al.
most miraculous.
SCENES OF AWFUL SUFFERING.
The scenes in the wards occupied by the
injured are heartrendng. Lying on cots
swathed i'll cotton and bandages until they
almost lose sem mbiance 10 human beings, and
surrounded by weeping relatives and sorrow
ing friends, they form picture that brings
tears to the eyes of even the physicians.
The meanings of The patients are piteous.
Every few moments some tortured soul,
writhing in agony, half rises from his couch
and then falls back, suffering more intense
pain than before Seeming 10 know by in
tuition when the physician is near them,
they beg piteonsly 10 be relieved from their
pain. Doctor, for Gods sake kill me and
put me out of this misery" SAID one. "Oh,
for even an instant's relief from this mis-
cry" said another.
Perhaps the most pitful sight of all was
that of l3.year old Willie McCarty. Sitting
on his bedside, trying in vain by gentle
words and soothing caresses while her voice
trembled with the grief that was breaking
her heart was his mother. The boys flesh
was cooked from head 10 foot His eyes
were burned out, the skin had peeled off his
face and head, taking with il large portions
of flesh. The only response the anxious
mother received to her inquiry as TO how he
felt was "Oh my head Doctor, why don't
| die"
No trace has been found Of the runaway
switchman, Richard Grattan, through
whose careessness the accident occurred. A
rumor that he had returned to his work this
morning proved TO be unfOunded, and il is
thought he has gone for good
The total loss to the company will he be
tween sl25, 900 and $4,000. Ii includes the
engine, ombination baggage and bufle, car
and 20 oil tanks and freight cars and thci
contents.