The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1893-02-02
A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT,
TWENTY PEOPLE BURNED DEATH
ANO OTHERS BADLY HURT.

ANO OTHERS BADLY HURT.
Exoruoiating sufrer1nRs Of tho Injured in
tho HospitaI-Hear -Rending Scenes
The A coident Goused by OIL Tanks Ex
pIodinR,
ALTON, ILL.,, Jan. 2l.-The South
western limited express, west-bound, on
the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and
st. Louis Railroad, due here at 9 O'Clock
this morning ran into an open switch at
Wanna, four miles east of here. The
passenger engine smashed number of
freight cars and oil tanks and set the
wreck aiire. Engineer Ross OF the pas
senger engine was caught In the wreck
and burned TO death. Both trains we're
burned up. Loss 100000.
While the great crowd stood wa itching
the burnding wreck, au oil tank car ex
ploded. with terrific force, enveloping
tue spectators IN q sheet of burning oil
Eight of them were instantly killed and
scores were frightfully burned, dozen
of whom, at least, will die. Six bodies,
burned to crisp, were not identified.
Two were identified, as Hiram Cornelius,
student of Shurtlifle College, from
Iewa, and Edward Miller, of Alton juno
ton, Twenty-Five people were 80 badly
burned that the mjoritY will probably
die, and the total list embraces over one
| hundred. A large proportion of the
killed and injured are boys aud young
men, students in educational insttu.
tions.
An eve witness says that the shock OF
the collision was such as to split two
loaded tanks wide open, aud the OF i'm
medlatelY caught fire, the flames shoot.
ing littJ feet into the air. The locomo-
tive and baggage cars were totally
wrecked, but the remainder of the pas
senger train was removed beyond the
reach OF the flames. In an incredibly
short time the freight train was u mass
OF fla mes.
Fear of an explosion prevented any
attempt to save it. A wrecking train
came up from East ST. Louis at IL
O'Clock, bat could do little, and half a
dozen switch engines were run out from
here TO clear the yards. Traffic on the
two roads was entirely suspended, and
special train was made up on the Chi
cago and Alton to carry the belated pas
! sengers through to st. Louis.
Hearing of the wreck, hundred of pc ,.
| pie from this city and vicinity wore
attracted by curiosity to the scene. and
then occdrred one Of the most awful dis
asters on record. A few minutes past IL
O'Clock there was slight explosion of
one tank, which scattered the debris on
all sides, setting fire TO the stock yards
enclonsre. This produced the impress
sion that the danger of explosions was
passed, and the throng of bystanders
rushed in to save the stock yards from
destruction. A minute later there was
! q deafenlng report that shook the earth
for half minute and spread one sheen
OF sheeting. burning oil ip all directions
For those within circle of 100 yards
there was no escape. Their clothing
was burned and literally fell from their
bodies. In moment those who were
not disabled began running hlther and
thither, Walving their hands and scream.
ing for help. Some went to the nearest
water and others ran into fields md are
missing yet.
a panic reigned for a short time, until
the in niured recovered their presence
of mind TO 9are for the afflicted. Two
barrels Of lnseed oil were taken from a
grocery store and applied to the wounds
by several physicians who happened to
he on the ground. Every household in
the little village and its vicinity was
summoned. AS soon as possible train
was made up and twenty sufferers were
brought here to st, Joscph'e,
Webb Ross, the brave engineer who
lost his life, leaves wife aud six chill
dren at Mattoon.
No attempt TO fix the blame for the
fatal wreck has YET been made, and
nothing further will be known until after
the investigation of the coroner's jury
tomorrow.
ST.. LOUIS, Jan. 22.-Eleven deaths
have been added to the record OF the
catastrope at Alton junction since mid.
night Saturday. OF the injured, four
teen, the hospital physician said, cannot
recover. Oh tho fatally Injured, all are
more or less seriously burned about the
limbs and body, but the most seriously
injured are learlully burned about the
heads and faces. All are injured inter-
naily rom inhaling the burning flames.
The scenes in the wards Of the hos
pital occupied by the injured were even
more heart rending than on yesterday.
Lying on oots, swathed n cotton and
bandages until they have almost lost
semblance TO human beings. ard sur
rounded by weeping relatives and sor.
rowing friends, they formed picture
that brought teurs TO the eyes OF even
the Physicians.
Perhaps the most pitiful sight Of all
was that Of thirteen. year-old Willie Nc
Carly. Sitting on his bedside, trying IN
vain. by gentle words and shooting
caresscG, while her voice trembled with
grief that was breaking her heart, was
his mother. The boys flesh was cooked
from head to foot; his eyes we're burned
out; the skin had peeled of his face and
head, taking with 1t large portions Of
the flesh. The only response the anx ols
mother received TO her inquiry as to
how he felt was: "Oh! my head Doc.
tor, why can't dieF"
All Wont the Same Way.
CINCINNATI, January 25.-Jules
kampc local manager OF the Washington
Life Insurane COMPANY, of New York.