The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-09-20
A TRAINS FATAL PLUNGE.
TT GOES THROUGH A BRIDGE
IN MASSACHUSETTS,.

The Locomotive Got Across Saicly-
Eut Four Wagner Cars Plunged
Into the Stream-Many Persons
Killed or Tnju:ed--The Scene at
the Wreck.
The Chicago limited express train for Bos-
ton broke through frail iron bridge on the
Bos; or and Albany Railroad one mile and 4
half east of Chester, Mass, at noon. and
four Wagner cars were crushed, killing four.
teen 0. fifteen persons. fatally iniuring seve-
ral others, while at least twenty were badly
hurt. The wreck is the worst ever known
on the road. The bridge was being strength
ened FOR the big locomotives. and the work
inSn,en who were putting on the plates We're
at dinner when the crash came. The loco
motive passed over the structure, but was
smashed. the water tank being throwna 4 long
distance.
The buffet car. two sleepers and dining
rar were smashed to kindling wood when
they struck the stream twenty feet below.
bur Two day coaches and smoker in the
GEAR did not leave the track. The dead ara
Miss Emma Delery, Columbus. Ohio; NJ.
c. Ives, Chicago, T. Everett SedSewick.
Palmer, express messenger: James McMas-
ters. Springfield, brakeman J. H. Murray,
Greenbush. N. Y. baggage master, George
Fl. Morse Boston, Wagner car conductor j.
C. Stackpole, Hartford. Conn. r. c. Hitcn-
cock. Bellows Falls, VT. J. E.. De Witt
Portland, Me-, President of the Union Mu-
qua, Life Insurance Company: Thomas
Kelly. Boston. blanket manufacturer
Miss Susie Cutting. Boston; Mrs. Q. Blsh-
4am, Philadelphia Mrs. j. S. Wlncnell'
oneida. v. Y; unknown woman. PLAINLY
dressed, apparently about twenty-five yors
VI age.
Several of the wounded were hurt so seri-
nsly il was thought they would die.
The train was seven minutes late ut Ches-
hr. and the railrol Id hands say 1t was going
at the rate OF twenty miles an hour when 1t
struck the first of the two spans across the
Wes. field River The locomotive seemed to
leap across the bridge, as the trusses col
taps d and fell over TO the south.
The bridge was built in 1874. 1t was a
wo-span lattice structure 22l feet long: IL
stretched across the west branch OF the West
field River.
The ill-fated train was one Of the fastest
expresses on the road, stopping only at
Pittsfeld in its run from Albany. n. y, to
Sprngfield, Mass. 1t carries the largest
engine and best cars OF any train running
west OF Springfield.
The scene Of the accident IS but short
distance below Chester, and IS just below
fno St6ep PEduo SoihS Ny INV
Word was carried to the village promptly,
and the people did their best to care Tor the
injured.
Two wrecking trains left Springfield i'm
mediateIy after the accident. On the second
train were Medical Examiner BrecS and Dr.
Seely.. of Springfield.
SUPERINTENDENT Cone, Of Chester, who has
cha-.e Of the mountain division OF the road,
took charge of the wreck. and with the as
sistatce OF the extra engines and section
hands did much toward clearing away the
wreck beforethe arrival OF the wreckers from
Sprn-Hald, The physicians OF Huntington
arriv ID on the scene and did much to relieve
the su Terings of the injured.
The heroes Of the work Of rescue were Doc
tor Gorge L. Wood. Of Collinsville. who
went TO tho train to meet his wife. and the
colored porters and walters in the dining car.
Although their faces were bruised and cut
and covered with blood. they did splendid
wor!s.
The hospital was group OF apple trees IN
an adjoining orchard. where scores were
taken. Ok teams arrived with loads OF
straw. cushions, bedding and food. The
wounded were soon removed to the houses
OF n. A. Harwood, Washington Moore and
J. c. Crocker, and all that remained On the
appie-strewn ground were thireen bodies
covered with red blankets from IN adjoining
stable.
The dead were many of them horribly mu-
tilated, heads crushed in, limbs torn, ana
often oaly recognizable from the clothing.
The injured were conveyed In speclai
train to Boston