Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1893-10-20

BATTLE CREEK, Mich, Oct. 90
Later-At A o'clock this morning, Just
as dawn was breaking head end col
lision between two passenger trains on
the Grand Trunk railroad occurred, by
which at least twenty five people lost
their lives. Over two score weresin
jured.
The accident occurred near the round.
house in this city. A Raymond g. Whit
comb special Worlds Fair train from
Chicago, with New York, Boston and
other passengers from the East, took
orders here to meet the Pacific express,
due here at 1872 a M, but which was
three hours late, at Nichols.
The train was in charge of Conductor
Scott, of Battle Greek, and Engineer
Woolley. The engineer of the Raymond
special disobeyed orders and passed
Nichols station and collided with the ex.
press coming West. Both trains were
going at the rate of thirty five miles an
hour.
The two great engines ripped into
each other and tore open the boilers
while every part of both engines was
twisted out of shape. The engineers
and fremen of both trains had time to
reverse their engines and jumped.
They escaped without serious injury.
Conductor Burke Of the express was
badly crushed The second and third
coaches on the Pscl6c express were
4 telescoped and in these cars the awful
\ loss of life occurred.
Dragged From "The Unlucky Coach"
The second coach cut through the
third and the roof crashed down upon
the victims. A ere broke out in No. Is
which is called "the unlucky coach
from the fact that it has been in 81
many accidents. Out of this coach tbs
firemen Of the city department who haC
been summoned TO extinguish the fir
dragged
Twenty-Five Dead. mangled and ChHFre
Bodies.
They were pinioned under broke,
seats, jammed up against the end of IL
coach by the next coach, which hs
showed them up to the end of the ca
where fire broke out and there roaste
slowly to death. The fire station was
mile away and before the engines arrive
on the scene the groans and cries of th
victims had ceased and all the freme
could do was put out the fire and secuI
the bodies.
There was no one hurt on the Ra,
mond special Four coaches of th
Pacific express were burned, havin
caught fire from the car lamps. Thei
were thirteen cars in the train
Bodies Can't BE Identified
The bodies of the victims were burne
so badly that they could not be identified
heads. legs or arms were burned off eaC
body Most OF the bodies were four
near the stove, which must also have 81
the woodwork afre.
But One Saved Out of the Thirteen.
In the yards Of the Grand Trunk RoG
were the night yardmen who summont
|g assistance The bodies were gathere
sxtricated quickly as possible aft
the fire started, and taken to the static
house. But one passenger escaped fro
he fatal thirteen without injury. +
got through the doorway. Othe
smashed out the window and climb
through but were cut and bruised badl
Three got out of the debris on the lie
side and six on tue other.
Most of them had arms and le
rushed while blood flowed from doze
{ wounds caused by huge splinters
lass.
Had to BE Roasted Alive.
Mrs. Charles Van Dusen, of Fort Plai
Y, was caught by the legs when hi
a|4I gay out of the window. She hung--th.
hrieking for help while the flames ere
81. bout her. She could not be released.
She was burned TO death before th,
Ryes with one half her body still hangi
rom the :. car window She gave I
8szh anne before death claimed her.
The firemen had to lay 1000. feet
ose from the nearest hydrant bef,