Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-07-20

Press Dispatch by special Wires
BuFFALo, N. ", July 19.-The excursion
train carrying the Sunday-schools of Beth
any aud Bethlehem Churches of Buffalo,
on the Western New York 4 Pennsylvania
railroad was wrecked at East Aurora, at
7.s5 lo'clock last night. One man was
fatally injured and Is or 20 others, old aud
young, more or less seriously hurt.
Owing to the lack of facilities for COM
munication. the full details of the wreck
were not obtainable until after midnight.
The accident IL one OF the most remark
able in the history of railroad wrecks.
Two engines were crushed into masses of
twisted steel, and lying in the bottom of
the turn-table, were covered with timbers,
broken glass and iron of the first two
coaches. These coaches were filled with
excursionists and that they escaped with
no more serious injury is almost miracu-
lous.
As near as can be learned, the accident
was due to carelessness. The evening local
train from Buffalo to East Aurora had just
pulled into the station. where it stopped.
Engineer Holland had taken his locomo-
tive to the turn.table. preparatory to head
ing it toward the city for the morning trip.
The switch was left open as the engineer
intended taking his engine out on the main
track and back to the siding for the night.
Just beyond the turn-table Is sharp curve
and beyond that the track rises in heavy
grade.
The excursion train rounded the curve
and came down the grade. Engineer
Ramsbury saw the danger, but it was too
late to stop his train and it piled into the
pit on top of the engine already upon the
table. The baggage car and the first two
coaches were complete wreck.
The scene in the other coaches was al
most indescribable, men, women and chill
dren being thrown under and over the
seats and through the windows, cut with
flying splinters, limbs broken and bruised.
I Then the cars took lire from the engines,
but this additional horror was avoided by
f the prompt action of the village fire de-
Il partment.
A Citizens rushed to the rescue and doctors
were summoned from this city. The in
iured were speedily removed, and upon
the arrival OF special car bearing sur
geons were given all possible attention.
There was one act that came very near
being heroic. Rob Hanson. hagman of
the excursion train. was thrown from the
baggage car and received broken arm
and crushed side. Despite his severe in
luries he seized his flag and ran up the
track to warn freight train coming down
the grade. He accomplished his purpose
but after that was done he fell fainting be
side the track, where he was found an houl
afterwards.
Jack Norris, the fireman of the excursion
train, was the most seriously hurt. Hi,
head struck a telegraph pole and his skull
was fractured. The list of the seriously
injured is as follows:
Harry Sauer, both legs broken; tn,
splntered bone broke through the hesl
and il was necessary TO cut away a larg,
piece from the thigh, in order TO properl,
set the injured limb.
Arthur Sauer, leg broken and seriou
bruises and cuts about the face.
Fannie Whitmer, cut about feet and leg
and bruised otherwise, seriously.
Willie Whitmer, her l0.years-old brother
legs badly crushed and severe cuts abou
the head.
George Ferguson, cut on face and seri
ously bruised internally.
Mrs. Murphy, cut on the face. Her tw,
children were badly bruised and cut, blu
not seriously.
M Nellie Stessel, leg crushed and head cut
N possibly skull fractured.
s Mrs. Robert Hood, legs badly iniure,
and cut about face.
The others suffered sprained ankles an
g5 other slight injuries. The train bearin
those who escaped and those who could b
moved reached this city soon after mid
R night.