Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-19
ExCURSiONiSTS WRECKED
It Was Wonderful That So Many Es-
capped.
Collision ut East Aurora, N.Y., Due to Care
lessness-The Cars Catch Fire-Heroic
Act OF an Injured Flagman.

BUFFALO, NY, July 19-The excursion
train carrying the Sunday schools of Bethany
and Bethlehem churches of Buffalo, on the
Western New York and Pennsylvania railroad,
was wrecked at East Aurora at 7:45 O'Clock last
night One man was fatally injured and four
teen or moro others, old and young, more or
less seriously hurt. On account of the lack Of
facilities the full details Of the wreck were not
obtaiuable until after midnight
The accident ia one Of the most remarkable
in the history Of railroad wrecks Two engines
were crushed in masses Of twisted steel and
lying in the bottom of the turntable, 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 in
Jury il almost miraculous.
As near 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
locomotive to the turntable preparatory to
heading 1t toward the city for the morning trip.
The switch was left open, as the engineer in
tended taking his engine out on the main track
and back to the siding for the night. Just be-
yond the turntable is q sharp curve and beyond
that the track rises in heavy grade.
The excursion train rounded the curve and
saw the danger, but it was too late to stop his
train and it piled into the pit, on top Of the en-
Rine already upon the table. The baggage car
and the first two coaches we're a complete
wreck.
The scene in the wrecked coaches was almost
understandable, the women and children being
thrown under and over the seats and through
the windows. cut with flying splinters, broken
limbed and bruised. Then the cars took fire
from the engines, but this additional horror
was averted by the prompt action Of the village
fire department
Citizens rushed to the rescue and doctors
were summoned from this city.
The injured we're speedily relieved and upon
the arrival of q special car bearing surgeons
were given all possible attention.
There one act that came very near being
heroic. Bob Hanson fagman of the excursion
train, was thrown from the baggage car and
received broken arm and crushed side.
Despite his severe injuries he seized his flag
aud ran up the track toward a freight trnin
coming down the grade. He achieved his pur-
pose but after that was done he fell fainting
beside the track, where he was found an hour
afterward.
The list Of the seriously injured is as follows
Harry Sauer, both legs broken. The splin-
tered bone broke through the flesh and it was
necessary to cut away a large piece Of the thigh
to properly set the limb.
Arthur Sauer. leg broken and seriously
Fannie Whitmer. cut about feet and legs and
bruised otherwise seriously.
Willie Whitmer, her ten-year-old brother,
legs badly crushed and severe cuts about head.
George Ferguson, cut on face and seriously
bruised internally.
Mrs. Murphy. cut on face and shoulder. Her
two children were badly bruised and cut, but
not seriously.
Nellie stessle. Leg crushed and head cut.
possibly skull fractured.
Mrs. Robert Hood, legs badly injured and
cut about face. The others suffered sprained
ankles and other slight injuries. The train
bearing those who escaped and those who could
be moved reached this city soon after mid
night
A thorough investigation Of the causes Of the
wreck will be made today.
Fireman Norris, whose skull was thought to
be fractured, is found to have only sustained a
severe scalp wound and some slight bruises.
He was badly stunned and this led to the report
that his injuries were serious. He was well
enough to be brought to this city this morning.
a Serious Freight Wreck.
WORCESTER, MASS. July ia serious
freight wreck occurred about 2 o'clock this
morning on the Boston and Albany road,
near the Ashland station. An inward freight
broke apart near that station, and the
engineer, discovering the accident, went
back to pick up the rear part Of his train. A
freight train that was following ran into the
few that had broken from train No. /.
The locomotive Of train No. 2 was smashed
and some of the cars were piled up.
About this time outward Boston freight
came along and crashed into the first wreck
The locomotive was somewhat damaged. The
tracks were blocked for some time. So far a.
learned no persons wore injured.