The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-01-22

SlSb II possible any unIOrbunabeS VINO
might be in need of help, and at this time
the elimination of the horrible affair oc-
Cured. Two tank cars left uninjured by
the engine simultaneously and with
fearful force exploded, throwing pieces of
their iron sides out into fields and shower
ing upon the assembled crowd of sight
seers a mass of flaming liquid.
For second after the noise of the ex-
plosion there was no sound save the swish
of the seething oil as it forced through
the air. Then there arose confusion of
agonizing appeals for help and cries OF
terror to which no tongue nor pen can do
justice. For several minutes the panic
was indescribable.
Those touched by the blazing oil CROPPED
about wildly seeking in vain for relief
from torture. Almost without exception
the injured We're burned about the face
and had their eyesight temporarily, if not
permanently, destroyed. Those who
were uninjured were so terror stricken as
to be unable to assist their less fortunate
companions for some time.
Hastily improvised filters were formed
and willing hands tenderly carried the
dead and injured to Wann where they
were placed in the depot until a relief
train could be brought to the scene. Word
was dispatched to Alton by courier, the
heat having melted the telegraph wires,
to have train made up and sent for the
wounded.
When the train bearing the dead and
wounded reached Alton, crowds gathered
and heart rending scenes were witnessed
when sobbing women recognized among
the dead some relation or friend.
The scenes in the hospital rooms where
the wounded were removed were most pa
thetic. Dirty oil-soaked rags were cut
away from the bodies and laid bare
the horrible work of the burning oil.
Their hands and faces all scorched and
bleeding, lips and noses all swollen and
distorted, eyes either burned out or flame
eaten and encrusted with blood and dust.
The hands of many were burned to a
crisp, fingers were missing and arms
broken. Several victims when uncov-
cred were found to be without cuticle, the
flames having cooked and burned it until
it either chung to the clothing in removal
or fell away of its own accord.
Soon by each bier with anxious tear
stained faces and disheveled appearance
stood the relatives and friends whisper
ing words of comfort into dying ears,
sobbing words OF cheer that were half
choked in utterance.
When second train arrived from Wann
with -four more bodies the same scenes
were re-enacted. Several of the injured
constantly begged to be killed that they
might be free from pain. "Ohl I'm
blind.' moaned one. 81 feel that my
eyes are gone. OH 1 could stand all
everything, but to be without eyes
that's too much.'' And than loving
mother bowed low over the moaning form
and buried her tear stained face and mis-
cry convulsed form in the clothing that
shielded her son. Several little boys were
among the victims and their means were
the most distressing of all.
The financial loss to the railroad COM
pany will be very large. The engine and
tender, four coaches, seven tank cars and
a considerable section OF track were to-
tally ruined. Two small dwellings which
stood near the track were also burned
with their contents.
The total loss viii probably aggregate
SIPS, 900. A track was constructed at one
side of the ruins and trains on both the
Alton and Big Four are running regu-
larly tonight.