New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-05
CROWDED BRIDGE GAVE WAY.
HUNDREDS PRECIPITATED FORTY FEET
TO THE WATER.

MANY DRAGGED OUT FATALLY INJURED FROM
THE Observation-Disclosures FOLLOWS AN
INDIANA FOURTH OF July CELEBRATIoN
Elkhart Ind July "A terrible accident oc-
CURED at Bristol a small town six miles from
this city late this afternoon. During the progress
of a boat race on the ST. Joseph River. 500 people
were jammed on th'ee-span iron bridge Al
the finish of an exciting race and while the
crowd cheering tremendously. the priose
gave way The mass of humanity was precipi-
tated into the water forty feet below AS lar
known at present thirty-eight persons received
serious injuries and it s feared that many OF
them will die.
The little town was at once thrown INTO d
state of the widest excitement. Physicians
from Elkhart. Goshen Laporte and other cities
were telephoned for and went to the scene Win
all possible haste The accident happened az
6 o'clock The the last Of a series that
had furnished the principal sport OF fou''"
Of July celebration. When the unfortunatss
landed in the water amid mass OF IRON h""
wood framework. the groans of the mer. women
and children arose and spurred TO activity those
who seemed dazed by the magnitude OF the
disaster. Luckily the water was only hve ree'
deep many would undoubtedly have beeh
drowned.
The crowd on ShOre saw many peoPi' III ~
water fighting with ca n other for a place OF
vantage or some means OF escape from what
seemed certain death. II was some time before
effective aid could be given. AS soon as possible
however long planks ladders and ropes were
secur ed. 4 dozen men waded out and heiped
by those on the bank lifted the main girder
which held several people under the water.
one by one the injured were brought To the
shore and those living AT Bristol were taken
care of Immediately bX their friends.
The neighborng stores and houses were
turned into hospitals. and many who lived AZ
distance were taken care Of here Owing 10 tne
excitement and the rapid scattering or the IN
jured by their friends 1t will be some time De-
fore a complete list can be obteinen'
Those believed to be fatally injured are;
DR. Charles Detrow. conclusion OF the spine'
Mack Little legs broken and Injured internaiN'
Mrs Mack Little. injured about head and shou'-
ders. n six-year-old son Of Mack Little arms
and one leg broken; a daughter Of Mack Little.
legs broken: Jonas Reprogle. arms and legs
broken; Melville CARMEN. legs broken
Farmers and their families were present In
large numbers. coming in all sorts of convey
ances Many Of the farmers. as soon M their
injured relatives and friends were secured
hastily placed them In wagons and. without
waiting for the aid Of physicians or leaving
names departed for their homes i Is believed
that many injured were taken away In TINS
manner and that some of them VIII die Inc
comrieie lis, Of the dead and injured Will al
all events not be known for a week Inc town
has only three physicians and one "f them
was So badly hurt that he could give no as
sis,ance The other TWO utilized the telephone
I'm summoning aid and Il was nearly haif an
hour before they turned their attention TO the
\ injured.