The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-08-08


was asleep. The jar awoke me, and
was going to open the door to see where
we were. 1t was rather cold, and / con-
cluded not to look out, as by opening the
door it would let in more cold am pos
tive our car was on the front portion of
the train, and that the other end crashed
into us.
"At the time of the accident was on the
floor, leaning against the side of the car.
Suddenly there
WAS A TERRIFIC CRASH.
and in an instant all was confusion. 1t
seemed as If our car had been split in two
by an oil tank. Beer kegs, castings, and
coke were flyin in every direction. I
looked up and seeing an opening, hastily
crawled through the hole. Watson fol-
lowed me and we were soon on top of the
wreck. 1t was terrible scene and one
will not soon forget have had several
narrow escapes from death, but 1 never
before came SO near. being hurled into the
other world.
1.-THE cries and means of the injured
were simply terrible, and enough to make
A STRONG MAN FAINT.
We went to work as soon as possible to
get the unfortunate men out of the wreck,
but it was slow work. The man who was
opposite me was pinned under the debris,
and it took quite time to release him.
All the flesh was torn off his legs but
otherwise he didn't seem to be much in
jured.
"The men in the car were all strangers
to me, but of course we got acquainted
little before we went to sleep. l don't re-
member the names of those killed, except
that one man
SAID HE WAS AN ACTOR,
and that his name was Kennedy. He was
on his way from Philadelphia to Chicago,
where he expected to get an engagement.
His head was crushed in, and he was
badly hurt about the body. He was dead
when we got him out of the debris. One
of the other men was dead before he could
be released while another died before they
were ready to start for the hospital.
think there is at least one man still in the
wreck.
"The cries of the injured were very pit
iful, and could be heard for quite dis
tance. One of the poor fellows was in
such agony that he
BEGGED SOMEONE TO KILL HIM
and thus end his misery. Watson and
myself were formerly employed at the
electric light works in Pittsburg, but got
out of work and started for Chicago in
search of employment. / tell you, when
the collision occurred, thousand things
ran through my mind, and thought
there would be Grape on mothers door to-
day don't see how l escaped with these
few scratches, as / was right in the midst
of the debris. l guess when fellow is
doomed he will be killed, and If it is in
tended he shall live while longer, he will
be spared"
HAD A GOOD BREAKFAST.
Watson and Mccoy attracted much at
tention on the streets, the latter's face be-
ing covered with scratches, while the for
mer had his pantaloons nearly torn from
his body. Kind citizens provided the pair
with money. and the boys enjoyed good
breakfast. Both are honest appearing fell
lows, and look as If they would work If
given an opportunity.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT
The railroad men say there were five
cars attached to the engine, when 1t stop
ped for water. They think the tramps
must have been in the first car of the sec
tion tht crushed into the front portion
The accident happened about 100 feet east
of the water tank. The train consisted of
thirty-four cars mostly loaded with coke,
castings, and empty beer kegs.
SCENES AT THE WRECK.
| Most of the damage seems to have been
done by heavy oil tank, which plowed
| its way through the other cars, reducing
them to kindling wood. The wreck was
piled twenty feet in the air, and the place
was visited during the morning by thous-
ands of people. The Alliance wrecking
crew arrived early, and at 8 o'clock had
the east-bound track cleared. The other
track was covered with debris at that
hour but later in the day the wreck had
been cleaned up, so that trains could pass
Traffic was delayed for considerable
length of time, and west-bound freight
trains reached nearly mile from the
scene of the collision. The sight was q
| frightful ono, the ground being
| COVERED WITH THE BLOOD
of the dead and injured. Assistant Train
Master Hubbard had charge Of clearing
away the debris
THE TRAIN CREW.
The west-bound extra which was
wrecked, was in charge of Conductor G.
III. Avery, of Allegheny. Joseph Mitch
ell, of Pittsburg was the only brakeman
ON the train. The fagman was Edward
M. MoCue, of Allegheny. Frank Moffett,
of Alliance, was the engineer, while the
fireman was @. II, Brandt, of Crestline.
CORONER M'oUATE AT WORK.
A busy man was Coroner McQuate,
who at once commenced his investigation
He thought it best not to delay the tax
ing of testimony, and consequently took
the statements OF ii o train men at an
early hour this morning.
ENGINRER's STORY.
! Engineer Frank Moffett said "We
stopped for water, and while standing at
the tank the rear end crashed into the
front section. i went to the telegraph
office, and reported the wreck and then
returned to the train. saw them carry
out two dead, and five wounded. The
balance were not hurt to any extent.
Some tramps told me that there were
twelve or fourteen buns in the wreck. /
don't know when the train parted and
was not aware 1t had done so until the ao-
oident occurred.
| THE BRAKEMAN's ACCOUNT.
Joseph Mitchell II was the only
brakeman on the train, When we left
Louisville, / was in the caboose and
| didn't notice the train had nartad G