Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-31
F0RTY-TW0 DEAD.
Terrible Accident Near Allan
tic City, New Jersey.
Railroad Train PIunges Into Another,
Causing Great Catastrophe.
Eighty lnjured-Scene Beggars Description
Many Bodies Unidentified.

Atlantic City. July 30.-A terrible
railroad catastrophe took place on the
Meadows, about two miles out of this
city. shortly after $50, this evening.
resulting in the deaths Of AZ people. as
far as can be now be learned, and the
wounding of so others.
A train left here, consisting of seven
cars, over the West Jersey Railroad,
bearing a special excursion of Red Men
and their friends of Bridgton, N j..
and Salem. and had reached the cross
ing OF the Reading Railroad, when it
was struck by the $40 down express
from Philadelphia, demolishing two
cars and telescoping the two following
The engine of the Reading train be-
came a total wreck, killing the en-
yineer and fatally injuring the fire
man. The car behind II was thrown
from the track and many of its occu-
pants We're killed or injured.
The responsibility of the collision has
not been placed William Thurlow,
the operator at the Block tower at the
crossing. has been placed under ar
rest by order of the coroner
Leaving this city, the tracks of the
West Jersey road run parallel to those
of the Camden and Atlantic until af-
ter they cross the drawbridge when
they switch off to the south crossing
OF the Reading road at an obtuse angle.
John Greiner the engineer of the
West Jersey train saw the Reading
train approaching the crossing at great
GDgp1 \ = Ia
him to proceed on his way, he contin-
ued. His engine had barely cleared the
track Of the Reading when the locomo-
tive Of the latter train which left Phil
adelphia AT ) 40 p NJ, struck the first
car full in the centre throwing it far off
the track into nearby ditch and COM
plctely submerging it. The second car
of the West Jersey train was carried
into the ditch, the third and fourth
cars being telescoped. The engine of
the Reading train was thrown to the
other side of the track, carrying the first
coach. a few minutes after the col
iision To add to the horror of the situa-
ton. the boiler of the Reading locomo-
tive expoded, scalding several to death
ana casting its boiling spray over
many of the injured passengers AS
soon as the news reached this city. if
spread rapidly and thousands of peo-
pie Hooked to the scene. Darkness fell
quickly. The work of rescuing the in
Jured and recovering the dead bodies
was carried on under the glare of huge
bonfires
gruesome sight was presented TO the
on-lookerS. as the mangled and burnt
forms of the dead were carried from the
wreckage and laid side by side on the
EfdNei bahk near the track. with no other
pan ttfan the few odd newspapers fur
hished by. the passengers The wounded
were quickly gathered together and car
iied ~ train and wagon to the Atlantic
arrival. The old excursion house at the
loot of Mississippi avenue was converted
mo Il n1orsue and thither the dead We're
taken Al a late hour this evening, there
We're % bodies laid out there, none of
whom have been identified
rms city is terribly excited over the
aecldent. The Bridgeton and Salem ex-
brought back to this city and sent home
on special train. several hours later.
James W. Hoyt, secretary of the depart
ihent OF public safety Immediately upon
telegraphed for Philadelphia for the med
zeal emergency corps. Il of whom hurried
TO this city on a special train which left
Philadelphia at 1915 +. NJ.
These surgeons materially aided the
volunteer corps of this city. which en-
hraced almost every physician at present
within its confines. Many injured were
taken to hotels. as the city hospitals soon
became ovcrcrowded. About 20 wounded
had their injuries dressed and We're able
10 proceed on their way. 1t is expected
that fully a dozen of those now living in |
The Inn hospital will not survive their in
jures.
Mrs, Edward Farr. the wife of the
Reading engineer, who met his death
mo- Il 1
with one hand on the throttle and the |
other on the brake when Informed OF
her husbands tragic death. fell to the
floor, dead.