The Charlotte Democrat., 1896-08-06
FORTY DIED BY 4 COLLISION,
CATASTROPHE AT ATLANTIC
CITY.

A Fast Express Train from Philadelphia
on the Reading Railroad Runs In an Fx-
cursion Train at Crossing of the Tracks
Over 40 Dead. and so Injured, Some Fa>
tally-The Engineer and Fireman of the
Reading Train Among the Dead-The En.
glneer's Wife Falls Dead When She Hears
the News-Ths Dreadful Scene Immedi-
ateIy After the Wreck-Physicians At
tending the Injured.
Atlantic City, N. j., July 30.-A terri>
BILE railroad catastrophe took place at the
Meadows, about two miles out of this city
shortly after, $50 o'clock this evening,
resulting in the death of AZ people, 90 far
as can be learned, and the wounding of
80 others. A train left here, consisting
of seven cars, over the West Jersey
Railroad, bearing q special excursion of
Red Men and their friends, of Bridge
town, N. j., and Salem, and had reached
the crossing of the Reading Railroad
when it was struck by the 5:45 down ex =
press from Philadelphia, demolishing two
cars and telescop:ng the two following.
The engine of the Reading train became
a total wreck, killing the engineer and
fatally injuring the fireman, and the car
behind it was also thrown from the track
and many of its occupants killed or in>
jured.
The responsibility of the collision has
not yet been placed but VIM. Thurlow,
the operator at the black tower situated
Al =
arrest by order of the coroner.
Leaving this city, the tracks of the
West Jersey road run parallel to those
of the Camden & Atlantic until after
they cross the drawbridge, when the roads
cross at an obtuse angle,
John Greyner, engineer of the Wes
Jersey train, saw the Reading train ap-
preaching the crossing at swift speed,
but as the signals were open for him to
proceed on his way, he contin-
ued. His engine had hearly cleared the
track of the Reading road, when the los
comotive of the latter train, which left
Philadelphia at 5:45 p. M, struck the
first car full in the center, throwing ii
far off the track into a near-ditch, and
completely submerging it, The second
car of the West Jersey train was also car.
ried 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 with it the
first coach. A few minutes after the col.
lision, to add to the horror of the situa
ton, the boiler OF the Reading locomotive
exploded, scalding several to death and
casting it's boiling spray over many OF
the injured passengers.
A thousand left here for the scene ol
the wreck; Darkness fell quickly and the
work of rescuing the injured and the dead
bodies was carried on under the lurid
glare of huge bonires. It was q grue-
some sight presented to on.lookers as the
mangled and burnt forms of the dead
were carried from the wreckage which
bound them and laid them side
by side on the gravel bank near the
track, with no other pail than the few
old newspapers gathered from the
passengers. The wounded were carried
to the Atlantic City Hospital, where six
of them died shortly after their arrival
The old excursion house at the foot O,
Mississippi avenue was converted into 9
morgue and thither the dead were taken
At late hour this evening there are 2e
OONioO AoiN OuV SuOA0D uOuo VI Lu0m As We
identified. This city is terribly excited
over the accident.
The Philadelphia medical emergency
corps were hurried here: These surgeons
materially aided the volunteer corps o.
| this city, which embraced almost every
physician at present within its confines.
Many of the injured were taken to hotels
as the city hospitals soon became over.
crowded. About 80 Of the wounded haG
| their Injuries dressed and were able to pro
ceed on their way. 1t is expected tina,
fully dozen Of those now lying in thu
hospitals will not survive their lnjuris.
Mrs. Edward Farr, the wife of th.
Reading engineer, who met death will
one hand on the throttle and the other OF
the brake, when iaformed of her husband,
tragic death was unable to withstand The
shock and fell to the floor dead.-Char-
lotte Observer