New-York tribune., 1896-12-28
TWENTY-EIGHT LIVES LOST.
A TRAIN FLUNG FROM A HIGH BRIDGE
INTO A RIVER.
DISASTROUS RAILWAY WRECK IN ALABAMA-FlRE
ADDS TO THE HORROR BELIEVED TO BE


ADDS TO THE HoRRoR-BELIEvED TO BE
THE WORK OF ROBBERS.
Birmingham Ala. Dec 27.-The most horrible
train wreck i'm the South since the one at STATES
WILLIE s. c.. In 1891. occurred at early hour
this morning near this city. when passenger
train crashed through treste to river ITO
feet below. 1t is known thai twenty-eight lives
were lost and a more complete search OF the
charred train may reveal more. 1t Is also al
most certain that the wreck was caused by
fiends for the purpose OF robbery.
OF those on the train nine escaped death and
several of these Will die Of serious injuries.
None Of them can give correct account OF how
the accident occurred.
The train was local on the Birmingham Min
eral. a branch Of the Louisville and Nashville
system II left birmingham about . n. m.. TO
make the daily circuit of the mining towns In
that section OF the country, and most or the
persons on board were miners and their families.
taking advantage Of the excursion tickets on
sale for the holidays.
For a portion OF the way the line uses the
tracks Of the Southern Railway Company. ana
IT the twenty-seven miles Of this ROAD
from Birmingham that the accident occurred. III
crossing the Cahaba River there IS an iro"
trestle surmoultod by woodwork, l2O feet ABOVE
the water. which at this stage IL only three feet
deep The bridge is only four years old, and was
always considered perfectly safe. 1t is SUI rect
long, the main span being ITO feet In length
This with the span next beyond. went into the
river with the tram. The engine fell at right
angles to the line OF the bridge with the cars
piled on top of it and around it. Engineer White
was found with his charred hand still grasping
the throttle.
TO add horror to the wreck the flames from
the stoves in the coaches ignited the wrecKage
ard the entire mass was burned to the edge Oh
the water.
The only orc Of the train crew that escaped
with his life from the wreck was the coiored
fireman. Sam Spencer. He Jumped from the
engine while it in mid-air and falling in
the river. escaped almost by miracle with only
broken arm Wild with fright. he fled for
the nearest station to give the alarm. but ere
he reached this a farmer passing saw the con-
dition Of affairs and went to telegraph station
with his horse at full speed. kilograms were
scnt 10 Birmingham and a relief train went TO
the scene. but before II reached there the flames
had done all OF their work and the destruction
was complete
Tho train left Birmingham at $50 In charge Of
Engineer Frank White and Conductor A. +. Con-
nell -Four miles north Of Blocton the entire
train. made up Of an engine baggage and two
passenger coaches. crashed through the bridge
into the Cahaba River \ rail- had been re"
moved from the track. and when the engine
struck this $50 feet of the bridge gave way and
went down with the train. Immediately the
wreck took fire. and the unfortunate passengers
and ;rainmen who were pnoned under the
vreckace were burned to death In sight OF other
unfortunate victims.
Some ~ the passengers not so badly hurt
managed 10 crawl out and do all they could in
assisting others but with little avail. The dead
are Frank White engineer OF birmingham;
George Carney. nagman. OF Birmingham; ~ L.
conncl conductor of birmingham Thomas
Strcetcr. co.orel porter Of Biriningham; Jor-
dan Powell. wife and eight children Of Bloc
ton. Mrs Henry Hanberry and two children. or
E,rlineham James Boiling. express messenger.
of Guthric ky.. L. W Martin Of BroOkwood: :
Hrilce phiilipps of BoctOn: :. w. Tibbs and
wife of Campbclltown: Andrew Bryson. or
Hlncton: George Glendale. Of Hcle..a. and four
hers unidentified
The injured are: Edward Echols slightly:
Henry Hanberry. ribs broken; - Powell. child.
feet badly burned Mrs. Walker. OF Blocton. in
ternallv will die Mrs Walkers three children.
slieh,l.. Miss Booth. of Bocion. Internally. VIII
die. stan stewart. arm broken