The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-06-02
THREE THOUSAND DEAD RUSSIANS
Number of Killed at the Moscow Panic Is
Constantly Growing.

Moscow, June 1.-The disaster on the
Khodijnskoji plain is constantly gain
ing in proportion as the Investigations
by the authorities continue. These are
made under difficulties, as the recovery
of the victims was conducted by hum
dreds of volunteers and many were car
ried away before they were enumer-
ated. Many additional deaths of the
injured who were carried away are oc-
curing which are only added to the
enumeration after some time.
1t is now said the fatalities will
amount to between two and three thous-
and, but it is impossible at yet to learn
exactly the extent of the disaster. An
official statement this morning places
the number of dead recovered at 1886.
But, in contrast with this official state
ment, there are !, 2S2 corpses lying this
afternoon at the cemetery, besides the
many dead and dying that are known
TO have been removed from the Inflated
field by friends.
Saturday evening, after receiving
Populations, the car and cZarina at
tended and danced at the brilliant ball
at the French embassy. Preparations
had been made on a most elaborate
scale for this ball, and IL is asserted
that $4,000 was expended on the sup
per alone, rare viands and delicious
fruits and vegetables being brought
from the most distant climes to add to
the delights of the feast, while France
furnished the coStliest and most ele-
CANT fabrics and furniture to set off
the beauties OF the palace where the
embassy is lodged The czarina was
not informed OF the disaster, owing TO
her delicate condition. While the dance
80 a
all the accomplishments of luxury and
gaiety, disconsolate friends and rela-
tives wandered over the desolate plain
among the dead and the suffering, dy-
ing. looking, oft in vain, for their miss
ing.
Sunday a requiem mass was said in
a chapel of the kremlin, at which the
car and czarina and all the members
OF the imperial family attended. The
city is filled with grief-stricken crowds.
1t is a striking evidence OF the vast
multitude who took part in the fetes
that there were large numbers who
were totally unaware OF the number
OF lives among them that had been
crushed out and who proceeded with
their merry making throughout the day
without having grasped the fearful pro-
portions Of the disaster. Even up to
q late hour at night. people refused to
believe there could have been so many
Tvs lost.
But thousands OF persons are crowd
ing 70 the Khodijnskoji plain, search
ing for relatives and friends. The
work OF Identification is most difficult.
both on account OF the large number
OF victims and the trampled. torn and
! mutilated condition Of many OF the
corDSes MANY OF which are crushed
quite beyond the possibility Of recogni-
hon. and almost beyond sembla1ce 20
/ humanity.
The sjority Of the killed were peas
ants from outlying places. though the
/ clothing OF some indicated that they
were persons OF wealth and distinction.
! The bodies % a number OF women clad
! n silks and fine linen were among those
| found. TIE stranseness 70 the sur
rouDdings OF many OF the survivors
Who are seeking for missing ones adds
| much 20 the confusion and difficulty OF
Identification.
All day the full force Of police s.a
fremen worked among the dead. pull
ing bodies from heaps OF ehe killed ana
injured and ranging them on the
ground which was covered for hun
dreds OF yards with groups OF ten an
twenty begrfmmed and dfshgured
corpses. among which the aEoaizs6
friends OF the missing wandered in
painful effort 10 identify them The
injured who were mixed with the dead
suffered terribly from heir injuries
The work 81 carrying the bodies 20 The
cemetery. where X = intended &c inter
those who fan OF identification. COZ