The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-08-05
Death on The Rail.
A cred Mans" Excursion
Collided With.
TWENTY-FIVE BODIES LAID
OUT.
Several Others Will Die-Recuing
by Fire-Light.

ATLANTIC Clff, cuiJ cV.-HA 'e''.
bic railroad catastrophe took place on
the meadows, about two miles out Of
this city, shortly after $50 O'Clock this
evening; resulting in the deaths of ~
people, so far as cow can be learned
and the wounding Of 80 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 Bridgeton, n. j. and
Salem, aud had reached the crossing
of the Reading railroad. when it vas
struck by the $40 down express from
Philadelphia, demolisbing two cars and
telescop;ng the two following The eu-
gioe Of the Reading train became
total wreck, killing the epgiDee: and
fatally injuring the fireman. AID the
car behind it also was thrown from the
track and many Of its occupants killed
or ieiuted. The responsibility of the
collision has not yet been placed, but
Wm. Thurlow, the operator at the
block tower situated at the crossing, has
been placed under arrest BY orders of
the coroner.
Leaving the city, the tracks of the
West jersey road run parallel to those
the Camden and Atlautic until after
they cross the draw bridge, when they
switch of to the South, crossing the
Reading road at an obtuse angle, John
Greiaer, the engineer of the West Jer-
sey traio. saw the Reading train ap
preaching the crossing at swift speed,
but as the signals we're open for hin to
proceed on his way, be continued His
engine had barely cleared the track of
the Reading when the locomotive of
the latter train. which left Philadelphia
al $40 .. N. stru,k the first car full in
the centre, throwing it far Of the track
into oearby ditch. and completely
submergiog it. The second car Of the
West Jersey train vas also carried into
the dNcb, the third and fourth cars
being teIescoped. The engine of the
Readiog train was thrown to the other
side of the track, carrying with it the
first coach A few minutes after the
collision to add to the horror Of the Sit
ua.ioo, the boiler Of the Reading looo-
motive exploded. scalding several to
death, and casting it's boiling spray
over many Of the injured passengers
As 5000 as the news reached this city
i, spread widecast and thousands of
people f,cked to the scene. The road
leading to the place of the collision was
a constant procession of hacks. 'busses
and bicycles and all kinds of vehicles,
while thousands of pedestrians hurried
along the path to render what assistance
thew could or to satisfy their curiosity.
Darkness fell quickly aud the work
of reseuiog the injured and the
dead bodies was carried on under the
lurid glare Of huge bou6res 1t was a
gru.one sight presented oOlookers as
the maosled and burnt forms of the dead
were G r:;ed trom the wreckage which
bound th .m aud laid side by side Oh
the gravel bank near the track With 20
o:her pail than toe few odd newspapers
gathered fren the passengers. The
wounded w-re quickly gathered 'ogeth-
er and carried By traio and wagon to
the Atlantic City hospital, where six
of them died shortly after their arrival.
The old excursion house at The foot OF
Mississippi avenue was converted into
uorsue. where the dead were taken.
late this evening 29 bodies laid ous
there, none Of whom as yet identified.
This city is terribly excited over the
accident. The streets 10 h: vicinity
Of the excurion house AID CT y hospital
as we'll as the sceuc OF tt. a,c,1eut
being packed with people anx:,us t.
learn ,de latest. The Bridg~,o~u aud
Salem excursioris,s who escaped injury
were bryugh, back to this city aud sent
bons ou special train several hours
later 10 the evening
James W Hoy. secretary of the de-
part:aen, Of public safety Immediately
upoo learning Of the extent of the Ga
tas,:ophe se!egrapbed fer medical emer
gsncy corps. Is of whom responded aud
hurried so the city on special train
which LIEF, Philadelphia at l0:45 P. u.
These surgeons materially aided The
volunteer corps Of this city which em
oraced almost every physician at present
witbio its cob6nes Many of the 10
ju,ed were taken to hotels, as the city
5000 became overcrowded About ~
of the wounded had their injuries dress
ed aud were able to proceed ou 'heis
way. 1t is expected that fully dozen
ofthose now lying iu the hospitals will
not survive their injuries.
Mrs. Ed ward Farr, the wife Of the
Reading engineer who met death while
performing bis duty, vas found with
one hand on the throttle and the ether
90 the brake, when Informed Of the ac
:l. j Lx. h,obop 40 trorio Nooth