Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1896-12-30
..,,e Train Jumps the Track
IN a Bridge and Drops a
Hundred Feet.
IL,enty-seven Bodies Recov-
erad and Search for Vic
tins Continues.
Irlv Nine Persons Escaped
Alive and They Are Seri-
ously Injured.

puuyGHAM, Ala, Dec. 28.-Fiends
human form wrecked Birmingham
neral passenger train No. 40 at
haba river bridge, 27 miles from
70 at,7 80 a. M, and at least 27 lives
ore lost That number Of bodies have
eu recovered from the wreck and
rtber search may swell the list OF
Iad The wreck is regarded as almost
tainly accomplished by the removal
= rail on the middle span of the
pstle This derailed the train, which
used it to fall down the two spans and
(ecipitated it into the river, ITO feet
Low. The wreck was the worst that
g ever occurred in the state and the
hryiyors are so few, and are so badly
brit that they are unable to give any
tailed description of how it all hap
ned
umber of Dead May Never Be Known.
kIt is not known. and may never be
certained, just how many passengers
Sere on the train. Conductor A. r.
Unnell, who probably knew better
ban anybody else as to how many pas
myers were aboard. is dead. 1t is
bought, however, that there were not
kceeding rs or 30.
The ill.fated train was a local passen-
er which left here at q 80 a. m. and
las scheduled to make circuit of the
birmingham Mineral, which is a
fanch line of the Louisville and Nash
lie, reaching al the important min
(g towns in the district. The train,
PnSistlng OF an engine, baggage car
pd two coaches left here at q 80 a. IN.
he Mineral trains operate over the
puthern railways Brierfield, Blocton
pd Birmingham branch.
The Trains Fearful Drop.
slx miles south of Guernee is the
Phaba river, shallow mountain
ream which has depth at this time
only about three or four feet. This
ver is spanned by an iron bridge with
IOoden trestles on each side. Its en-.
length is 800 feet and the length of
main span where the wreck oc.
rred In ITO feet. The bridge was
LIZ only four years ago and was re-
praed as very strong structure. The
laln span and the span just beyond it,
p'a made OF iron, gave way and pre-.
pAa'ea the entire train into the river.
ns engine landed on its side almost at
gnt angles with the track. The cars
.eu upon each other through the main
Pan' The entire wreck took fire soon
erward and was rapidly burned to
waters edge. Nine persons alone
sped awe from all who went down
several OF them will probably die.
Were Beyond Aid of Physicians.
"nen the relief train from Birm;ng.
arrived there was little need for
on army OF physicians that had gone
Inc wounded were quickly at
uuea 10 and then sent to Blocton for
'uer ~ attention. The work of taking
w .ne Gead was entered upon. Moth.
nou,s Tas lelt OF the wreckage but the
remains. Charred corpses
o,I ,s packed in between the iron frame.
N hos! snere The seats had been, most of
Etou OUuies being burned beyond recog.
siu uu AS rapidly as possible the re-.
s ~ were taken out and laid in a row
cd.o .ne river bank. At 4 O'Clock "
s,a 's had been found and no more
>, a. ~ ~ sight. 1t is possible, however.
Ia .na efe are others under the wreck
6e W.. W. aiSo that some may be hid by
1 p;.r' Sa'er' The bodies were brought
nal mi a,ngham and are now at the sew
10 id.e:rtaking idan.:n establishments await.
|cwava. w'incatlon. All of the bodies.
|on ''er, a are charred beyond recopn;.
bia,0S 'he nine survivors three were
In. y" the Work of wreckers.
ktendasa ay, M,!,, a Blocton physician, who
hyorS "hi Gardner, one of the sur
n Gs,s s,elegraphs the statcmene made
breck er as to the cause of the
hn ls.u Gardner says when he felt the
2'' 'ne track he looked out and