Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-05-18
TWENTY NINE DEAD.
FIFTY OTHERS INJURED IN A WRECK
NEAR READING, PA.

Excursionists Are Returning from the Un-
yelling of Hartranft Monument When
Engine Crashes Through Three Cars and
Occupants Are Hurled to Death
READING, Pa, May 15.-The total
number of dead, as result of last Fri
day nights rear end collision on the
Philadelphia and Reading railway at
Exeter, six miles below here, reached 30
yesterday, William D. Jenkins of Nor
ristown, dying at the hospital at that
place. Of the large number of injured
persons still in the hospitals here, three
are in serious condition and small
hope is entertained for their recovery.
They are William M. Friedenhorn,
Thaddeus S. Able and George w.
Holiness all of Norristown.
Holmes son was instantly killed in
the accident, but the hospital physicians
have not yet informed the father of the
boys death.
The regular express train from
Pottsville for Philadelphia connected at
the station in Reading with train from
Harrisburg, which was crowded with
excursionists who had been to the state
capital to witness the ceremonies in con-
nectlon with the unwilling of the Hart
ranft monument. Many of the Harris
burg passengers at Reading went aboard
the Philadelphia express but, it being
found that all could not be acommo-
dated, it was decided to send an extra
train to Philadelphia to run as the Sec
ond section of the express. The extra
train left 20 minutes later than the ex-
press. AT Exeter the express stopped
for orders and while standing still the
extra train crashed into it while moving
at great speed. Three of the rear cars
of the express We're telescoped and the
first car of the extra train was also
wrecked. The passengers in these cars
We're terribly mangled, many being
killed outright, while others had
limbs and bodies manned. Word
was at once sent to Read
ing and special train with physi-
clans and nurses was sent to the scene
as quickly as it could possibly be put in
readiness.
The identified killed are:
JOHN LEAF, Montgomery county.
WILLIAM STALER, Norristown.
COLONEL GEORGE SHAW, Norristown.
CHIEF JOHN SL1NGLUFF, Norristown.
JOHN JOHNSON, Mt. Clair.
WILLIAM LEWIS, Norristown.
HARRY HUNCHINoNGER, Norristown.
GEORGE Sewers, Norristown.
GEORGE H. ANDIs, Norristown.
HARRY WENTZ Norristown
SAMUEL BATTY, Conshocken.
HARRY THOMPSON, Norristown.
HIRAM SHELLY, Hatboro.
BENTON SILvIs, Reading.
The injured are:
Eddie Smith, Norristown.
Charles White, Norristown.
Nathan O'Neal, Norristown.
Luther Custer, serious, Pottstown.
Patrick Kern, Norristown.
Pascal Walters, Swedeland.
Harry Leister, serious, Phenixville.
L. B. Vanderslice Phenixvillc
Charles Maddis, Conshocken.
John Earl Conshockon.
Harry Kantz, Norristown.
David Carney, Norristown.
The number Of dead is fully 20 and
injured so. The first train ploughed
through three cars of the forward train,
completely wrecking them. Eight dead
were brought here at l a. m. A score
are under the debris. A trainload of
wounded were brought to the hospitals
here. Great excitement prevails
throughout the city. The railroad Off
Gals offer no explanation of the acct
dent. The coroner will investigate at
once. A passenger says the scene
around the wreck is fearful,
The second relief train left Exeter at
$40 a. m. 1t brought to Reading 20
additional bodies. The names are not
yet known. None of the seriously in
jured were brought here on the first re-
lief train. The rest of the injured were
taken to Pottstown and Norristown.
At least 10000 persons visited the
scene of the wreck yesterday. Almost
everybody was bent on carrying away
some kind of a memento. Many of the
people did not hesitate to take away with
them pieces of wood thoroughly satu-
rated with human blood. Everything
in the neighborhood is despatched with
blood and the sight was gruesome one.
The body which was thought to be that
of G. H. Howell of Phoenixville was
yesterday positively identified as that of
Captain Charles T. Street of Philadel.
phia. The question as to who is re.
sponsible for the catastrophe is still be-
ing discussed here. That some one blum
dered is generally admitted by railroad
men. Who it was that Numbered, how
ever, no one seems to positively know,
and opinions on this point differ widely.
National Educational Association.
Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railway.
In the lovely city of Los Angeles,
California, the above named organi-
cation will hold its Fourteenth An
nual Meeting, July IL to IA, 1899.
The Great Rock Issued hand-
some book containing views and
necessary information as to trains,
rates and routes and this will be
sent you by addressing with postal
card or letter, JOHN SEBASTIAN,
General Passenger Agent, Chicago.