Waterbury Democrat., 1902-10-10
ONE LIFE LOST IN THE WRECK

aggerated and When the Truth
 Became Known Many Owners
 of Aching Hearts Gave
 Sigh of Relief.
 Shortly before 8 o'clock last nigh
 the word was flashed into this cit,
 from Danbury and Sandy Hook tha
 the special train bearing nearly 1,00t
 Waterbury people was wrecked a
 Sandy Hook station. The news spreat
 like wldfire through every part of tht city and soon people were hurryins from all directions for the Highland
 division station to learn the correct ness of the report and discover if pos
 sible whether any of their friends or
 board the train were injured or not
 Rumor followed rumor as to the extent of the wreck and the number of dead and injured. It was impossible to get correct report of the disaster, and it was like finding needle in hay loft to get any information from the em, ployes at the railroad station. In fact, they denied that there was a wreck of any kind. Thousands of people crowded around the meadow street sta- ton of the New England road, the great majority of whom had relatives on board the train coming from Dan- bury.
 The scenes at the station were piti- ful as people walked up and down the platform or crowded the street in the neighborhopd, many of them crying and asking each other for the latest rumor or report. The first rumor, which later proved to be the nearest correct, was that one was killed and twenty were injured. There was some comfort at least in this report to the people who had friends on board the train. This rumor was quickly fol- lowed by one that five were killed and hundreds injured. Then came another that nearly 100 were dead or buried in the Wreckage at the Sandy Hook sta- tion. This last report made the people at the station well nigh frantic and it was almost impossible for the platoon of police to keep the people in line and away from the railroad tracks, where cars were being constantly switched This squad of police was in charge of
 oC4 SSdAlSa OdISy and Dldk01y,r rW1Cn Do-s tective kennaugh and Officers Noonan, Cavanaugh, Cassin, Hickey and Ral- eigh. They did yeoman work and not only kept the crowd in good order, but occasionally gave words ef cheer to sorrowing friends of those supposed to be on board the wrecked train.
 When the worst report had circu- lated among those in and around the station, men as well as women and children were in tears and several of the women required the services of the physicians who were at the uepot Messenger boys finally began to flock among the people with dispatches from friends who were on the train, dis patches which told of their safety and that but one was killed on the train and the number of injured was un known. This calmed the anxious ones and they awaited the arrival of the train which would tell them the whole story. Word was senc that the train would arrive in the city at half-past 10, but 1t was after midnight when the first of the train, which Lad been di vided into three sections. hove in sight
 Such scene as followed has never been witnessed in this city before. As fhe people on the platform and in the Street saw the face of a relative in the passing train they shouted in joy and tears of thankfulness flowed freely. Fathers and mothers were there look ing for their children. Children were on hand looking for their parents, and 1t seemed as if every person on board the train had relatives or friends at the station. The people had scarcely time to step out of the cars before they were grasped by some one or two en the station platform and borne away in joy and thankfulness. Many of the l scenes were affecting and even the off, cers forgot for a moment and let the | people crowd the platform and give | fuu vent to their feelings.
 The lrst two trains were quickly 1 empted Of the people and slowly the | last train came in sight. Backed up | against the platform was every am bulance> in the city. Word had been sent to Thomas Lunny to get every ambulance he could find, and right well did he perform his work It was a | gruesome sight, those conveyances and made the agony of the waiting friends of the injured more keen. As the train came to a stop Doctors Axtelle and l. Pomeroy were seen very busy hurrying rom one to the other. Those two doctors had gone out on a special train earlier in the evening. They were as. sisted by Doctors Graves, David and Goodrich, who had been on fhe train. It was soon learnad that but one was killed and twenty. two were injured and all were aboard Inis last train. Fathers Slocum and Curtin were quickly admitted to the gar and passed from one injured to fhe other administering words of comforf Ah the injured were bearing up brave l y, and even Michael Malia of Nauea- 'uek who received some terrible in- |pries. was bemoaning only the sad I 'ate of his promised bride. Miss Mary @uinian- whose body lay on q stretcbssy } few feet behind him.
 pr Axtelle who had charge of fhe 7ead and injured. at once had the lat |er conveyed to the ambulance in rafting and they were taken to fhe zomes of friends or relatives. Every arrangement had been made for their