The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-27
MANY PERSONS MANGLED;
DISASTROUS ACCIDENT
ON THE PERE MARQUETTE

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST FAGEA)
Mich, were found close together pinned
down by tons OF debris. Chambers was
conscious, and urged the rescuers to extri-
cate his unconscious companion, Post The
first efforts only succeeded in loosening the
mass OF debris, so that II pore down heavier
on poor Chambers, who was suffering
agonies. More powerful levers and more
helpers finally lifted the mass sufficiently
that the two men could be pulled out
Post recovered consciousness only long
enough to give his name and address on
the hospital train. Engineer Frank Water
man and Fireman i. s. Moon were dug out
OF the wreckage of the baggage car that
was following their engine and pulled
through the car window. The uninjured
passengers proved themselves heroes in the
dangerous work of rescue.
When the special train returned to
Grand Rapids il brought five bodies in addi-
ton 10 its load OF injured Rescuers
claimed that they saw at least three more
would require derrick to extricate them.
The wrecking train ran TO the scene as
soon as the track was cleared by the spe-
cial returning here.
TOLD BY PASSENGERS.
Three persons were killed right in front
OF my eyes" said Miss Eva streeter to-
night, as she sat at the bedside of her
mother in hospital. "A man, woman
and little boy were sitting just in front
of my mother. and she was just one seat
ahead of me. We were going home to
Grand Ledge. All that L remember was
that there was a crash, and when L opened
my eyes the car was all wrecked, and the
bodies Of those three could not be found.
They were under the wreckage. L do not
know their names.
Lester Williams. of Lansing, was taken
out OF the wreck, his left arm torn from its
socket, SO that the surgeons had to sep
arate 1t from his body with penknife. He
recognized friend i'm one of the uninjured
passengers, z. w. Herane, of Lansing, and
he sobbed piteously: "Oh, Ed, cant you
help me a littIe2'' Herane could only add
his Scbs 10 his dying friends
William i. MerigOld, travelling agent, Of
Chicago, was passenger the train,
route 70 Detroit, and In describing the
wreck said: Il was sitting IN the smoker
of the train. When the trains met l was
thrown into the aisle, but miraculously
escaped injury. Right at my side were
seyeral men bleeding from awful wounds,
and. with the assistance of two other men,
4 pulled two Of them out. The others
were fast in the wreckage, and We
could not move them. Hearing most
heart-rending screams, we Joined with
the others In helping rescue Post and
Chambers from their awful position be-
tween the cars. We worked for over an
hour to get these men out, but had to give
II up temporarily until more help came.
never saw more brave fellows than those
In the sleeping and cafe cars One OF them
rescued a woman who had been thrown I'M
der a seat and against the steam pipes:
She was in such position that she would
have been shOckingly scorched by escap-
ing steam from the pipes, but the brave
fellow entered the car and, guided by her
calls for help. found her and brought her
out in safety"
Edmund r. Robinson, of Detroit. escaped
with what he considered only a slight in
jury on the head. His first instinct was for
the prevention of another casualty, and,
Selling a red lantern from the hand of a
brakeman, he dashed east down the track
10 signal any train that might be approach
ing Hair an hour later a man was sent to
relieve MIN and found him in faint the
ground. but the red lantern was still burn
Ing brightly and IL the middle of the track.
he I'M Tn ~
be OF little permanent consequence al
though IL had weakened him greatly.
AT FULL SPEED.
The two trains were running at full speed
and the engines were reduced to tangled
bits of wreckage. The first cars were also
demolished and the entire trains left the
track. except the last coach on each, SO
great was the force OF the collision.
The east-Dound train was due to leave
here at $50 bound for Detroit. and was a
little late. The west-bound train was due
from Detroit at sis. IL was also late. The
latter is supposed 10 be in Grand Rapids
before the other leaves this city, but on
account OF being late was sent out before
The east-bound train was crowded with
passengers when IL left Grand Rapidc IL
carried scores OF Christmas visitors, re-
turning 20 their homes along the Pere
Marquette line after spending the holiday
Eere. The train was much heavier than
usual on account OF this extra rush IL is
reported that the incoming train was also
heavily loaded. II, too bore a holiday
crowd. well the regular Saturday
rush OF passengers.
AS usual, the smokers were damaged
more than any of the other coaches and
IN the smokers every seat was occupied
The wreck took place about half a mile
west of East Paris There is a curve al
that point and a long grade extends from
half mile east OF Fast Paris to near the
scene OF the wreck. The west-bound train
had just descended this grade when the
collision occurred. The speed OF the train
must have been very high. because Of the
velocity given by the descent of the grade
and of the fact that the train was trying
10 make up time.
Word was received here after midnight
that the second relief train. bringing eight
bodies dug out OF the wreck. would not re-
turn until about o'clock this Sunday
morning.
An OHiciaI Statement.