The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-11

al the angle the entire mass OF humanity
apparently became lightly wedged.
The panic which took place at this point
within this dark subterranean passage
must have been terrific.
The corpses from this death angle soon
swelled the list until $50 a. m. Prefect
Lepine placed the number OF victims at
45 already recovered, while the steady
file of firemen bringing up bodies con-
tinued.
BABES IN THEIR ARMS
NJ. Lepine summoned a large force Of
doctors and municipal officials who su-
perintended the removal of the bodies.
The number of corpseS brought up from
the angle where the mass was wedged
was so large that four and eight bodies
were placed in each ambulance
Many OF the victims had handkerchiefs
stuffed in their mouths, they having evi-
IDENTIFY tried 10 keep out the asphyXiating
smoke. Some women held their children
tightly clasped in their arms.
AS the firemen brought out the bodies
agonizing cries went up from women and
children who recognized their dead hus-
bands and fathers. The clothing OF the
victims indicated that they were most
entirely second class passengers. There
were several first class coz ches on the
trains and IL -halieXed- -that-their- -oc-
cupants were also among the victims.
The body OF one woman was har isome-
" dressed while two OF the male VIC
Tins were evidently persons OF import
ance.
BODIES OF TEN WOMEN.
About a. m. the bodies OF ten women
were brought out at the same time. They
had evidently been together in the COM
partment for women and had sought 90
escape in a company when they were
overcome. The bodies OF two little girls
and three infants were found with them.
clinging 20 their mothers.
Many poor people claimed the bodies OF
their children and relatives and tried 20
take them home. but the police gently
but firmly insisted on the bodies being
taken TO the morgue and barracks In or
der that the magnitude Of the catas-
trophe might be determined.
The president OF the municipal council
announced that the city OF Paris will
bear the entire expense OF the funerals
OF the victims
BY $50 a. m. the total Of the bodies
lying at the morgue had reached 40. and
the total AT the barracks OF the municip-
al guard ~. making 81 altogether.
At Q o'clock the number OF bodies was
unofficiaIly estimated at above 100.
CAUSES OF ACCIDENT.
The causes OF the accident are engag-
ing the aLltuAlOu tL the oWltidtts several
versions of the disaster are given. but
the main facts established are.
The train which casued the accident
came from Porte Daupine I'm the western
part OF Paris and circled the northern
quarter OF the city. In this quarter-a
manufacturing section, the train picked
up numbers of workmen. who. after their
days work. were returning 20 their homes
In the eastern embellishments Of the
city.
on reaching the neighborhood OF Gem
terry Of Pere Lachaase. the electrical mo-
tor failed % act properly and the train
waited az the station OF Les Charonnes
until the arrival OF a second train which
pushed the crippled train forward, max.
ing total OF i6 coaches
After proceeding about 800 yards
/ towards Menilmontant station the dam
aged dynamo set fre 30 the engine of
/ the first train. The FIRE burned fercely
raising quantities OF smoke.
/ simultaneously the electric lights on
l the train went out, leaving the passengers