The Oskaloosa herald., 1903-08-13
LOSS OF LIFE
WAS APPALLING
Deaths from Tunnel Disaster in
Paris May Exceed 100.
ElGHTY-FOuR BODIES FOUND
victims Were All suRocated by Clouds
of Smoke from the Burning
Trains = How the Catas-
trOphe Occurred.


Paris, Aug. 12.-Eighty-fou bodies
have been recovered and the death list
probably will exceed 100 in the under
ground railway disaster which occurred
here Monday night
The accident, which occurred on the
Metropolitan electric railway, assumed
the proportions of an awful catastrophe
during the early hours Tuesday when
more than four score bodies of the
burned and suffocaIed victims were re-
moved from the subterranean passage.
The work continues and indications are
that the death list will. perhaps, exceed
FIVE score.
The scenes at the mouth OF the tUn-
mel where the victims were brought
forth were Of the most heart-rending de-
scription-crowds OF weeping men,
women and children struggling forward
In an effort to recognize their missing
relatives and friends Most of the vic
tins are from the middle and working
classes, as the trains were carrying them
home from their work
Although the accident occurred at
eight o'clock Monday evening, the Off
cials and fremen were unable. until
early Tuesday morning, to descend into
the tunnel owing to the binding clouds
of smoke from the burning train. Free
quent attempts were made by heroic vol
unteers whom 1t was necessary to res
cue, half suffocated and carried away to
the hospitals.
Cause of the Accident.
The causes of the accident are engag-
ing the attention of the officials. Sew
eral versions of the disaster are given,
but the main facts which have been es-
tablished are the following:
Train No 4S, which caused the acci-
dent, came from Porte Dauphine at the
entrance to the Bois de Boulogne, in the
western part of Paris, and passing un-
der the Place de L'Etoile cireled the
northerly quarter of the city. In this
northern quarter-a manufacturing sec
tion-the train picked up numbers of
workmen, who, after their days work,
were returning to their homes in the
populous eastern arrondissements of
the city. In reaching the neighborhood
of the cemetery of Pere La Chaise the
electrical motor failed to act properly
and the train waited at the station of
Les Couronnes until the arrival ofSG sec
ond train which pushed the crippled
train forward, making a total of 1s
coaches.
After proceeding about 200 yards to-
wards Menilmontant station, the dam
aged dynamo set fire to the engine of
the first train. The fire burned fiercely,
raising quantities of smoke. Stimuli
taneously the electric lights en- the
trains went out, leaving the passengers
in total darkness, except for the light Of
the burning engine far ahead. This i'm
peded the progress Of the trains toward
Menilmontant The terror-stYicken pas
sengers got out and tried to grope their
way back. The powerful electrical cur
rent, which continued in the rails, is be-
lieved to have stunned or killed many.
A number Of the passengers managed to
reach Les Couronnes Station, but the
main body Of the passengers was over
come by the heat and smoke.
Awful Horror Increased.
e A terrible panic occurred among them
behind and the horror of the situation
was increased by third train crashing
into the fiery mass and adding another |
crowd of panic-stricken passengers to
those seeking An outlet. The officials at |
the stations were the first to become
aware of the disaster by the clouds of
smoke rising from the tunnel and the |
forms Of few Of the strong
er men and two women who had been
able to make their way through the
dense smoke. Those who got out were
unable to give any information concern
ing the others left behind, but they told
Of stumbling over dead people AL along
the tracks. The cars continued to burn /
until 20 were consumed. The burning
debris gave forth fierce heat which
puffed out Of the mouths Of the stations
OF Les Couronnes and Menilmontant.
Most Of the trainmen escaped, but the
Of the train causing the acct
dent was seriously injured. The escape
Of the trainmen Is attributed not to their
lack Of attention TO the passengers, but
to their superior knowledge of the sub
terranean passage which enabled them
to hasten forward in spite OF the OBJ
scurity. Several soldiers were among
those who effected their escape. They |
were slightly injured, however, and were
taken TO hospital. Two women who
were partially asphyxiated.
A number Of heroic incidents occurred.
One of the employees Of the road nearly
lost his life in seeking to make HIS way
the smoke to aid the victims
and Is now in the hospital. Several SOL
diers and firemen risked their lives in
attempting TO succor the passengers.
weII-KnoUn Marksman Dead.
Boston, Aug. 12.-B. L. Woodward,
who had national reputation as trap
fc @naA "a bts ba,..a a.. n-<.t-