Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-10-20
Results of Late Accident.

Results of Late Accident.
The accident on the Long Bridge SUM-
day night has produced busy scenes on
King and Union streets in this city as
well as on the river front, incident to the
t5.as.er OF through passengers to the
north and south.
Trains are brought into the Union
street from the south via the Washing
ton and Ohio Railroad, it being impos-
sible to get the coaches through the
Wilkes street tunnel. Most the trans
fers. however, are made to electric cars
at Henry and Fayette streets by which
passengers are conveyed to the boat The
arrival and departure of trains as well as
The frequent trip of the ferry boat make
the locality lively until after midnight.
TheIlerry steamer George Washington, in
addition to the regular service, transports
passengers, mail and baggage for the
Pennsylvania Railroad, and the steamer
Il. V. Arrowsmith has been charted by
the Southern Railway Co for the trans
portation of passengers, baggage and
mail which go over its own road, the
Chesapeake and Ohio and the Norfolk
and Western. These boats were running
until after midnight last night.
This is the first time passengers have
been transferred between Washington
and Alexandria by ferryboats since the
latter part of May and the beginning OF
June. 1889, when continual heavy rains
produced abnormally high tides and cur
rents which damaged the Long Bridge.
Work is being pushed vigorously on
the repairs to the bridge, and Penn
sylyania Railroad officials expect to
have the structure repaired for transpor-
tation to the South by tomorrow. All
day yesterday force of bridge guards,
including diver, was engaged in driv-
ing piles for the new superstructure and
in searching for the bodies OF any posi-
BILE victims of the wreck.
Richard J. Eckert, of Washington,
bridge tender, who was in charge OF the
draw at the time the accident occurred,
has not been found, and 1t is thought
that he was killed or drowned. Search,
however. failed to discover his BODY,
although his hat was found floating in
the river yesterday morning. 1t was re-
ported that three young men, BENEFIT,
Bright and Otis, Of Alexandria, were
supposed to have been on board the
wrecked train, but they have been To-
Gated.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company
is exclusive owner of the Long Bridge,
renting privileges to the other roads.
Officials Of the various roads yesterday
laid considerable blame upon the Penn
svlyapia road for the disaster. The
Pennsylvania Railroad, it was said, had
been warned repeatedly of the unsafe
condition of the bridge, which, the OH
Gals said, had long been known to be ID
a dangerous condition.
Yesterday an inspection OF the 0rldge
was made by engineer officers OF the WsI
DEPARTMENT but the report they Will
make in regard to its condition could ro'
he learned. Should they report the
structure entirely unsafe for transpC,r-
tation purposes, the bridge may not be
used and all Southern traffic may have
10 60 by boat to Alexandria, pending the
comoletion of the new bridge across
the Potomac, which has just been begun
II is thought, however, that the brldg'
will be ready for the passage OF trans 0!
tonight. and this seems probable iron
the feet that the Southern Railway ha
summoned three extra crews lot thi
afternoon and three to report tonight.
An electric light plant was installed
at the scene Yesterday by Superlntend
ont Colyin. of the Washington, Alex
andria and Mount Vernon Electn
Railway. and with artificial light IN
w,rk continued throughout the night
The Pennsylvania Railroad yesterdas,
informed the Southern Railway that tn
, br;dce would be repaired for transpor
tation purposes by tomorrow. In
Sontbern officials last night stated tina
tbev did not think this would be possl
ble 1t is more likely, they said, tha
the repairs cannot be made for at lea'
six days. o.,
AT least one, aud possibly more pick
pockets have taken advantage OF the az
cident at the Long Bridge to reap
temporary harvest. 1t was reported
Washington last night that sewers
passengers had lost vauabies during II
confusion of the trip from Alexandra o
the ferry-boat. -
Since the above was written Il
temp.rary repairs to the draw Of Il
bridce have been completed and tn
evening trains we're passing over 1t
usual. The tie-up in railroad trSv'
that had existed since Sunday mig mt
rapidly being uDrayeled and IN a she
time everything will be running as D
fore the accident.