The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-25
Slxy-Four Dead and Only Nine
Injured in the ConnelZsvilXe Wreck

told of Benjamin Nichols, steward on the
dining car OF the wrecked limited train
His name is being sung with praises by
railroaders and the surviving passengers
to-day. When the terrible slide of the
engine dragged the train whfrling side
ways along the road. Nichols was In the
dining car. He was battered from one side
OF the car to another Jolting. humping and
swinging, the car finally stopped. 1t was
on the end of the train, and II is
for this reason that Nichols and oth.rs
on that car were not injured Before the
car had made its last lurch, Nichols had
leaped, and was running toward the smo-
ker, which was reduced TO matter OF
twisted iron and splinters. The crash had
torn the escape valve from the top OF the
engine, and the steam was shooting into
the car upon the struggling mass of smok-
ing humanity. The escaping steam was the
first thing that attracted the plucky stew
ard. Taking off his coat, he ripped and
tore. the garment until it was in shreds:
With this he plugged up the pipe and shut
off the steam. Temporary relief had been
given the sufferers, but Nichols was not
done.
man coaches had stepped to the ground,
Nichols had taken the first step In the
work of rescue. Climbing through bro
ken window, he leaped into the dark car.
The hot, suffocating steam filled the car.
The screams of the injured made ii con-
fusing what to do. Picking up the first
human form at hand. Nichols carried II
tim on the frozen ground. Nichols once more
entered the car. By this time other res
cuers had arrived. One after another were
handed out until five were rescued. AT
this point the steward was compelled 10
leap to the ground. being exhausted and
overcome by the heat and steam.
Lewis Hilgot, the conductor of the train,
was in the second day coach when the
crash came and no one knows just how
or what happened to him until afterwards.
d. w. Hills porter one of the sleepers,
said that as soon he could get off his
car, he went forward and heard someone
shouting from the top of the bank. where
he, by going forward, recognized Hilgot s
voice. He was in terrible agony, but
shouted at the top of his voice: For Gods
sake, | am scalded to death, but some one
of you get red lamp and flag AZ or she
will be on us.' Even in the mental suf-
fering of everybody about the scene. the
bravery and thoughtfulness of the dying
conductor was sufficient to bring words OF
praise and commentator.
Porter Hills, telling of his experience
said: II went to the smoking car and be-
| gan to get the injured out. The car was
| the most awful / ever witnessed
| Men were damned into all sorts of shapes
| They were on top of each other, and buried
| under heaps of dirt and seat cushions
others SO tightly wedged into the same
place that several had to be aided at on,
| time. / got seven men out before L stopped
! there. The dead were badly bruised anC
| some of the scalded were in such q fearful
condition that they would better be dead
Some of these had lost their eyes entirely
| The baggage and clothing of the passen
| Some of it was soaked with blood, while
| in the piles of it could be seen piles Of
| toys, telling the pathetic tale of Christina,
| shopping that came to such a pitiful end.