Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-06-22
A Saddened Community.

Thurmont is an old town and in her long
existence has passed through many and var
led experiences but never in all her history
has she felt the force of such blow as fell
upon her Saturday evening last when the
inexpressibly shocking disaster on the W..
NJ. r. r. meant so much to her homes and
people. Almost threefourths of the victims
of that ilfated wreck resided in Thurmont
and Catoctin; hard working industrious men,
fathers and sons, wage earners and the sup
port, in many instances, of large families,
The vague report was received on Satur.
day evening after the mail tram failed to ar
rive, that wreck had occurred and that
number of the victims were Thurmontese.
Great anxiety was felt everywhere as the
report spread with the rapidity Of fire and,
the w. NJ. depot was soon crowded with
anxious people.
The first authentic news came with the
arrival OF the mail train shortly after IL p.
m. bringing several Of the survivors OF the
disaster and Il number of passengers who
gave detailed accounts of the horrors OF that
awful scene along the Patapsco.
There were agonzng scenes as wives and
mothers were told of the death Of husbands,
sons and brothers, whose home coming they
were looking for that very evening in health
and strength Then came that awful wait
for the bodies Of the victims. During the
whole of Sunday great throngs of people
were at the station waiting for the train that
should bring home the silent disfigured forms
of those who had gone forth strong and well
1t was about 10 80 q. m. when the first
shipment Of bodies arrived and then came
the long procession Of hearses and wagons
through the town and in the peaceful moon
light weuded their way to the Catoclin grief
stricken homes where the majority of the
dead men lived in life. The past few days
will never be forgotten The constant NOV
ing of hearses and wagons containing the
dead has made an indelble impression.
Seventeen funerals have been held in two
days and heartbreaking scenes have been
witnessed On Monday seven were buried
at one service at the Lewistown M. E. Gem
etery, an immense concourse of people fol
lowing heremalns to the city OF the dead"
At this service Revs Earnest McGi!l. Geo
A. Whitmore and Brunts officiating. AT
night the body of Chas. Miller, having just
arrived was also inferred in the Lewistown
cemetery, NJ l.. Creeger funeral director for
all.
On Tuesday six bodies were inferred, some
at Lewistown and some at the U. B. Gene
terry at this place.
The situation at Catoctln is most pitiful,
every other home being house ofmourning.
Mcclellan Sweeney and his two sons,
Frank and William were killed and there Is
leJt wife and six children.
In the home of Chas. Miller there remains
wife and six children.
Charles Grabil leaves wife and seven
children.
John WooIari. a wife and five children.
Jos. Stitely, wife and four children.
JAS erosion, a wife and three children.
Chas. Kelly, wife and three children.
| Elmer Miller, wife and two children.
Jas. Bremen, wife and one child.
Edw. Martin, wife and one child.
VIM Snuff, Nelson Fraley and Geo. Slim.
mel each leave wife; Calvin Bremen and
Harry Sweeny were unmarried.
From this list II will be seen that there are
thirtyeight fatherless children because of the
wreck, and the sympathy of the community
is wide spread for these poor women who
are left to fight the battle of life tor them
selves aud children single handed.
AS a mark of respect all business places
of Thurmont were closed on Monday after
noon during the time when most of the fu-
Derals took place.
Several more persons from this locality
remain in the Baltimore hospitals in pre-
carious condition and their relatives anc