The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-12
TWENTY KILLED IN A BAD
WRECK AND EXPLOSION
lccntlnned from FIRST Paael


one and connecting air hose in the
middle of the train blew out. This caused
the middle of the train to buckle" and
the damaged cars. one of which contained
the explosive, fell over the passenger
tracks. Just as this happened the Cleve-
land express came laundering up and
"side swiped the wreck The express was
stopped within its own length, and the
third sleeper was opposite the wrecked
cars. Before anyone could leave the pas
senger train, which was not very badly
Damaged, few slight explosions oc-
cured, and then there was one great
flash and roar that shook the earth.
The whole affair occurred within
period of few seconds.
Scene of Horror.
scene of horror followed the explosion
of the dynamite. The passenger cars and
some of the freight cars instantly took
fire. AS the reverbration of the terrific ex-
ploslon died away, the agonizing cries OF
the injured could be heard. Men and wom-
en- came tumbling and climbing from the
car windows, and crawled from under the
wreckage. No one for the moment seemed
to know what to do. and many of the
passengers. momentarly seized with ter
ror, ran wildly about the fields on the
north side of the railroad or waded into
the shallow waters of the river, which
parallels the railroad on the south. Real
izing their safety and the danger still
threatening others, the frightened pas
sengers soon began the rescue of the
living. As they approached the wreck an
other explosion occurred which sent them
scurrying away. Fearing that the entire
train might be loaded with dynamite, no
one dared go near the wreck Finally the
railroad men who knew the contents of
the burning freight train led the way and
the uninjured passengers followed.
Resuce Slow.
The work of rescue was at first slow,
and it seemed as though the flames would
envelop the entire express train before
those who were pinned beneath the heavy
wreckage could be freed. From every
where there came cries for help, and the
frantic reseuers worked with willing
hands. Scores of those who were trapped
in their sleeping berths, or plnioned under
the wreckage, were taken out and laid in
the field badly hurt. The rapid advance
of the fire drove the rescuers back as
they were about to take others from the
wreck and the unfortunates men and
women We're soon enveloped in flames.
The cries of the dying were heartrending.
but nothing could be done for them.
An alarm of fire was sent in, but when
the firemen reached the scene the flames
had done their work. The entire train was
consumed by fire.
Description of Wreck.
1.-THE first intimation l had of the
wreck" said John b. Reynolds of Pitts
burg, a newspaper man, who was going
| home from New York and escaped with
slight injuries, was when | heard an
awful crash, and was thrown out into the
aisle of the car. l was dazed for a little
time. and only realized my position and
what had happened when felt a woman
grabbing me and screaming, For God $
sake, help me- i pushed her out of the
window and fellow passenger handed out
child which belonged to her. He then
left the train and called to me to jump
through the window. Just then there was
terrific explosion. AS | dropped to the
ground a missile struck and knocked me
down. don't know how long 1 lay there
but when | recovered my senses | crawled
| across the tracks under a freight train
and rolled down the embanklnent onto the
other side. l was in my night clothes and
all my other clothing and belongings were
| lost.
Il never want to witness such a sight
as that which followed the collision.
Women were screaming, children were
crying and strong men were wandering
| about daZed and helpless. The tracks
were strewn in all directions with half
naked men and women. some of whom
were dead and others seriously injured"
Property Loss.
| The property loss is varously estimated
| at from $4,000 to 100000 Two hundred
residences are demolished and about half
| the business buildings are practically
a total loss. The remainder are more or
| less damaged.
| The Hilton, the largest hotel in town,
| remains intact and portion of the
building was used for an emergency hos
pital.