Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-06-30

| lost consciousness from the terrible
blow which l had received on the head
and l knew nothing until I was dragged
from underneath the wrecked engine"
Gorham is 80 years of age and single.
His mother is seriously i'll at their home
in Norwalk and Gorham begged that if
possible the news be kept from her.
Appalling Features of Wreck.
One of the most. appalling features of
the, wreck was the burning of the dead
and injured.
A. 2. Head of London, England had
inhaled flames and smoke. His tongue
was swollen and his lungs were scared
so that the doctors declared he could live
only a few hours.
H. II. Wright of Chicago was pinioned
in the train and was partly extricated by
his own efforts when the flames overlook
him and burned him so severely that he
died later. He was brought to Cleve-
land on the relief train and taken to the
Cleveland general hospital. His arm and
head were burned so that he was hardly
recognizable.
Darkness Hides Horror
The night was lark, save for the light
from the blazing wreck Of the coach that
was crushed and splintered on top of the
engine. Men swarmed about it, COM
batting the flames with the means at
MANU-, SIOpluS IuSlE way through the
binding, scalding steam that rose in
clouds, hunting for the injured whose
piteous cries were such as chilled the
hearts of those who heard them.
Fire Drives Back Rescuers.
There was a small water supply and
the facilities for fighting the flames were
inadequate, but the zeal of the rescuers
wrought great things for the first few
minutes. 1t was known that number
of injured were helpless in the wreck,
but though the work was done with
frantic haste and without regard to dan
ger, the flames gradually drove the res
cuers back and after ten minutes of aw-
full battle the rescuers were driven away
from the blazing combination coach and
the imprisoned passengers were inciner-
ated.
Despite all their efforts the fire burned
until after midday ana the last burned
and blackened corpse was not recovered
until 1 o'clock. g.. 49,. s-..-.,'.'.'-.,~
Relief of Sufferers.
Conductor J. J. O'Neill on the Pull
mans, with his force of porters, did va
liant work in helping care for the in
Jured as they were taken from the
wreck. Bedding, blankets and sheets
were stripped from the berths of the
four Pullman coaches and used for the
Conductor Alexander Hammond, who
escaped, started the work of rescue and
led his fellow trainmen and the less seri-
ously hurt of the passengers in deeds of
rescue that were truly heroic. 1t was
the belief of men who were at the scene
that those whose bodies were burned in
the wreck were unconscious after the
crash.
See Bodies Incinerated.
In the glowing furnace that reared and
sputtered with terrific ferocity it was
possible to see q number Of the bodies,
but it was impossible to get to them I'M
til the arrival of the fire department.
which was able successfully to combat
the flames.
The scene of the wreck as the rescuers
redoubled their efforts to recover the
bodies after the help of the fire depart
ment made their fight with the flames
successful, was weird and horrible A
great pail Of smoke hung over the wreck
on which the fremen were pouring great
streams of water. Rescuers with Ian
terms CROPPED through the smoke and
steam and spared no efforts to get to the
bodies.
Identification Impossible.
Despite all this the condition of the
bodies was such as to make identified ton
almost impossible. One body was recoy-
cred with the head missing. The cloth
ing was gone from the body and there
was only, the smallest chance of sue
placed on a special train and hurried to
Cleveland.
A Tragic Coincidence.
1t was a tragic coincidence of the
wreck that it should happen close by
the summer home of Horace Andrews,
president of the Cleveland Electric COM
pany, and one of the fatally injured
should be his lifelong friend and bosom
companion, c. H. Wellman. Wellman
knew that he was near the house of his
friend. When he had been carried to a
place of safety his first words were a
feeble call for Mr.. Andrews. Bystand-
ers learned of the wish of the dying
man and a shout went up for the man
he wanted to see. Mr.. Andrews had
hurried to the scene of the wreck as
soon as he learned of it and he was led
to the spot where Wellman lay in his
agony. Kneeling by the side of the suf-
ferer' Andrews spoke a few words of
comfort.
Come nearer" whispered Wellman.
His friend leaned close to the injured
man. I'm terribly hurt, Horace Yes:
I'm dying. I'm terribly scalded and l
won't live. | know that. So I want
you to take this message to my wife"
Dying Message to Wife.
Mr.. Andrews leaned still closer so that
the message was whispered in his ear.
Doctors, nurses and Iystanders uncon-
sciously turned away for a moment,
while the last tender words were ut
tered.
After that Mr.. Wellman rallied and
asked after his friend and partner.
Thomas +. Morgan, who was with him
on the train. He was told that Morgan
still lived.
Thank God for that" he murmured.
ooh, hope Tom will live
Mr.. Morgan died shortly afterwards.