The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-09-21
PLUNGED
into RIVER

lover, Oklh., OepJ. lo.--ItOCh ipiohu
passenger train No. IL, known as the
Chicago limited, enroute from Ft.
Worth, Tex, to Chicago, plunged into
the Cimarron rtver near here this
morning.
How many persons were drowned
like rats in q trap may never be
known as there is no roster OF the
passengers on the train. The railroad
otncials are persistent in declaring
that not more than three or four per-
sons were killed, but 1t is generally
believed that not less than 25 Of the
passengers on the ill-fated train met
death in the surging waters of the
river, which is a thousand feet wide
at this point and extremely deep owing
to recent heavy rains.
The wreck was caused by the weak
ening Of a railroad bridge, due to the
unprecedented rise of the river. The
train was being hauled by Engineer
lies, who had no warning of the i'm
pending disaster until he was within
possibly a hundred and fifty feet of
the stream
TOO LATE TO STOP TRAIN.
When too late to bring his train to
a standstill he noticed that the bridge
was out Of alignment. Both the en-
ginser and fireman deserted their
posts and were but slightly injured
by jumping. A moment later the en-
gine reached the bridge, the weakened
structure crumbled like so much put
ty, and all but two cars plunged into
the torrent, part of the equipment to
be buried in the treacherous quick
sand, while other sections floated off
into the main current which was run
ming like a mill race.
1t is stated tonight that but seven
people escaped from the smoking car,
Sheriff Love, of Kingfsher county, be-
ing one of the number After the car
had been precipitated to the bottom
of the river. Love broke one of the
windows and after reaching the sur
face of the stream swan a distance
of nearly half a mile before he sue
ceeded in reaching the shore.
pie on the train vary, one hundred
and twenty-five being the minimum
ANOTHER STORY.
A special to the Oklahoma Post from
Dover, Okla, says: This morning at
few, minutes after s o'clock, the
Rock Island passenger train No. IL,
hours late and running at high rate
nf
the Cimarron river at Dover, submerg-
ing the mail car, baggage car and
smoker and the day coach.
The day coach which was we'll fl
ed with passengers thrned on it's side
and rapidly filled with water and
beached about 100 yards down the
river The passengers in the chair
car and two Pullmans, which remain
ed on the track. went at once to the
rescue and succeededed in pulling
from the windows the women and chill
dren who we're being held above the
water in the car. No bodies have been
recovered. The water in the river is
higher than it has been known before
and little work can be done towards
clearing away the wreckage before
morning.
Persons have been found as far as
Ia miles from the bridge. Many of the
persons in the wreck when brought
to this city did not report their in
iuries to the appointed physicians and
1t is impossible to learn the extent of
their injuries
Many others who were not injured
are In a serious condition owing to
the exposure and from swallowing the
muddy water of the river. Physicians
fear an attack of pneumonia in many
cases.
WORKED LIKE A HERO.
The baggage car and the smoker
have not been located up to late
hour this evening and 1t is thought
they have been torn to pieces in the
rapid current. The day coach and the
mail car are stranded In about twelve
feet of water The train was in charge
of Conductor Thomas, who worked
like hero in his efforts to save the
lives of the men, women and children
who were caught and unable to help
themselves in the water.
Clyde Giest, of Dover, is the only
man known to have escaped, he being
on the platform of the smoker when
it fell. He swan and waded three
miles to reach Dover and notified Enid
of the disaster and three relief trains
left Oklahoma City Immediately carry.
ing physicians and nurses, but mile
of rush water in each side precludes