Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-11-03

perienced and a regular man, running
daily.
The III fated train laft Camden at /
o'clock and was due here at 2.30 II
came through without mlshap until the
trestle was reached, when 1t slowed
down to take drawbrIdge 1t was
then running, however. at a good speed.
The accident occurred about one mile
from Atlantic city. The bridge itself
is nearly mile long. The train kept
to the bfidg FOR about 200 feet. when
the forward car broke through the
guard rail and plunged into the water.
Most Of the passengers were rhilade
phians.
John Dou@herty Of 2239 Brandywine
street, Philadelphia, was severely in
jured lie broke bis way through tile
window and escaped after being In the
water.
John Taylor Of Camden was among
those who went overheard with the
ears, but kicked his way through
window OF the rear car ana swan to
the piling Of The bridge where he was
braye.y rescued by J. r. De Ford,
railroad man.
Charles Kessler was one Of the FIRST
on deck and displayed cool head lie
secured an ak, jumped on top of a
submerged car and cut through the
roof. lie could not release many under
the circumstances, but he got some of
the women out 10 safety.
The old man who attends the bridge.
IN spelklng of the accident, declared
that tie bridge had been opened about
thirty minutes before the train came
along. A yacht passed through. He
says that he saw that the bridge was
properly closed and that the tracks
were inspected He cannot explain
why the rails spread as they did.
When the rear ear Of the train caught
on the ahutment on the bridge. where
1t hung poised tor a minute, there was
a frantic rush Of the passengers for
the rear door Probably a score or
more got out and as the car plunged
over the edge others leaped into the
water The last ear that went over
the bridge fell upon the others and
slowly Slid off into the water. The
moments delay, however, gave several
passengers the opportunity to leap in
70 the water before the car finally was
Submerged.
Motorman Scott stuck TO his post
and went down with his train. Con
ductor Curtis also persisted. The third
uanman Brakeman Wood, proved
himself a hero. When the train left
the rails and was humping over the
ties Wood ran to the rear door of the
last car. threw it wide open and held
1t for the passengers to escape He
held the door open until the car slid
off the bridge and went into the wa
ter with it. He then swan to the
shore His action in holding the door
open probably saved many lives.
When the third car dropped into the
water Henry Roemer was in the act
of crawling from n window Freeing
himself with an effort and being
strong swimmer, Roemer set about to
help others. Swimming along the side
Of the fast sinking car, he kicked out
the glass and TINS gave several pas
sengers an opportunity to escape. One
man was caught in ii window and was
drowned before he could eXtricate him
self.
The accident was witnessed by many
people, and rescue work was prompt.
Strong swimmers endeavored to dive
to the submerged cars in search Of
bodies. but so strong was the rushing
tide that they were forced to desist
Professional divers were then secured,
who donned their armor and went
down. but even they were unable TO do
anything against the tide that swirled
around the sunken coaches.
An Italian named Marco Bona was
rescued from the third car. but died
later from his injuries. Boats soon
swarmed about the spot where the
cars went down. their location being
marked by the tops Of their trolley
poles,