The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-19
Goes Through Bridge.

Guthrie, Okla, September 1S.-Eisht
people are dead, twenty more or less In
jured, and as many more are missing as
the result of of the wrecklng OF a Rock
Island passenger train three miles from
Dover, Okla, at $50 o'clock this NOM
ing The engine, tender, baggage and
mail cars, smoker and day coach Of
passenger train No. -, northbound, lett
the high bridge that snans the Cimsr-
ron river sAd plunged ito the osfrant
flanxed by traacherous uuicksands. The
locomotive disappeared from sight almost
Immediately. The mail and baggage
clerks escaped from their cars and swan
to the shore.
The accident was due to the defective
condition of the bridge which was
swerved out of line by the pressure of
driftwood, carried down by the swollen
stream.
The train was an hour late and was
running at high speed to make up time
The engine driver did not see the con-
dition OF the bridge until he was within
few yards, when 1t was too late to
stop He shouted to his fireman. threw on
the air brakes and jumped. He landed
on the very verge of the river bank and
escaped unhurt. The fireman was less
fortunate and sustained several injuries.
Bridge colIapses.
When the engine struck the bridge the
whole structure suddenly collapsed, pre-
cipitating the engine, smoker and day
coach into the water The two heavy
Pullman cars were not pulled in. but re-
mained on the track.
The current whirled the day coach down
stream and lodged 1t against sand bank.
The occupants were helped out through
the doors and windows. The smoking car
fIoated down stream submerged all but
the very top. 1t struck on sand bar
in the middle of the river, and four men
were seen to climb through the windows
and pull themselves on top OF the car
calling loudly for help, but those on shore
were unable to reach them on account Of
the high water. While they were beg
ging assistance a large mass Of driftwood
swept down and carried them from their
fragile footing.
Three other men jumped through the
rear door of the smoker before 1t sank
and struck out for shore. They were car
ried down by the current for, perhaps,
quarter of a mile, when they were pulled
out. They were almost exhausted from
strangulauon and exposure.
Many Not Accounted For.
The most authentic accounts place the
number of passengers In the smoker at
between twenty-five and thirty. With
few exceptions they have not been ac-
counted for. The only hopeful news Is
al In r0C
districts Men on bits of driftwood have
been seen going down stream at various
points.
one man, whose name is not known,
was fished out of the Cimarron at
Cashion, twenty miles from the scene OF
the disaster He was almost dead. Others
have been reported floating down the
river.
Those who were injured and taken from
the river at the bridge were hurried to
Kinghsher. The people " Kingflsher
have thrown open their homes for the
succor of the injured.
1t will be impossible to ascertain the
exact number of dead for several days.
Many OF those reported missing may show
up safely at some point down the river.
Tonight the derailed cars are lying near
the bank OF the river. party of search
ers Is working with torches and lanterns
to lend aid to any who may be within
the coaches or recover the bodies. 1t Is
expected that few bodies will be found
inside the smoker.
Sheriff Loves ExperlWce.
Sherif ]. p. Love of Kinghsher, who
was in the smoker of the wrecked train,
experienced a marvellous escape. He
said:
Just as the car was turning on its side.
I fought my way to the rear and forced
my body through the door. The water
then was over my head. When | came
to the surface was swept down stream
by the heavy current. just as had given
| up all hope and was In the last stages of
| exhaustion. / touched bottom and drew
myself upon the bank. There were at least
| thirty others in the smoker | saw two
| beside myself escape"
| Governor Frantz this afternoon ordered
out the engineering corps OF the Okla