The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-10-29
NEARLY A SCORE
WERE BADLY INJURED
Draw Over the Thorough
fare Was Not Quite
Closed - Some Jumped
From Last Car Just AS 1t
Fell Off the Trestle And
Escaped Death.

Atlantic City, N. j., Oct. 2a--A total
of 66 lives were lost and nearly q score
Of people were injured in the railroad
wreck on the West Jersey and Seashore
line yesterday afternoon when three
cars jumped the track on the trestle
bridge over the "Thoroughfarep and fell
to the water fifteen feet below. AL.
ready As bodies have been recovered
in addition to the 70 people on the
cars who paid fares there were fifteen
who used passes. It is now believed
that the accident was caused by the
draw not being quite closed.
While running at a speed said to have
been moderate and not unusual the first
coach left the rails and dragged those
following it over the ties for dis
tance of fifty feet. Suddenly swerving
the first two coaches plunged over the
side of the bridge into the water TWEEN,
ty feet below. The third coach struck
Hthf dbdtltCttNs HANRN TT COUPLINGS
and for brief time hung perilously sus-
pended over the water. Brief as was
this period, however, it gave more than
score Of passengers an opportunity to
escape by the rear door. Then the car
slipped off and followed the other into
che water. 1t is believed everyone in
She rear Of the third coach escaped alive,
though all we're more or less injured.
The accident was witnessed by many
persons on shore and assistance was
promptly sent from Atlantic City Lit
Gle could be done, however. towards saw
ing the lives Of those Imprisoned in the
submerged coaches. They quickly set
tied in the mud. and as the tide rose
they were soon hidden from the sight.
except for the trolley poles Divers we're
at work trying TO reach the dead bodies.
but darkness set in and the tide ran
Goo swiftly for them TO accomplish
fnuch.
Brave Attempts at Rescue.
John Taylor Of Camden was among
those who went overheard with, the cars.
but he kicked in window of the rear
car and swan to the piling Of the bridge
where he held fast until brayely res.
cued by j. r Deford, a railroad man,
nearby when the accident happened.
Charles Kessler, a local merchant, was
the first to arrive at the spot aud dis
ulayed a cool head. He got an axe.
Jumped to the top Of submerged car
and began to hack into the roof to
liberate the imprisoned passengers. ar
kt,f
many under the circumstances 1t il
believed, however that he did get some
OF the women ~ q. Smith of Newiieid
and A. r. Kelly Of Jeffersonyille, n, H.
who were passengers on the Inflated
train. got off at Pleasantyillc for no
other reason than that, something told
them To change their minds about COM
ING to Atlantic City. They heard Of
The accident afterwards and came over,
thankful that they did change their
minds.
n is doubtful if more than a hall
DOZEN persons escaped from the forward
coaches. One heroic and almost miracu.
Ions escape from the first coach, is that
of David S Enley Of Camden. EnIey
reached Atlantic City suffering from
bruises. carrying in his lacerated arms
an eight -year-old girl, Helen Gilbert, al
so of Camden.
Az the first intimation Of danger Fin.
lev leaped to the platform taking the
child with him. As the coach plunged
downward he sprang into the water and
by tremendous effort succeeded IN get.
ting ashore with the little one.
Soon Sank Out Of Sight.
The cries of the imprisoned passengers
as the coaches plunged into che water
did not last long and when the tops
of the first two cars disappeared from
view not sound more was heard from
them.
The living at once began the rescue
OF those yet imperiled in the last coach
Most of the passengers in this coacl
were able to help themselves, and viii
the arrival Of assistance from the city
they were removed and hurriedly taket
70 hospitals. On the roof Of the last
car the rescuers found Conductor Cur,
lis slnost cFazed with terror. He wa
bleeding from cuts on the head and wa
otherwise injured When able 70 talt
Ne could give 40 clear story Of what
happened Eighty eight full fare tick
cts we're found in his pockets and from