The bee., 1906-03-22

lit mas been aScertalneu lnaL 90 poT-
sons lost their lives in the Rio Grande
wreck. This number was definitely set
tied upon by the summary Of pelvic
bones found, together with the known
number of corpses and fragments.]
Denver, Col, March ia wreck,
accompanied by awful horrors, oc-
CURED at 2:3o a. M, Friday, four miles
east of Florence, Col, and 2S miles
from this city. A binding snow-storm
was raging, at the time. The collision
was headon between two Denver G. Rio
Gfande fast passenger trains-the
Utah California express, No. 8, west
bound from Denver and the Colorado
New Mexico express No. 16, east
bound from Leadville and Grand juno
tion. They met on sharp curve and
were less than 200 yards apart when
the engineers discovered that COLI
sion was imminent.
A Futile Effort.
1t is known that the engineer of the
west-bound train put forth every pos
sible effort to bring his train to a
stop, but his efforts were fruitless,
and although he succeeded in check
ing the speed of his train, the crash
that followed was beyond his power
to prevent, and he went to his death
with his hand on the throttle. faithful
to his charge. This much is vouched
for by his fireman, who, seeing tho
uselessness of remaining in the face
of sure death, jumped and saved him,
self OF the conduct of the entire
crew of the east-bound train it can
only be said that they died at their
post, for no one lives to tell the story
of their heroism.
Fire Swept the Wreck.
The disaster was made more hor.
many of the passengers, variously es-
timated from 20 to 35. Fire swept
over the wreck, sngulfing the victims
In a caldron of flame and leaving only
charred and blackened bones to tell
the tale of slaughter.
Thrilling and Awful Scenes.
During the progress of the fire one
man was seen hang ng from a window.
For Gods sake, save me" he cried,
but the heat was too intense for the
rescuers to reach him He slowly burned
to death before the eyes of the crowd
around the Naming wreck.
A man forced his way into coach
that had received the brunt Of the
shock, and, seeing young girl pinned
under a seat, endeavored to lift her to
= place of safety. AS he raised her the
crf II = oxac M t.
The rescuer dropped his burden and
seized man who was lying under a
mass OF debris. He dragged the man
to clearing in the wreckage, where
other hands carried him to place Of
safety.
This one man was seen to rescue four
different persons from the wreckage
Out of family Of II, named Hewitt,
only two escaped The others were
barned to a crisp.
Many Foreigners On board.
A number of for igners were among
them, and in their terror they gave up
life without making any attempt to
reach safety outside Of the burning car.
Paralyzed with fear and with prayers
upon their lips thy sank to the floor
Of the car and were roasted alive.
Admits Responsibility.
Pueblo, Col, March Us. p. Live
iy, Denver & Rio Grande night opera.
tor at Swallows, admits his responsi-
bility for the collision He was re-
lieved from duty and will stand sus'
pended until the matter is thoroughly
investigated by the officials Lively
said
Il was dead for rest. | went to
sleep and did not give No 16 its or
ders. am responsible for the wreck.
j Will not run away God knows !
wish knew how happened to go to
sleep. had been at work three nights
without rest"