The San Francisco call., 1906-07-03
INQUIRY INTO
BRITISH WRECK
English Board of Trade
Will Apply the
Probe.
Cause of the Accident
Still Remains In
explained.

embalmers are busy tonight and by to-
morrow the majority of bodies of the
score of Americans who lost their lives
in the wreck of the Plymouth express
on Sunday morning will be prepared
for their return for burial in the land
they left so recently in the fullness of
life and hope. Frederick II. Cossitt's
body already has been forwarded to
London on it's way to America.
The inquest today was a prolonged
and tedious formality, which failed ut
terly to give any idea of the cause
of the accident. No questions on that
point were asked and the subject
seemed to be avoided-a strange pro-
ceeding to the many Americans pres
ent, but which Is thought to be due to
the queer Journalism that seems char
acteristic of such cases in this country.
The proceedings were solemn, sad and
monotonous; so much so that specta-
tors surprised a juror by asking what
necessity there was to adjourn the in
quest for fortnight. No answer was
given. The delay is believed to be due
10 the declared intention of the Board
OF Trade to institute an investigation.
1t seems Strange to Americans that
while the population of Salisbury is
shocked by the disaster, practically no
emotion is displayed 1t would seem
as II such accidents were an every day
occurrence, and yet nothing even re-
motely approaching it has heretofore
disturbed the peace of this city. There
have been no scenes, no groans, moth
ing of the picturesquely tragic element
associated with the pit mouth In times
OF trouble so familiar to those in coal
mining regions. There is genuine sor-
row, no doubt. but beyond the formal
expression it has not been translated
into action
NO further deaths have been re-
corded, but Robert S. Critchell of Chi
cago and Miss L. S. Griswold of Boro-
heath passed bad night Miss
Margaret Rask of Norfolk street. Park
Lane. London. whose legs have been
amputated, is in dangerous condition
at the fnfirmary. Mrs. Frank W. Koch
of Allentown. Pa. and Miss May Hitch
COCK of New York passed a fairly good
night and are doing we'll
e. w. Sentell rallied somewhat as the
day advanced, and after consultation
with the doctors the chaplain of the in
urinary was allowed to convey to him
the news of the death of his wife. son
and two daughters. The heartrenGing
tialngs overeame the old man and a Sc
we're relapse ensued, but restoratiyes
We're successfully administered.
Replying to the sympathetic con-
dolences of the American Consul. Mr..
Swain, Mr.. Sentell said II will try to
snow you that | am man. although
have seventy years to bear
The Mayor of Salisbury, in reply to
his message of sympathy to the Amer
lean ambassador. has received the fol-
lowing:
Acknowledging your dispatch.
hasten to express the appreciation of
my Government and of the American
people for the sympathy and aid shown
at salisbury in the terrible accident to
the American boat train
lSigned) WHITELAW REID
This evenings bulletin from the in
hrmary says the cases of r. S. CritcheH
OF Chicago. Miss NJ. Rask of Norfolk
street, Park Lane, London, and Miss L.
). Griswold of Boroheath, England, are
critical. Not much hope is entertained
for the recovery of Mr.. Critchell
Every independent effort to discover
the cause of the accident has thus far
failed, and the officials this afternoon
said they also were in the dark
LONDON, July 2.-David Lloyd
George. president of the Board of Trade,
referred to the railroad disaster at
Salisbury in the House of Commons
this afternoon. He said:
This terrible accident has, I am sure,
evoked the keen sympathy of this
House and nation with the friends and
vivors."
NEW YORK. July "A strange sort
of fatality seems to have attended the
journey from here of those New York
ers who met such an appalling death in
the wreck of the American Line Ex-
press on the London and Southwestern
Railroad at Salisbury, England early
yesterday morning. Forebodings that
some calamity would overtake them
moved the Sentell family party of five
to discuss the subject with friends on
the pier just before they boarded the
steamer, and one of the party remarked
with much solemnity that should the
premonition come true the entire party
would go into eternity together AS a
matter of fact, only one of the five sur
wives the wreck. Again, seven of the
others killed were old acquaintances
and had Travelled abroad. most of them
In years past in each others company.
So strong was this friendship that they
had planned to hold Fourth of July
reunion and celebration in London. But
today only two of the seven are alive
Still another of those whose lives were
lost met his fate solely from devotion |
to his invalid wife.