The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1906-10-29

Atlantic City, n. j.. Oct. 29.-Fifty
seven passengers on the West Jersey
and Coast Electric railroad were hurl-
cd to a watery grave Sunday after
noon when the entire train plunged
from trestle over the Thorough
fare" body of water separating
Atlantic City from the mainland.
The train. composed OF three cars
well filled with mostly women and
children fell is feet and was almost
instantly submerged in 20 feet of
water.
There we're about so passengers on
the train and many escaped through
the heroic actions OF some OF the
train crew and passengers. Nearly
all OF those who escaped we're more
or less seriously injured and are suf-
fering greatly from shock.
Outside Ran "Turned In"
The accident was due to rail
turning in" The rail which wa an
outside one, was on the right hand
side coming down and must have been
out OF plumb about an eighth Of an
inch. The sharp fange OF the electric
train caught this and twisted II In
wards.
This twist threw the first car of
the track, and into the water. The
second and third cars we're dragged
with II. and while the third car was
descending the rear portion struck
the abutment. hung for a short time.
then slid into the water.
But this brief stop saved severs'
lives Several men and few women
leaped out OF the windows and the
rear door into the water. caught hold
Of post and were rescued.
Royal Artillery Band Lost.
Among the passengers were 20 men
Of the Royal Artillery band on 'hei-
way here from Philadelphia. One Or
two bodies of the band men We're re-
covered early in the afternoon.
Charles kessler, merchant here
who was In the forward car. secured
an axe and began to hack the door
open to llberate the imprisoner pas
sengers. The task was difficult but
he managed to get some women out
The man who attends the bridge.
declares that the bridge was opened
three minutes before the train came
along. A yacht passed through. He
SAYS that the bridge was properly
closed and the tracks Inspected. He
cannot explain why the rails twisted.
Motorman Scott stuck to his post
and went down with the train.
Brakeman Wood proved hero.
When the train left the rails he ran
to the rear door and held II open for
the passengers until the ear slid OF
the bridge. He went into the water
with It. then swan ashore. His action
probably saved many lives.
When the car dropped Henry Roe
mer. crawling from a window, swan
alongside the fast sinking cars,
kicked out the window glass and
thus gave several an opportunity to
escape. One man was caught In the
window and drowned before he could
be extricated,
Another Heroic Escape.
One instance of heroic, almost
miraculous escape from the first car
Is the case Of David S. Enley. Of
Camden. Enley reached Atlantic City
carrying in his lacerated arms ten
year-old Helen Gilbert, also of Cam
den. At the first intlmation Of dan
ger Finley leaped to the platform TAX
ing the child with him. AS the coach
plunged he sprang into the water and
succeeded In swimming ashore with
the little one.
The man best able to tell what
caused the accident is Daniel b.
Stewart, chief bridge tender. Stewart,
however, is In no condition to talk.
Horror has temporarily bereft him OF
reason. He Il 65 years old.
The train, madh up of three heavy
vestibule coaches of the. newest type,
electrically equipped, left Camden
at O'Clock Sunday afternoon. The
coaches we're comfortably filled, wo
men and children being In the major
ity- No passengers in the third car
Was killed but every one was injured.