The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-10-30
MANY PASSENGERS
FIND WATERY GRAVE
ELECTRIC TRAIN FALLS FROM
TRESTLE INTO THIRTY FEET
OF WATER BELOW.
Until Oars Are Pulled From Water
> the Exact Number of Dead Will
Not Be Known, But May
Exceed Eighty.

Atlantic City, N. j., Oct 29.-A
railroad accident that was even WORSE
than the Meadow wreck of July 30,
1896, sent about so people to n sud
den death this afternoon, catching
them like rats in a trap. The cars Of
the 1.30 electric train of the West Jer-
sey and Seashore railroad lines due
here at 2.30 jumped the track on the
trcstle bridge over the thoroughfare
and before any one could get out they
were hurled to a watery grave. The
trcstle is about Is feet above the wat
er the drop to the water required
several seconds, giving time for the
passengers, men, women and children
to see and calculate their fate.
The entire city was thrown into a
state of excitement as the news reach
ed town about 2.30 o'clock, few
minutes after the disaster happened.
Fully 5000 people crowded the Mead
ows and the trestle, many relatives
and friends crying out in despair,
asking for loved ones. Chief Of Po-
lice Maxwell had Gordon Of police
SWUNG around the death circle, and
Chief Black Of the fire department
called out his men on an emergency
call and made them police tomporar-
lily.
Seven Bodies Recovered.
There were seven bodies recovered
up to Z o'clock tonight, and the
wrecking train is now at work try
ing to hoist the submerged cars from
the water, where fully 70 dead bodies
must be entombed.
The accident was due to a rail
"turning in." 1t appears that the
rail, which was an outside one on the
right hand Side ourrli"., down. must
have been out of plumb about an
eighth of an inch. The sharp flange
of the electric train caught this and
twisted inwards. Had il spread in
stead of twisting inwards the acci-
dent never would have happened. This
twist threw the first car off the
track, and into the water.
The result was that the second and
third cars were dragged with it, and
while the third car was descending
the rear portion struck a piece of the
abutment, hung for a short time, and
then slid into the water. But this
brief stop saved several lives. A
number of men and few women leap
ed ont Of windows and the rear door
either into the water or caught hold
OF post and were rescued. 1t was
stated that fully 80 to 100 passengers
were aboard, mostly all crowded into
the first and second cars. These are
entombed. Among the passengers
were 90 men Of the Royal Artillery
band, who were. on their way here
from Philadelphia. One or two Of
the bodies Of the bandmen were recov-
cred early in the afternoon,
Vent Down With Train.
Mortorman Scott went down with
his train. Conductor Curtis also
persisted. The third trainman, Brake
man Wood, proved himself a hero.
When the train left the rails and
humping over the ties Wood ran to
the rear door Of the last car, threw it
wide open and held it for the pas
sengers to escape. He held the door
open un'il the car slid off the bridge
and went into the water with it. He
then swan to the shore. His action
in holding the door open probably
saved many lives.
When the third car dropped into
the water Henry Roemer was in the
act of crawling from window. Free
ing himself with an effort and being a
strong swimmer Roemers set about to
help others. Swimming along the side
Of the fast sinking car, he kicked out
the glass and thus gave several pas
sengers an opportunity to escape One
man was caught in a window and was
drowned before he could extricate
himself. .."..
The accident we witnessed by
many people and rescue work waa
prompt. Strong swiml ers endeavcr~
to dive to the sub, yrged cars In