The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-01
WHOLE CITY MOURNS
SlackenS Business Activities
to Express Grief.
RELIEF FUND IS SUGGESTED
Commissioner mcfarland Thinks
Possibly Some of the Bereft or
Those Injured in the Wreck Way
Need Assistance-New Years Fes-
tfvftIeS May BE Abandoned.

The sense of shock and horror, caused
by the demoIishing of the train at Terra
Gotta station Sunday night and the huri-
ing of nearly three score souls into
eternity without warning. gave place yes
terdav 10 a general and depressing sad
ness. which found various avenues Of ex-
preston as the day wore away
Many of those killed or terribly wounded
had scores Of relatives and friends in
Washington. to whom the tragedy came
home with telling force. accentuatinB the
uncertainty of human life and the re-
morseless cruelty with which the grim
reaper many times gathers his own.
A drug clerk in one OF the uptown
pharmacies was seen gazing sadly out Of
the window. and in reply to greeting
said that nothing in his life had ever
given him greater sorrow. He said that
he had met Dr. Belt only "A few hours
before the wreck and had "A pleasant talk
with him. They had planned a little eX-
cursion together 10 call on some friends
on New Years Day, and that Dr. Belt
was in the best of spirits, in robust health.
and as happy, apparently. as a man
could be.
His tragic death has spoiled the holt
day for me-" said the clerk. Il shall
make no calls I could not force myself
to take part now in any of the rejoicings
Of the occasion"
This was one among many who said
they had no heart for enjoyment after
what had happened. The sadness Of this
tragedy has measurably cast a pail over
the city. and It is certain that the new
year festivities will be considerably cur
tailed because Of the calamity which has
fallen upon so many families in Wash
ington.
Reception Postponed.
The reception planned for this evening
at the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union Building. in Sixth street northwest.
has been postponed on account Of the
tragedy. II was planned to hold this re-
ception from 4 to o'clock, and prepara-
tions for the event had been practically
completed. but it was thought fitting by
the women in charge to put OF the gale
ties attendant upon such an occasion
while the public thought WAS centered
upon the catastrophe at Terra Gotta.
The Washington Stock Exchange yes
terday, moved by the sentiment Of
humanity. which knows neither riches nor
poverty. and makes all men kin, suspend
ed business for the day by adopting a
resolution. voicing the unanimous express
sion Of the board that the community had
been visited by a calamity SO sudden and
so terrible. that it was meet for the eX-
change TO pause i'm its pursuit Of dollars
and show fitting respect 10 the dead and
the bereft
Everyw here. in the stores. in Offices
wherever men met the killing Of so many
was the chief topic OF conversation, and
the whole activities of the city were tenn
porarily siaCkeued. as men save express
sion 10 the feeling Of sadness which de-
pressed all hearts.
The Board of District Commissioners is
sued an order that all flags on the munich
pal buildings OF the District should Doe
placed az half-mast in token Of mourning
for the lives lost I'm the disaster, 90 re-
main in that position until after the tu-
nerals Of the victims.
Suggests Relief Fund.
President mcfarland, of the Bpard OF
Commissioners. suggested the possibility
that a fund for the relief OF some of the
bereft families or those wounded in the
wreck might be needed The Commits
sioner suggested that if any such cases
were revealed the authorities should be al
once informed, so that steps might be
taken for relief.
Commissioner Nacfarland volunteered
to receive subscriptions for such a func
if any one felt inclined 20 make them. say
ing The money could be returned If no ne
cessty for its use should arise
In case any extensive relief should D.,
needed the Commissioner suggested tn,
formation Of a citizens committee q
raise a fund and be charged with its dis
bursement. This was the course pursued