The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-02-18

New York, February H.lTwenty dead, two fatally and 145 others more or less seriously injured, is the result of the wreck of an electric express train on the New York Central railroad at Two Hun dred and Fifth street and Webster ave- nue last night Of the large number of in- jured, fifty are, according to hospital and police reports, seriously hurt, and the death list may be increased within the next twenty-four hours.
 Most of the others are suffering from decorations and shock and will recover.
 This was day of Investigation and in- quiry by representatives of the district attorneys office, the coroner and the po- lice. When daybreak came the police lists of dead had increased to eighteen an hour afterwards there were two more deaths reported. and tonight 1t is believed two additions will be added to the list
 The cause of the wreck k still a matter of speculation. All night Inspector Flood of the police department Coroner Schw- anecknock and Assistant District Attor- ney Smythe, together with other members of the district attorneys office. looked over the scene and sought to determine the cause of the derailment of the train. The result of their investigation may be- come known when the inquest Is held to- morrow by the coroner.
 Wreckage Cleared.
 The wreckage was completely cleared away today. All four tracks of the New York Central through the rocky cut where the train left the rails, and several of the cars which went to pieces, had been cleared.
 At the Webster Avenue Police station late today, lay eleven mangled bodies, three of them unidentified. One was so badly crushed that Identification seemed impossible, except through the clothing. All day stream of people passed through this temporary morgue, many leaving in tears after having found some friend or relative in the gruesome row.
 Tonight the line of persons seeking to identify the remaining bodies continued.
 With the clearing of the wreckage inter est turned to what the authorities might do Perhaps the most significant statement of the day was the one made to the As- sociated Press by Coroner Schwaneck- mock. He had secured a statement from Motorman Rogers of the wrecked train. In this, according to the coroner. the mo- torman had made a statement that he was running on scheduled time when the
 
 speed of his train was seventy miles an hour Rogers said the coroner declares that he did not know anything was wrong until an eighth of mile beyond the place of derailment. The coroner said to the Associated Press today:
 Spreading Rails.
 Tt appears to me that spreading of the rails caused the disaster. I think that one of the motors hit section of the track with force enough to cause 1t to jump off The smoker followed and swung the cars following completely off the track, breaking the coupling. When the rear cars broke loose, they ran wild for a distance and finally turned over"
 The smoker showed but little damage, but the other cars gave evidence of the drag along the roadbed. The combination car, called by the coroner the power car was scorched in the center, and one end, probably having caught fire from the lighting gas after the wreck The other two cars were badly smashed on their right sides. Windows were gone, seats torn up and curtains ripped in pieces Great dirty streaks marked where they had sl<idded along the third rail, and then upon the ground. and the slips the right side were torn away
 When the wreck occurred the three rear coaches. completely filled with pas sengers, were thrown on their right side, just above sharp curve at WoooiaWn road bridge People were hurled violently from their seats. and the most of those who were killed were pitched through the windows as the cars slid on their sides The third rail held for time. but finally broke with a flash and roar seen and heard for a great distance. Between the wreck of the current rail and the main track the bodies were wedged They were held here as the car passed along. and in this way terribly mangled.
 The relic hunter was much in evidence today. and this probably gave rise 10 the stories of ghoulish work. The police guarded the wrecked cars all day, but with daylight large number or persons managed to work their way 10 the coaches and cut out pieces of cushions. curtains and carpeting even taking bits of glass from the broken windows