Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-23
Officials of the Railroads Are
Still at a Loss to Know Ex-
actIy How the Accident Took
Place
CARS WERE PACKED
WITH HOLIDAY CROWD
No Chance for Passengers to
Escape-Superintendent of
Transportation Is Heart
broken Over the Tragedy
rRr Assseiatsd Pre.s.)

FORT WAYNE. Ind. Sept 2e.-Thir-
ty-nine is the toll OF the dead ia the
Fort wayne-Bluffton interurban disas-
ter yesterday, so far as the check made
this morning shows While the Off
Gals OF the company refuse to give out
their opinion as to where the RESPONSE
bility lies. rumor fixes the blame with
the crew OF the "speciaf train whlch
was speeding south from Fort Wayne,
empty. II is the report that the crew.
knowing the 'locar' was 10 or more
minutes late, took chances on making a
siding and failed.
There is still some confusion as TO
the names OF the dead. There are In me
hospital In Fort Wayne six injured.
MRS. w. d. BURGAN. Bluffton.
MISS MARGARET TRIBoLET' Blum
ton.
S. A. PARhdURST, Bluffton.
& w. BROWN, Warren, IND
r + CORKWELL. motorman 'spe-
ciar' train.
A. ELLENSBERGER. Berne. Ind
WAS HOLIDAY CROWD.
Practically all of the dead were per-
sons living in the vicinity OF Bluntoh'
IL was a holiday throng bound Tor roEt
WAYNE to attend the state fair. Inc
..Iocal'' was filled to the last seat and
there were several persons in the aisies
or on the platforms. The crash was
without warning. Running at its high
est speed, the empty special sped out
from the woods on curve and plunged
into the local" which also was run
ninx at high speed. There was no
chance for either motorman to prevent
the accident. The local" was torn apart
as one might burst a paper bag II ex-
uloded say witnesses
IT WAS A SLAUGHTER
OF all In the car. probably 81 passen-
gers. scarcely one escaped. II was a
slaughter.
That the blame will be placed is
made apparent by the action OF the In
diana state board OF railroad commits
sfoners.- Within q very short time OF
the accident, Commissioner A A. Shane.
who also Il the special investigator OF
the board, had reached the scene OF the
wreck and had begun interrogating trac-
item officials and witnesses Of the crash.
This morning Mr.. Shane declined 10
make known the results OF his investiga-
ton. saying that It would have to be
given out by the state board.
This morning Superintendent OF Trans
portation Frank l. Hardy sat, heart
broken, in his ONCE I'm Fort Wayne.
In a very short time we VIII be able
10 make q statement" said Mr. Hardy.
placing. so far as we can determine It,
the blame for the terrible wreck. The ex-
tent OF the accident appalls US, yet we
are doing everything in our power to
care for the dead and the injured and 10
alleviate. so far as we may, the anguish
OF relatives Of the victims. We have be-
gun the most careful scrutiny OF train
orders bearing on the case. and on every
bit OF evidence which might tend 20 fix
-. oh
where the responsibility lies"
Around the undertaking establishments
in Bluffton and Fort Wayne and at the
hospitals In this city this morning was
gathered anxious or stricken men and
women. For the most part. the bodies
have been claimedN but in some instances.
where mutilation made Identification diff
dcult or the victim was not actually re-
lated TO anyone in the district. there was
delay and confusion
Among the victims Of the wreck was
Miss Pearl Sayler. a daughter Of Mrs.
Clara Sayler. OF Bluffton. and a sister OF
Banker J. B. Sayler. OF watseka, Ill.
who was shot and killed by DR.. W. r.
Miller year or so ago. For the crime.
which attracted widespread interest. DIR.
Miller and Mrs. Sayler now are serving
prison sentences.
With the death OF Frederick c. Jones.
OF Warren. Ind, in a hospital here this
morning the list Of dead in interuban
disaster yesterday afternoon near Kings
land. Ind. was brought up to 50. Two
others. Miss Margaret Tribolet and F. A.
Parkhurst, both Of Blufrton. brought
here to a hospital. are in a critical con-
dition and not expected to live.
Jones was Is years old and the son of
C. J. Jones, president Of the Warren
bank.