Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-03
ALL DEAD IN CARS
ReScuers Unable to Reach
Avalanche Victims.
DEATH LIST NUMBERS 81
Workers Themselves in Danger From
Continued Snowslides.
BODIES CUT AND MANGLED
Several Arms and Heads Found by
Diggers in Mass of Wreckage
at Bottom Of Canyon.
DEATH LIST NUMBERS 81
BODIES CUT AND MANGLED

EVERETT. Wash. March 3-Railroad
men who have been at the scene OF the
Wellington avalanche said today the res
cue of any of the persons reported miss
ing would be a miracle, and that all are
almost certainly dead. making the to-
tai eighty-four.
The report that another slide had de-
scended upon the workers is discredted
here. where word would haye been re-
ceived II such a catastrophe had occur
red. 1t is hoped to have the telegraph
line to Scenic Hot Springs restored to-
day.
The rescuers themselves are in per-
ilous position, for the danger from snow
panied by frequent showers are working
havoc with the loose snow, which is eight
cen feet deep on the level, and frequently
avalanches are seen shooting down the
steep slopes. Rumors current last night
that one of these avalanches has buried
the relief parties cannot be confirmed. No
news OF such a disaster has been received
at Skykomish. the nearest telegraph Of
nee TO Scenic, and the Great Northern d.
vision office here has received no word
of il.
Stories of Heroism Told.
Men who made the trip to Scenic last
night and who talked with the survivors
awaiting the relief trains there, bring
back remarkable tales of the heroism dis
played by the survivors, who were so
fortunate as to escape from the avalanche
without serious injury. II. Purcell and
Ira Ciary, two conductors. who extricated
themselves uninjured from the mass OF
snow and wreckage. worked several hours
endeavoring to release the less fortunate
victims. When the two men crawled out
OF the snow they were barefooted but by
some chance they found Purcelrs boots
and socks. Clary put on the socks and
Purcell wore the boots. and together they
dug in the snow searching for the in
jured.
A fireman was held fast near one OF the
wrecked locomotives. The steam from
the engine had melted out big cavern
beneath the snow. While trying TO re-
lease the imprisoned fireman. Purcell fell
into this cavern. He nearly lost his life,
but Clary succeeded in pulling him out.
Clary and Purcell give vivid accounts
OF their experiences. They were asleep in
one OF the vacant mail cars which were
swept off the ledge. but escaped without
serious injury.
Car Split in Twain.
Il thought the end of the world had
come" said Clary. in describing his ex-
periences. The car in which / was
asleep appeared to be picked up and
tossed about like a feather. Then it be-
gan to roll over and tumbled down the
mountain side Suddenly IL hit big tree
and popped open like q she'll When /
came to my senses found myself buried
under six feet of snow. / was clear of
the Wreckage and was able to dig myself
out
Il heard Purcell calling and hurried to
his assistance. / dug him out and then
we started to get the Others out We res
cued several who were Gnhurt and did
what we could to assist those pinned be-
meath the Wreckage.''
According TO the story of the ira inmen
who survived the disaster. the pa -
where the trains were standing at Well
Ington was believed to be the safest on
that part of the line. In former years no
snowslide had ever reached that place
and 1t was selected for that reason.
Mrs. Shelton, wife Of the night telegraph
operator at Wellington, and Mrs Bob
Miles, wife Of an engineer. were aroused
by the noise of the avalanche and worked
diligently caring for the wounded until
the doctors and nurses came on the first
relief train.
w. r. Ballet, who keeps the hotel at
Wellington, was besieged by a score OF
half-naked, bleeding men who asked for
clothes to wear SO that they might go
back in the cold and join in the rescue
work
DR.. Cox, a Great Northern physician.
who returned from Wellington last night
with three Of the survivors, Ray Forsyth,
r. NJ. Lavelle and Fireman S. A. Bates.
aster. According to DR.. Cox, most or
the injured were only slightly hurt. Six
teen of them were taken to Wellington
and are now in temporary hospital
One survivor regarded the sensation as
similar to that felt when on a storm
tossed ship at sea-
A storm was raging and the lightning
flashed necessarily at the time OF the
catastrophe. The men who succeeded in
extricating themselves from the wreck
carried on relief work by the electrio0
flashes.
Snow Dyed With Blood.
The exact number OF dead will not be
known for weeks-not until the snow,
which is over forty feet deep. in the can
yon has melted Workmen digging in
the snow and wreckage report the find
ing Of dismembered bodies. severed arms
and hands. Frequently the first intima-
ton that they are digging near body
comes from uncovering a large patch OF
blood-red snow.
Undertakers' supplies and more men
were sent upon relief train early today.
The bodies will be embalmed and kept
at Wellington until the railroad line is
open. as 1t is impracticable to bring them
on sledges.
POSTAL CLERKS KILLED.