The morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, August 13, 1887, Image 1
< ESTABLISHED 1850. 1
( J. H. ESTILL, Editor and Proprietor, f
GHASTLY INJTIE EXTREME.
No Doubt that the Death List
Will Exceed 100.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE STILL A
MYSTERY.
Officials of the Road Incline to the
Theory that Human Hyenas Applied
the Torch—The Living and Dead
Stripped of their Valuables by a Band
of Ghouls-Sickening Sights in the
Charnel Houses -Heartrending Suf
ferings of the Injured—Wild Excite
ment all Along the Line.
Chicago, Aug. 12.—A special to the
Times from Forest, 111., says: The coro
ner’s inquest on the bodies of those killed in
the disaster Wednesday night, which began
last evening, was held on the top floor of
the public school house. Thor# were present
only tho coroner, the jury, President Leon
ard of the Toledo, Peoria and Western rail
road, Supt. Armstrong of the same road,
Master of Bridges Markiey, Justice of the
Peace Estes and several reporters of Chicago
and Peoria papers. The first witness called
was Supt. Armstrong, He testified that he
was on the ill-fated train, which consisted
of six sleeping cars, two chair cars, live pas
senger coaches, one special car and
one baggage car, and was drawn by engine
No. 13, Engineer MeClintoek and Fireman
Applegreen, and engine No. 21, Engineer
Ed Southerland. Engine Mo. 13 was next
to the baggage car. The name of the fire
man of engine No. 21 the witness did not
recollect. His car was next to the baggage
car. The train left Chatsworth about 11:46
o’clock Wednesday night. After leaving he
went into his own car and sat there for
three or four minutes, when he felt a fear
ful shock to the train. The next instant the
car passed over the burning bridge. He
was thrown out of a window into a hedge
fence.
RUSHING FOR HELP.
He got up and asked the fireman where
the first engine was, and was told that
Engineer Southerland had gone to Gilman
for help. The engineer came in about three
quarters of an hour with doctors. The
wounded were taken out of the wreck where
possible and sent to Chatsworth and Piper
City, while all of the dead were sent to
Chatsworth. The bridge was only partially
demolished when the w'itnesse (irst saw it,
the stringers at both ends having gone
down. Dirt and brush were thrown on the
ttamas. The engine set fire to nothing, and
only one car and a Pullman sleeper were
slightly burned. The wiuess met the section
foreman near the wreck after the occur
rence, and the latter said he went over the
section at 5:30 o’clock Wednesday and there
was no fire there then. The witness had
warned him to have the section hands go
over the section after quitting work, know
ing that the excursion train was going over
the road that night. No train went over
the bridge after 5:30 o’clock Wednesday.
The witness counted the tickets before
reaching Chatsworth and found that there
v ere a few over <IOO persons on the train.
He said he believed there were only three or
four dead persons in Piper City. The w it
ness did not think it. possible that any body
could have been so fiendish as to burn the
bridge.
THE DISCOVERY OF THE FIRE.
The train was running, he judged, about
thirty-five miles an hour at the time of the
aecident. Engineer Southerland told him
that he saw a very small blazeliefore reach
ing the bridge, but thought it was a few
loaves burning outside the track. The
engineer also wild him that he did not see
the fire until he got directly over the bridge
and then he called for brakes, but
it was too late to avoid the
accident. The witness remained at
the wreck until 7 o’clock in the morning and
saw to the handling of bodies. He saw one
or two persons examining the pockets of the
dead. He was informed by those making
the search that they were seeking for their
relatives. If he had had any suspicion that
bodies were being rifled by the.se persons
it would have been averted by the way
in which the searchers answered him. lie
saw no one robbing the dead or cutting off
the Augers of the dead to secure rings.
There vus plenty of help to get the bodies
out of the wreck, valuable assistance being
louden si by the Chatsworth tire company.
In the corn Held near the wreck he heard
a man calling, “Help,” “help.” The wit
ness went toward the place and found a
man with his left, leg broken above the
ankle, 'i he man asked him to turn his toes
down. The witness did so, and told a
farmer’s boy who came along with a bucket
of water to stay near the man v\bile the
witness went to the assistance of others. In
w #w minutes after leaving him, the wit
ness heard a shut, and turning nack found
that the man had shot himself in the fore
head, producing instant death. The boy
had meanwhile gone away a short distance
to give water to another wounded person.
The witness remembered having noticed the
and censed trying to get something out of his
pocket while the witness was turning his
toes inward.
SOLIDITY OF THE BRIDGE.
J. H. Morkley, master of bridges and
buildings of the Toledo, Feorin and Western
road, testified that he inspected the bridge
in May last. It wus made of two pile bents,
lour pilings to each bent, it was 13 fuel
loir; anil H feet high. Tin: stringent wore 7
by 10 inches, two of them being under each
rail. Tuo ti<* were H' by H inches
and si foet long. The .stringers, ties
and guard rails were put in
fourteen months ago. The piling was good
for about two years. There was a wall of
eld timbers at each end of the bridge to
keep up the embankment. Its condition
was good. The witness examined the bridge
yesterday and found nothing left but part
of the partially burned curb and a few
Pieces of small timber. The piles were
burned off close to the ground. Three or
four of them were sticking up two feet
above the ground. The witmus thought it
"on Id take a 1 suit two hours tor such a
{•ridge to hum. Other bridges on road
bad been on fire this year
but ha 1 bum s ".i in (inn to prevent aoci
dents. Thd burn oil bridge wus about two
'mien and a half east of Chatsworth. At
this point the inquest was adjourned until
to-day.
cari.no for thk wounded.
Another special from Forest to the 'Timm
M y,: As fast as the wouuded wore brought
into Chatsworth from tlie wreck they were
taken directly to tho town hall, which had
been turned into a temporary
hospital. It is a two-story
• rame building, the lower floor of which is
used as quarters for the local (ire company,
while in the up|>or hull entertainments are
Riyen. I lists und cot* were brought in from
neighboring houses, together with the
neeewu y bedding and the sufferer* wore
cared for by loving hands. The floor of the
hall greatly resembled that of the drill
room of the Uespltiinn* street police station
in Chicago on tho night of the Huyinarket
Hot, Torn and bleeding human beings in nil
fljje Jttafning
the different stages of suffering lay around
the room, moaning and crying in agony,
while doctors and nurses were binding up
thoir wounds. Bloody clothing, torn anu
covered with mud, lay around on tiie floors
m heaps, together with the car cushions,
mattresses and blankets, on which they had
been brought from the scene of the wreck.
Many patients were under the influence of
ether or chloroform, while their faces,
ghastly white and teeth tightly clenehod,
showed the sufferings w hich they were un
dergoing while partially oblivious to the
fact. Blood was everywhere—on the floors,
walls, clothing and hands of the
wounded, as well as those who
were caring for them. As the day
wore away and the afternoon shadow's
lengthened into evening the scenes changed
somewhat. Tho wounded had been dressed
aud bandaged, and most of them rested
quietly enough, overcome by mental and
physical suffering, resting on comfortable
beds, watched by tender-hearted men and
women, a majority of whom had never seen
the patients until yesterday. They slept
oblivious to the slaughter which had taken
place.
LIKE A BATTLEFIELD HOSPITAL.
Coal oil lamps were placed around the
hall, their light carefully shaded, and the
scene was strongly suggestive of the interior
of a hospital on a field of battle. In one
corner of the lower hall lay John C. Steer,
a resident of Jersey City, a large and pow
erful man. Both of his legs were broken
and he had received such internal injuries
as rendered his recovery doubtful. Adam
Shoeberger, of Peoria, lav near him, semi
conscious and slowly breathing his life
away. One of his legs was broken
and he was injured internally.
On the upper floor a handsome woman
aliout 20 years of age, stylishly dressed, lay
extended on a couch. She was Miss Hattie
Brennen, of Farmington, 111., and was on
her way to Niagara Falls with several rela
tives. In the party was a young man
named Walters, also of Farmington, and to
whom she was engaged to be married. He
had been badly injured and lay near her on
a bed attended by a couple "of surgeons.
While Miss Brennen was physically unhurt,
yet the fright and knowledge of her lover’s
injuries has rendered her insane.
THE IMPROVISED MORGUE.
In the depot at Chatsworth and in an
unoccupied store used as a morgue the
scene was suggestive of a slaughter house.
Stretched out on the floor in different direc
tions were the corpses of men, women anil
children, dressed in the clothing in which
they had met their death. In an empty
storeroom, twenty feet wide and forty feet
long were counted twenty-seven corpses at
one time. Their clothing was tom and dis
hevelled and their stiffened arms and hands
in a majority of cases were crossed over
their breasts. The heads of the dead were
generally mangled in a most frightful man
ner and were always covered by some article
of clothing.
The face of a young woman who was ly
ing on the floor of the depot had been so
beaten in that recognition was entirely out
of the question, and her hrains and the flesh
of her face were a pulpy mass in which
dabbled her long red hair. She was not
identified.
A man with a heavy dark moustache,
and who was apparently about 35 years
of age, had been struck in the face by some
substance which had torn away his jaw and
the side of his face, leaving the throat and
lower part of his face exposed.
A 5 year-old boy with a chubby face and
curly hair looked contented and smiling.
His legs were not broken, but his flesh was
so mangled that it bore the appearance of
raw beef. His chest was crashed in and his
little body was covered with bruises. Nearly
every corpse was mangled or disfigured
The faces of some of the dead were as black
as though they hail died from suffocation,
while others were deadly white.
A dispatch from Springfield, 111., says:
“The Board of Railroad and Warehouse
Commissioners will go to Chatsworth to-day
and conduct an investigation of the wreck
of yesterday morning.”
AWAKENING CHATSWORTH.
Another dispatch from Forest says: “The
news of the disaster arrived at Chatsworth
about forty minutes after its occurrence.
The peaceable residents of the little town
were suddenly awakened by an alarm
which was ringing simultaneously from all
the alarm boxes in town. After a few min
utes everybody was on his or her feet, and
people were running through the streets
from all directions, all inquiring where the
fire was. When the actual facts were
learned another alarm followed which was
soon vigorously re-echoed by the bills
of all the churches in town. The
people made a rush for the roads to
Piper City. Dr. Vaughn, of Chatsworth,
was the first to appear at the scene. He
was seen bv a reporter and told briefly what
ho saw. When I arrived I found ttie great
est confusion, he said. Hell itself could not
present a more horrible picture—men and
women fighting with death and ready to
clutch at a straw to be saved. One man
held his dead wife and a dead lit
tle child in his arms while his
own fret were broken and caught in the
wreck. I relieved the unfortuate man of
his burden and helped to drag him out and
bring him to a sleeper. One of the greatest
misfortunes was the fact that the wreck
took place almost in a desert. It was impos
sible to accord the wounded sufficient assist
ance. There were no ambulances and
nothing to -carry them on. Thoy were
dragged and pushed and this accounts for
the great number of people who succumbed
to their wounds.”
THE FIRE MARSHAL’S STORY.
Fire Marshal Henry H. Game, of Chats
worth, says he was one of the first
to arrive at the scene. “I had no
time to observe anything that trans
pired around me.” he said. “Myself nnd
my entire force were working like beavers
a| i the time, and in the course of half an
hour wo hail thirty-three people, killed and
wounded, dragged out of the debris. Four
cars were standing on the track and tbe
only tiling I knew about thorn is that I
carried wounded men and women there.”
Tho following names have been added to
the list of deoil since last night: Mrs. Dr.
Duckett, of Forest: Mrs. A. ft. Croswell, of
Kankakee; J. D. Whiteridge, of Franklin,
Noi.; K. I). Brass, of Poona; Mrs. John
Voorhees. of Washington, ill.; Miss Mamie
Powers, of Peoria, Mrs. Rev. fiaymill, of
Abingdon: James Blair, of Eureka; Arthur
McCarthy, of Eureka.
PRESIDENT LEONARD’S SUSPICIONS.
President E. F. Leonard, of the Toledo,
Peoria and Western Company, said to a re
porter of the Times that ho hail made a
careful, but necessarily brief, investigation
of the Occident und is >uld in no way ac
count for it, unlinh on the presumption that
the bridge was set on flro deliberately by
(lends for the purpose of wrecking
the train and robbing tho (mssengers.
To say that he deplored the accident, but,
faintly expressed his feeling*. President
lysward came from Springfield in tho
afternoon, accompanied by Col. John
.Stephens, general solicitor of the road.
When tbe tiody of Edwin K. Adams was
searched by ono of Ills friends, noither
his pocket book nor his gold watch and
chain could lie found. Although he was
known to have started on tho trip with a
large snui of money, the only cash round on
his person was s#), which lie had in the
watch pocket of his trousers
A TERRIBLE SIGHT.
An eye witness who reached the wreck in
SAVANNAH, GA„ SATURDAY, AUGUST 13. 1887.
the morning says; “The sight of the dead
and wounded lying in the adjacent fields
was horrible. Sly friend counted ninety
seven dead liodios at noon yesterday, and
the wreck was not nearly cleared away.
They were lying in little hehps of
about n dozen, all having been killed
in a different manner. Throe-fourths of the
dead never knew what killed them. It was
a sight I never want to look upon again.
There were young ladies in pic
nic dress with their white skirts
saturated with blood, and the front of their
faces mashed beyond recognition. One
young looking mother had held her baby in
her arms, when a timber striking the child
in the back, impaled both victims in instant
death. The mother’s face did not bear a
scratch, but the expression upon it will
haunt me to my grave. I was sick when I
returned from trie catastrophe last night.
It would make any man sick.
AT THE PEORIA DEPOT.
“The depot at Peoria was surrounded by
5,(W0 people, all waiting for news from the
wreck, ’flic switch yards had, been cleared
of cars, and along between the rails stood
rows of cots to receive the dead and wounded
as they were brought in. Near these cots
were backed up perhaps 100 covered wagons,
and beyond the wagons stood 150
soldiers to keep the crowd back.
A committee of 100 citizens
wearing crape were stationed at the cots to
take care of the victims. All Peoria is in
fears. There were scores of her best citi
zens on that train, among them being many
young ladies. Everybody says it was tho
jolliest party that ever started on an excur
sion. They were as merry as school chil
dren. Hundreds had been to tho train to
see their friends depart, but thous
ands were there to take their
dead bodies away on the return.
THE RAILROAD OFFIC IALS CONDEMNED.
“The action of the railroad officials after
the accident was condemned by almost
everybody. Hundreds of people got as far
as Forest on their way to the wreck, but
had to walk the rest of the distance —six
miles. The officials rode up and down the
tracy, and a few slow-going trains
brought in the dead, but the wounded
and dying were left on the
ground, with no relief except that which
their partners in grief could give them.
They lay in the muddy fields all night, with
the rain beating down, while their groans
and cries went up in vain. As fast as the
baggage could tie taken from the cars, no
matter whose it was, it was torn open and
dresses and shirts appropriated for
bandages to dress the wounds of the
suffering. After tho physicians anil nurses
had finished with the trunks thieves rifled
t hem and carried off what was valuable.
“I myself,” said Mr. Church, the speaker,
“saw the head, shoulders and arms of a
young woman hanging from a car window,
and a man went up and began stripping the
rings from her dead fingers. Some of the
passengers interfered and made him desist.”
THE PECUNIARY LOSS.
Chicago, Aug. 12, 10 p. m —A Chigago
Times Forest, 111., special says: Tho pecu
niary loss arising from the accident is sim
ply enormous. Under the laws of Illinois
the relatives of those killed in the disaster
will, if they have any claim at all, deplete
the Treasury of the Toledo, Peoria and
Western of something like $350,000,
and those injured would receive at least a
quarter of a million more. The Railroad
Commissioners were at the scene of the dis
aster to day, and will endeavor to locate the
exact cause of the occurrence. The task is
no easy one, but the officers of the State
are clothed with full authority to investi
fate all persons and )>apers and report.
hey laid the foundation of an examination
to-day and will resume operations in Peoria
Tuesday. It is bound to make a great big
law suit, one that will furnish new precedents
nnd rulings on the law of common carriers.
The Coroner’s jury is still pegging away.
There are some scores of witnesses yet to be
examined and the railroad board will make
an investigation on its own account. The
matter will probable not be adjusted for ten
years to come.
THE LATEST ON THE DEATH LIST.
All manner of speculation is heard here
as to the number of dead. The Coroner
says he can l account for seventy-seven
bodies, and believes there are no more in
the wreck. The latter part of
the statement is unquestionably
true, but the latest and most
reliable advices swell the number of fatali
ties to over eighty. The railroad people
have agents at work collecting information
as to the number and residences of the
dead and wounded. Many were taken
away from Chatsworth and Piper
City early yesterday morning before the
extent of their injuries was made known.
Some of these have, it is said, died to-day.
The railroad people say that eighty-seven
have already < lied and thirteen more are in
a critical condition. It is understood that
the company will to-night, through its gen
eral offices at Peoria, furnish
to the public a complete list of
the dead, wounded and missing. Unless
this is done the general public will never
know the full extent of the calamity. The
bodies of the victims, nearly all of wounded
and the personal effects of the passengers,
are no longer in Chatsworth and Piper City.
All efforts to accurately ascertain the iden
tity of the sufferers up to this time have
been unavailing. The Coroner himself is at
sea with his figures, nnd now intimates
that he may possibly have under
estimated the full extent of tho disaster.
The railroad officials alone can enlighten
the public on this point. The newspapers
are powerless, as numerous bodies and
wounded people were removed before any
of the correspondents arrived in Chats
worth.
CLEARING THE TRACK.
Chatsworth. 111., Aug. 12.—At 7
o’clock this morning Master Mechanic War
ren, with u wrecking train and a large force
of men, were at work. Mr. Warren was
confident the track would be cleared for
trains by noon. They were certain all thfi
bodies had been removed from the wreck.
A special car with officials of the Wabash
road reached the wreck early this morning
and tendered the use of their wrecking out
fit and offered to be of any service possible.
The Illinois Central also offered any re
quired assistance, but Mr. Warren said
he thought his present equipment
would enable him to clear the
track. President Leonard, Supt.
Armstrong, and other Toledo, Peoria ami
Western officials, were seen this morning.
They have given devoted attention to tho
relief of the injured and care of tho dead.
Both show signs of the terrible shock which
the accident has been to them. President
Leonard said so far ns the railroad officials
could estimate there were aliout eighty
killed and 100 seriously wounded. There
are many who were slightly injured, of
whom no record has yet lieen obtained. A
list is being compiled in the Peoria offices of
the company. President Leonard said that
a* near as he could ascertain the train was
making about thirty miles an hour ut the
time of the accident, not an excessive rate
of speed, as the track was in good condi
tion.
THE BRIDGE.
The bridge, an ordinary fifteen foot
wooden structure, was all right, at 5 o'clock
in the nfternoon, when a train passed over
it, and half an lour later the section men
in*(ectod it, under orders, in advance of the
excursion train. It was all right then. As
to the liability of tbe company or the future
of the road, the President could uotsav. The
first thing the officials did was to
direct their attention to tho care of the un
fortunate victims. It was a How which
would, of course, l>e most serious to the
road, but that was as nothing compared
with the death and injury to human beings.
President leonurd said he could
in due conseienco say ho believed
the road had provided every
reasonable and customary safeguard. With
the consent of the coroner, President Leon
ard arranged that all unclaimed bodies
should be eared for, washed and placed in cof
fins and conveyed to Peoria, where, with all
their effects, they will wait identification.
The bodies will he left there as long as pos
sible and then if not identified will be
buried.
THE HORRORS DEEPENING.
The horrors of the wreck seemed deepen
ing early this morning instead of lessening.
Added to the pitiable spectacle of the dead
and the miseries of the dying a stench sick
eningly foul was issuing from nil the
numerous places where the corpses of vic
tims yet remained. No picture of the hor
rible occurrence immediately succeeding
the accident could eoual in terrible details
the scene at the Toledo, Peoria and Western
depot to-day. The west end of the little
structure is a coal house and lumber room,
where, promiscuously stretched on the floor
in t he coal and rubbish, were seven unidenti
fied Is wiles, blood-stained and bedraggled.
Hheets and Mankots wore thrown loosely
over each, but afforded but little protection
from the swarms of flies which were con
tinuously hovering over them. The odor
emanating from the Hslies effectually kept
the room clear of all but the hardiest
crowds. Two of the victims were women,
and the sight of their faces was one never to
be forgotten.
GHASTLY IN TIIE EXTREME.
The distorted features, wide-staring eyes
anil putrefying wounds were gaze l at but
an instant, even by those looking for a miss
ing father or daughter. In a few hours one
of them, a young woman with light, reddish
hair, would be absolutely unrecognizable
from the effects of the heat.. Close by her,
raised above the other corpses in
tho room, was the dead body of a
portly man supported on a couple of old
boxes. He was in his stocking feet and
coatlees, and was rapidly decaying. Other
dead men on the floor were in nearly as bad
condition. Outside on the platform of the
depot were several coffins filled with
those identified during the night,
and now awaiting shipment. The east end
of the depot was in even worse confusion
than the west. Tiie floor continued strewn
with unclaimed baggage in an inextricable
mix. Little knots of (oople were poring
over the broken satchels and masses of
soiled and torn linen and trumpery, bring
ing to light here a little infant’s garment and
there the crumpled remains of a widow’s tx>n
net. A little down the road is a large vacant
furniture store in which thirteen corpses
were festering. Only six of them wore men.
The others were women and children Most
of the thirteen had not yet been recognized
by friends, and their countenances were so
mutilated and their clothing so drabbled wit h
dirt and blood that it is doubtful if they ever
can be identified. One pretty little woman,
terribly mangled, lav motionless beside
a babe toward which site was partly turned.
Across the room was a stalwart mail ujion
his back dead, but with his right arm still
raised in agony ami his fist tightly clenched.
Over in the big school house two more
corpses were still uncoffined waiting claim
ants. Wounded to the number of 4f) filled
the fire engine house, up stairs and down,
and the same faithful ladies and girls who
had scarcely slept since tho wreck
w'ere at the bedsides. In addi
tion to those there were at toast
a score of injured distributed among the
private residences of the town too badly
hurt to lie moved. A few hours had scarcely
elai>sed, however, when the aspect of the
depot and other morgues was completely
transformed. A large force of men was set
at work boxing up the dead, forwarding
them to Peoria and clearing out generally.
They succeeded admirahly, and before noon
had appearances so changed that a chance
visitor in Chatsworth could scarcely have
believed it tho city of horrors that it was
last night and this morning. The list of
killed, so far as is known up to noon to-day,
foots 156, of whom 63 are from Peoria.
THE WORK OF FIENDS.
Sensational features were developed this
morning as to the cause of the wreck. Ru
mors were afloat last night that it was due
to robbers, who fired the briilge, but little
credence wns given them. This morning
new facts, apparently showing the catas
trophe to be the work of an organized band,
came to light, and the company
find them worthy of serious investigation.
Supt. Armstrong said to an Associated
Press reporter that the more lie investigated
the more it appeared to him that the bridge
hail been set on fire. The burned grass in
its immediate locality was not of a nature
that seemed likely to admit of the bridge
catching from it. He hail observed many
thieves at work, and h.ul stopped them
while despoiling the wreck of property and
money. Instances of the robbing of the
dead were lining brought to bis attention.
The excursion had been extensively adver
tised, and the time it would pass over the
bridge was well known. The citizens say
that a gang of suspicious fellows have
been loitering around Chatsworth for
some ilays. Many of these
were found early at tho r reck,
paying more attention to relieving bodies of
their valuables than to caring for them
otherwise. The trainmen and passengers
hail frequent contention with the vandals.
In one instance Htipt. Armstrong found a
well known thief in the depot room where
the property taken from the wreck was
stored. While the people of the town have
done all in their power for the sufferers,
there is a horde of tramps and thieve* in
this vicinity who do nothing but carry off
everything they can lay thoir hands on.
THE TRACK HAD BEEN INSPECTED.
At tbe morning session of tiie Coroner’s
jury some decidedly significant testimony
was given. Timothy Coughlan. section
foreman here, testified that ho hail four
men helping him on his six and a half
miles. Ho received orders on'Wednesday
to go over ills section and see that the
bridgesand track were all right. Coughlan
went to the east end of his section und
burned the grass along the track for half a
mile. He burned a piece a little over half a
mile from the wreck and put the
fire out. He examined the bridge
about 5 o’clock and found no smoke
aliout it, and otherwise it was all right.
Aliout three weeks ago the grass under the
bridge had been cut away for ten feet from
the bridge timlxTS, and lie bad no idea ho-.v
the bridge could have caught fire. Christo
pher Ennis, the rondinaster for the line from
the State line to Peoria, said he went over
the road Wednesday from Fair bury to Gil
man. He went over the fatal bridge just
before 4 o’clock in tbe afternoon. He was
on the rear end of the car and saw that the
bridge wns all right. There was no fire or
smoke about the bridge. Mr. Ennis said:
“My opinion is that tho bridge was
set on fire by somebody. My train was the
last train over before the special, aud if
there was fire there the men would have dis
covered it. The bridge could have been
burned in two or three hours. About three
year* ugo two attempts wore made to ditch
the 10 o'clock passenger train at that bridgy,
and we kept a watchman there for six
weeks. Obstructions were piled oil tb
track. It is a very lonesome place, far from
any house ”
MORE ROBBERIES CROPPING OUT.
Stories and incidents concerning the dis
aster are coming to light as the excitement
in a measure duis out. More robberies are
becoming known. Miller Patterson, when
he left fi\ yoiniug, his home, carried a silver
watch ana had about S3O in money after
buying his ticket. Only $2 was found on
his body. A man, apparently a tramp, about
50 years of age, was caught in the act of
nibbing a corpse and was spotted thereafter
by a young man, anil made a sneak for
Piper City. For throe hours one woman
was hanging out of a car window, her body
lifeless. She was caught by tho thighs and
it took aliout fifteen minutes to extricate
her. Her legs were horribly mangled and
the flesh torn completely off.
A GHOULISH ACT.
One of tiie most ghoulish acts ever re
corded is going round. A man was getting
out of the cars. Near him during the jour
ney wuls a woman with a fine gold watch
and chain. She was badlv injured and cried
with anguish: “Oh, God, help me!” The
man turned apparently to assist her, but in
stead stooped over, grabbed the watch and
chain and (list.
The wrecking party, who were among
the first to go through the wreck, saw
watches, chains and pocketbooks scattered
around. Such of these as they hail time
they picked up and restored to their owners.
The train wreckers are working
both ways at the wreck and
it is almost certain that they
wifi get the track cleared lieforo to-morrow
night, in the third coach from the engine
was a man with his wife and daughter.
When tho wnx’k occurred he lost, his liand
satchel but afterward found it, but his pock
etbook containing $65 was gone.
A NEW THEORY.
Anew theory has been developed. It is
in effect that at the inquest ail attempt will
be made to prove that there was n fire at
that bridge on the afternoon of the acci
dent. Mr. Dalph, or “old man” Dnlpli, as
he is known here, lives northeast of tho
wreck. His house is about a quarter of a
mile from the wreck, while liis land comes
right up to the bridge. What it
will be attempted to prove by him is that dur
ing tho afternoon he saw smoke rising in
the direction of tho bridge. Knowing how dry
it was and fearful lest his oat* stubbles and
shocks should be burned he went to the place
and found tire around the bridge 11. Ila vis,
who lives a quarter of a mile east will lie
called on to corroborate him.
A LIST OF THE KILLED.
The list of the killed so far us ascertained
at 12 o’clock to-day is as follows:
From Peoria—Miss Pearl Adams, Mrs.
William Allen, Mrs. Pearl Andrews, Mrs.
William Ball and daughter, Mrs. Blandin
and two children, J. Brady, Mrs. 8. B.
Breeze, M. Breeze, Elizabeth Brees, (‘apt
Dahklo, Harbor Master of Peoria,
Peter Itnlke, Mrs. James Deal, Mrs. Fannie
Deal, Mrs. Doty and daughter, Mrs. Ed
wards anil two daughters, Pearl French,
Willium French, Mrs. Ada Gale, Mrs. W.
Garre toon, Mrs. Gersten, E. Gotlel, Go
del, son of E. Godel, Mrs. Kelly, Miss
Kelly, Elsie Mach, Miss Maggie Malvow*
Mra. 11. T. Mann, Edward MeClintoek, En
gineer Eugene MeClintoek and daughter,
Mi's. Marv McEvoy, Mrs. Miller, Miss Mor
ley, Mrs. John Murphy, Rosa Murphy, John
Murphy, L. S. Neil, Mrs. Jennie O’Hhaugh
nessy, Miss Mamie Powers, Phena Phiam.
Sir. Purdy, Sirs. Putney, William
M. Rogan, J. D. Richards, Mrs.
Ida iSauTsbury, Mrs. Bindell, George O.
Smith, T. A. Smith, Con Smith, William
F. Sterns ami two daughters, William
Stevens and two daughters, Mrs. Snedeker
anil soil Frank, Emma Stevens, Ida Stevens,
It. E. Strachan, Trovollo, Elsie, Ulrich,
Mrs. Valdejo and daughter, Mr. W. fi’al
dejo. Miss Julia Valdejo, Mrs. Valentine,
Miss Ada Weiister, R. R. Wright, Mrs.
Wright, Mr. Wright, Mrs. F. B. Wrennette,
Frederick Wrennette, Miss I'earl Wren
nette, Mrs. William Zendel, Mrs. Zimmer
man.
The following dead are from other points:
fill's. Rev. Haymill, of Abingdon, III; Ezra
Sale, of Alta, 111.; Michael ltegan, of Bing
hamton, N. N.; Capt. A. A. Martin, A.
A. Maxten, A. A. Morton, of Bloomington,
III.; J. J. Body, I). A. Green, J. A. Green,
J. F. Kelly, J. S. Kaler, J. S. Kelly, of
Breedsville, 111.; James Shonnan, of Brim
field, 111.; W. H. Potter, of Bushnell,
111.; Noah Havertnore, of Canton III:
Chowda, of Chenoa, III.; Wil
liam Craig, of Cuba, III.; W.
11. Lott, of Elmwood, 111.; Matt Castle,
of Elpaso, 111.; James Blair, Mrs. J. A.
Clay, J. M. Clay, Mania Clay. Maj. Sher
man Laws, Miss Jessie Meeks, Mrs. Judge
Meek, Arthur McCarthy of Eureka, ill;
Emeline Carruthers, of Evans, 111.;
E. J. Adams, of Falrburg, 111.;
Mrs. Dr. Duckett, of Forest, III;
Miss Eva Allen, Mrs. Name Alter, Miss
Minnie Alter, Miss Eva Alter, of Fort Madi
son, la.; J. D. Richardson, J. I). White
ridge, of Franklin, Neb.; I)r. William fil.
Collins, Mr. E. Gode.ll and son, Mrs. Mc-
Clure and child, P. P. fi 7 an Liew, of Gales
burg, III.: William Forbes, of Glen wood,
III; lienry Single and son, of Keokuk, la.;
Gluey Spurt h, of Green Valley, 111.;
Rev. O. Sparks, of Green Valley, III; John
A. Moore, of Jacksonville, III; Mrs. Arch
Cross well, of Kankakee, 111.; Mrs. H. li.
McClure, of Keitlisburg, 111.; Jlelvin Smith,
Mrs. Melvin Smith, of Metamoin, III.;
Isaac Bady, Isaac Bentley, of Morrison, III;
Infant Neal, child of Mrs. Joe Neal, of
Mossville, ill.; Mrs. R. H. Clark, of Rich
town, O.; Oscar Johnson, of Sever, 111.;
.Mrs. Marsh, of Syracuse, N, Y.; Mrs.
Cooper, Henry Hinchen, Poul Killter, of
Pekin, III; Mr. Stoddard,of Wateeka, 111.;
Mrs. Stoddard, of Wateeka, 111.; filattie
( arsell, Mrs. Elizabeth Cross, George W.
Press, Mrs Poyton Press, Mrs. John Voor
beos, of Washington, III; Mrs. E. D. Stod
dard, of West Point. la.; filisrs Emeline Cnl•
tester, of Winona, 111.; Trim, a travel
ing rnun in the employ of John Kranz, of
Chicago, 111.
THE WOUNDED AT CHATSWORTH.
Peoria., 111., Aug 12.—Following is a
list of the wounded at Chatsworth: Mrs.
Ann Kellogg, of Trcmont, slightly; Mrs. J.
Welch, of Peoria, slightly bruised; Mrs.
Isaac Hoary, of Morrison, severely injured;
Catharine Lott, of Peoria, seriously injured;
John McMaster, of Peoria, bark and leg
bruised; Mrs. E. J. I guvs, of Eureka, head
cut and side bruised; Sarah Mnv Laws, of
Eureka, face cut and jaw broken; John W.
Ktaron, of Green Valiev, h‘K broken und cut
across the abdomen; John Stein, of Bush
nell, leg broken and spine injured; a lady
from Tonica, ankle broken: llnvid Craw
ford, of l'eoria, bruised on the head; A.
Abraham, of l’eoria, arm broken, leg
broken, rib* broken und head bruised; C. ft.
Nowsom, of Canton, hijulislocated; K. T.
McGee, of LuhJtrj>*, bruised; Mis. Walters,
of Peoria, leg mil jaw broken
anil tiadly cut; K. F. Wrench, of l’eoria,
slightly braised; Elton Walters, of Peoria,
tbigb broken, and injured internally; Mrs.
H. 11. Clark, of Rfototowii. Ohio, limbs
broken and bead badly cut; C. O. < ioodrl, of
Peoria, head cut and log badly hurt: film.
Ed th Chellow, of Glasford, hip joint dis
located, and legs bruised; Robert Zimmer
man, of Peoria, buck and side bruised, head
cut and foot crushed . Mrs. It. Zimmerman,
of Peoria, collar lone broken, and severely
wounded about the head; fib's. J. W. Grant,
of Peoria, wedged in the wreck for hours;
Mrs. Mary Morris, of Peoria, bruised aud
sliaken up; Horner Bond, of Colchester, in
jured internally, shoulder dislocated and
lead cut; Miss Emma Alter, of
West Point. la., badl v cut end right teg
bruised; S. C. Carter, of Burlington, la.,
slightly out; Harry I Jiwronce, of Burling
ton, la , face and back hurt ; Miss Frabm,
of Peoria, badly injured; Miss Lizzie James,
of Peoria, foot crushed; YV. I'. Smith, of
Peoria, badly out ; John Keeler, of Breeds,
leg broken; Miss Hatnill, of Abingdon, leg
amputated above the knee; William Ul
rick, of Peoria, leg broken.
ON THE BRINK OF A HORROR.
An Aocident Near Albany Similar to
That in Illinois.
Albany, Ga., Aug. 12. —The Cincinnati
express train, consisting of throe coaches
and a Mann boudoir car, leaving here at 10
o’clock last night, plunged off the trestle of
the Brunswick and Western railroad bridge
over the Flint river at this place.
The rear trucks of the sleeper jumped
the track near the switch, seventy five
yards front the trestle, upon reaching which
it t ell therefrom, a distance of fourteen feet-,
falling upon its side. The other cars fol
lowed. The second-class and baggage car
turned completely over, falling upon their
tons, and were crushed like an egg shell.
The engine coupler broke, leaving it upon
tbo trestlo.
a conductor's leap.
Conductor M. Verdory, who was standing
in tlio door of the bagguge car when it fell,
jumped from it, a distance of twenty feet,
narrowly escaping falling upon a pile of
drift wood and sustaining internal injuries.
The fire alarm boll was rung and the fire
department responded. It was a dreadful
sight. Inthedarkness couldbedistinguished
the wrecked cars lying in the ooze and mud
loft bv the recent freshet,. The cries of the
wounded wore heart-rending. The firemen
organized themselves into a relief force, and
the wounded were extricated and placed
upon mattresses obtained from the sleepers
and carried to the various hotels.
NINETEEN INJURED.
Nineteen injured porsi ms wore taken from
the wreck. It, is remarkable that none
were killed. Though many were seriously
shocked, only one rierson was severely in
jured. He was Bdlwood Emmet, repre
senting the Rublier Faint Company, of
Chicago, who was thrown violently from
his berth and had Ins leg and thigh injured.
The other wounded were:
Mix. Barker, of Sumter county, Florida.
Mix. J. 11. Wilson, of Baton Rouge, La.
George E. Smith, of Cleveland, O.
O. Rodgers, of Atlanta.
Hr. W. I, Hikes, of Sumner, Go.
R. J. Hammond and C. VV. McCratiio, of
Ty Tv.
L. M. Peeples, of Nashville, Ga.
A number of negroes on the second-class
coach wins- injured. James Thomas was
the most seriously hurt, being found with
his head jammed through a lime in the roof
and bleeding profusely. The wounded are
resting easily to-day. No fatalities are an
ticipatcd.
IVES’ ASSIGNMENT.
The Creditors Taking Steps to Seucre
Time for the Assignee.
New York, Aug. 12. —'The only new de
velopment in the Ives’ matter to-day was
the statement that the District Attorney
had taken up his case anil would lay the
facts before the grand jury. When Mr.
Ives was asked what his information
was in regard to this he
referred to his counsel, A. H. Sullivan.
Mr. Sullivan did not, want to talk on the
matter, however, and after stating that he
knew nothing that Mr. Ives could lie in
dieted upon wanted to retract even that
statement. It was admitted that Mr. Ives’
•house, on which he has spent over SIOO,OOO,
was in his sister’s name and not included
among the assets.
A MEETING OF CREDITORS.
There was a meeting of creditors friendly
to Mr. Ives at the office of the Cincinnati,
Hamilton and Dayton Company in the
afternoon, at which Russell Sage, C. Waite
Coombs, of Boston, Judge ltnniso}’,
W. C. Wattels, W. M. Fellows,
Morgan and both members of the firm of
Cromwell At Sullivan were present. Four
fifths of the creditors in all wero represented.
The assignee reported that serious efforts
were being made, with substantial pro
gross, looking to iiayiug off all
the secured indebtedness of Henry
S. Ives Cos., mid that a syndicate hail
been formed with this view. Ho also an
nounced that the Cincinnati, Hamilton arid
Dayton (Jornpany was working in the same
connection and aiding in every way by the
use of its own name and credit. After some
discussion, in which Russell Sage opposed
the general views, a resolution was
adopted recommending that the creditors
holding securities take no action at present,
but to give the assignee reasonable time in
which to provide for all claims. After the
meeting was over the assignee stated that
the loans of Mr. Von Hoffman to August
Belmont, amounting to $500,000, has lieen
taken up by the syndidate, thus preventing
the sale of the collateral as advertised to
day.
•langston'b trial.
A Belief That the Jury Will Not be
Able to Agree.
Petersburg, Va., Aug. 12.—The argu
ment for the defense in the Langston mur
der trial, which consumed the entire day,
was concluded to-night. The court imme
diately adjourned, on account of the
illness of one of the jurors. Self
defense was argued ns justification
for the shooting, and the medicnl
treatment of the wounded man was severely
criticised as improper as as fatally aggra
vating the pistol wounds. The case will be
given to the jury to-morrow, but it is
thought that there is littlo chance of a ver
dict. _
DISCRIMINATION CHARGED.
The Philadelphia and Norfolk Road
After the Atlantic Coaet Line.
New York, Aug. 12.—The Philadelphia
and Norfolk Uni iroad Company complains
to tlie Interstate Commerce Commission
that the companies con>|ioaing the Atlantic
Coast Line refuse to make through rales to
Baltimore, Philadelphia ami New York
with them and to afford facilities for inter
change of trafH: while they do make such
through traffic rates with ami afford fa< id
tics to other companies competing with the
complainant. This the complainant holds
to tie a violation of section H of the inter
state commerce act. Correction of the
matter is asked.
SIX KILLED OUTRIGHT.
A Now Water Tank Bursts While Be
ing Tested.
Chicaoo, Aug. 12. — A Tims* special from
Mar<|iitte, Mich., says; “Workmen on the
North western road, near Norway, yesterday
completed anew water tank and filled it
with water for a teat. While they were
standing near by the tiinlmr* suddenly gave
way and the whole structure collapsed.
Six men were killed end six were seriously
and a number slightly injured.’'
Malta’s Cholera Visitation.
London, Aug. 12.—At Malta during the
past twenty-four hours there have been 5
new cases of cholera and 5 deaths.
I PRICE 810 A YEAR. I
] 5 CENTS A COPY, j
AMERICA'S IRISH FUNDS.
NEARLY ALL THE LEADING AGITA.
TORS MADE EASY.
Parnell Got £40,000, and Davitt One
of the Prettiest Estates in tbe Vi
cinity of Dublin Many Irishmen
Drawing War Pensions from the
United States.
Baltimore, Aug. 12. —The .Van will pub
lish to- non ow a letter from its special cor
respondent in Dublin in which he speaks of
the disposition of the money collected iu
this country for Ireland. He says: “The
testimonial to Parnell made up in America
and here amounted to £-40,000, or, in round
numbers $200,000. Before this his circum
stances were much embarrassed, but with
tliis he paid off the mortgages on his prop,
erty, started fresh, and his finances aro now
in most comfortable condition.
Most of the other Irish Nationalist
leaders have been given testimonials rang
ing in amounts from £I,OOO to £,OOO.
Michael Davitt said for a long time that he
would not accept any reward for his efforts,
but lie Anally accepted a testimonial in the
shape of one of the prettiest estates to be
found in the vicinity of Dublin.”
“Mr. Cochrane, head of the largest Arm
in Dublin said there has been little or no
money contributed for the Irish cause in
Ireland, and there could be no increase in
the contributions on this side. It was the
money which came from America which
kept up all agitation, and if America
stopped sending contributions the agitation
would soon cense. The people in America,
he said, could have little idea of how many
idle men were living on their money.”
Speaking of the Y'nited States pensioners
in Ireland, the letter says: “Among the
duties of American Consuls in Ireland is the
payment to several hundred persons who
are on the United States pension rolls of
their quarterly dues. A small proportion
only of tlieseever were citizens of the United
States. Some were hired as substitutes and
others went to the war actuated only by tbe
higli bounties which wore paid. Not a few
of these pensions amount to as much as s4fl
]ier month. This incident has caused much
interested comment, as the United States is
the only government in the world which
tw.vs pensions to people who do not reside
within its borders.”
PROCLAIMING the league.
London, Aug. 12.—The Cabinet met
to-day and discussed at. considerable length
the advisability of proclaiming the Irish
National League. They Anally adjourned
until early next week without coming to a
decision. In the meantime Lord Ash
bourne, Lord (Chancellor of Ireland, will
remain in 1 ,ondon.
PARNELL ON THE LAND BILL.
In the House of Commons to-day Mr.
Parnell, on a motion to consider the House
of Lords amendments to the land bill, de
clared that the alteration providing that
rents lie reduced in ratio with the fall in
prices was a vital change. It would dimin
ish by one-lmlf tiie value of the bill to ten
ants. It deprived the commission of dis
cretion in the reduction of rents, tying them
down to a hard and fast line. It was de
ceptive, also. If prices had fallen Id
per cent, a reduction of 10 per cent on the
same holdings would be too little, while on
the other hand it would be too much. As
the bill now stood it would lie no loss to the
land question or Ireland if the measure
were post (Killed until another session. [Pnr
nellite cheers.] Alter a heated debate Mr.
Hartington suggested a postponement of
the rent clause until Monday, the House
proceeding in the meantime to the discus
sion of other amendments.
W. H. Smith, on behalf of the govern
ment, accepted the proposition.
Tin* remaining amendments incorporated
in the bill by the House of Lords were
adopted.
FERDINAND’S JOURNEY.
The Foreign Concilia Will Not Attend
His Reception.
London, Aug. 12. —Prince Ferdinand
embarked at (Jurnserverin for Widdon. The
foreign consuls at Rustchu decided to
atisent. themselves from the Prince's recep
tion. The Bulgarian War Office is buying
horses for the army.
PASSING SI3TOVA.
Sistova, Aug. 12. —All the heights sur
rounding the town and the quays on the
river front wore crowded to-day when the
steamer itearing Prince Ferdinand passed
on its way to Kustehuk. The Prince was
enthusiastically cheered. He will return
from Hustehuk to-morrow and review tile
troops here and will then proceed direct for
Tirnova, where the Prefect will read a
manifesto to the troops and assembled in
habitants.
COMPELLED TO RESIGN.
Vienna, Aug. 12. Maj. La ha, who is
accompanying Prince Ferdinand to Bul
garia, has been compelled to resign his com
mission in the Austrian army under pain of
arrest.
FRANCE HOLDS ALOOF.
Paris, Aug. 12.—The French agents in
Bulgaria have lieen instructed to avoid all
intercourse with Ferdinand and his govern
ment.
SALUTES FIRED AT SOFIA.
Sofia, Aug. 12.—A1l the garrisons her*
have fired salutes to announce the presence
of Prince Ferdinand in Bulgaria.
FERDINAND’S PROCLAMATIOn.
Widhen, Aug. 12.—Pritujn Ferdinand has
issued a manifesto in wlinfl he says: “Hav
ing lieen elected Sovereign of the Bulgarian
people I consider it my sacred duty to set
foot at the earliest possible moment on my
new country in order to devote my life to
the happiness, greatness and progress of the
loving people. I am convinced that they
will sup|>ort my endeavors to realize a glo
rious future for Bulgaria.”
India’s Chiefs Pleased.
I/iNDON, Aug. 12.—1n the House of Com"
mens this evening Sir John Oorst, Pallia
incutary Secretary for the Indian office, re
ferring to the rumors that Mahotrajab Hol
kur had returned to India dissatisfied with
his reception during the jubilee festivities:
said that all the Indian chiefs hail expressed
themselves ss warmly gratified at the treat
ment they received in England.
America's First Episcopate.
London, Aug. 12. —The centenary service
to commemorate the establishment of the
llixt Episcopate iu America was given in
Westminster Abbey to-dav. Canon F. K.
Harford conducted the services, and prayers
were read which iinjl been esjje<-jally writ
ten by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The
sermon was delivered by the Bishop of
lowa.
Noutrallzatlan of the Canal.
Parih. Aug. 12. Heveral newspapers
here announce that the English and French
governments have agreed upon the basis of
a plan for the neutralization of the Suez
••anal. A convention embodying these prin
ciples, they assort, has lieen framed and its
signature by the two governments may be
ox iwtod.