Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1898 — MANY ARE KILLED. [ARTICLE]

MANY ARE KILLED.

Trait Plunges Through a Washed-Out Trestle in Indiana. Shortly before G o'clock Wednesday evening a work train loaded with officials and workmen plunged through a trestle one mile south of Columbus, Ind., on the Louisville division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Severn! were killed. The men had been at work repairing the track, which had been washed out in many places by the high waters, and were on their way to the southern part of the coad. The work train had pnssod over the railroad bridge just south of Columbus and the engineer opened the throttle. He thought the danger was pnst. Following the engine was a combination coach, with seats in each end, the middle for baggage. Behind this was a caboose. The men were all in the coach. Just r a mile from the railroad bridge was a frame trestle, which had been weakened by the high water. Upon this structure the train plunged, and almost instantly disappeared from sight. With a hiss the engine sank In the yellow flood. The caboose, in the rear, jammed into the coach, imprisoning the workmen. Then began a struggle for life. The window panes were broken and the men escaped with broken limbs and bruised bodies. The engineer crawled to the top of his boiler and lay there until rescued, with both legs broken. The fireman caught in a tree in the river. The accident was witnessed by a throng of sightseers. The work of rescue was conducted under the greatest difficulty. Just a few minutes before the wreck occurred a train load of Madison teacherc on their way to the Southern Teachers' Association at Terre Haute passed along.