Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1888 — WRECKED IN A RIVER. [ARTICLE]

WRECKED IN A RIVER.

An lowa Railroad Train Flanges Into a Swollen —Nine Persona Killed and Many Injured: A terrible railroad accident occurred about four miles west of New Hampton, lowa, on tbe Milwaukee & St. Paul road, Thursday, by which nine persons lost their lives, and from fifteen to twenty were injured. The train plunged into a creek, the bridge over which was washed away. The creek was swollen by the immense amount of water which has been running oft for the past few days, and in addition a gorge of ice was formed, which, previous to the arrival of the train, carried away a portion of the bridge. There was nothing to show that there was danger ahead, and the train plunged into the swollen stream while running at full speed. The engine and three coaches went into the creek and immediately submerged in the torrent of water which overflowed the banlft. A scene of the wildest confusion and those of the train crew and passen- ' gers who escaped death or in jury were immediately called into service to relieve the drowning or pinioned passengers. It was with g eat difficulty that the passengers could be reached, owing to the rushing of the waters through the car windows. Those who were rescued from the smoking car, which was almost entirely submerged, were taken from tbe windows, some maimed to such an extent that they were powerless to help themselves, while others were nearly drowned before aid could reach them. The wreck, some claim, was caused by ice on the track, while others claim that it was caused by the spreading of tbe rails. The engine jumped the track first and the baggige car and tender plunged over the engine into the water. The smoker struck on top of the engine and was badly smashed. The engine is entirely under water, and the beggags car is almost covered by water. There were about thirty people in the smoker at the time; four of whoin were killed, so far as known, beside tbe en gineer crushed between the cab and smoker. Tne fireman escaped unhurt There were about twenty-five wounded, though none fatally.