Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1873 — The Accident on the Buffalo & Corry Railroad. [ARTICLE]

The Accident on the Buffalo & Corry Railroad.

Ebie, Pa., December 56. The immediate cause of the accident at Prospect Station was a broken flange on the tender-wheel. About sixty rods west of the station is a trestle work some thirty feet high over which the locomotive and tender of the Eastern-bound express passed in safety, but the bqggage and passenger cars (only two coaches being in the train) were thrown from the trestle, fell thirty feet, and struck top downward. The weight of the trucks crushed in the cars, closing up the windows, and, to render the situation even more terrible, the passenger coach was partially tilted upon its side so that, for the occupants of that side, there were absolutely no means of escape. Almost immediately the cars took fire, the passenger coach burning at both ends. Some half dozen persons waiting at the station were soon at the scene of the accident, but they worked at an immense disadvantage. No water could be had, and the snow that was scraped up had little effect in staying the flames! Only two axes were available, and the woodwork of the cars was bolted together so firmly and intricately that but little headway could be made with them. All the time these efforts were being put forth, the flames were steadily gaining and the shrieks of the imprisoned victims as the scorching heat enveloped them, was appalling to the stoutest heart. Now and then a rope was put through a crevice; fastened to a form, and the sufferer pulled out by main strength. Sometimes it would be a lifeless body, and the charred arms, legs or head would drop off in the struggle. In three or four instances the head was thus separated from the trunk, and in as many more cases, the body was bereft of its limbs. The body of a lady was thus rescued from the flames, the head and one arm snapping off like a piece of charcoal, while the other arm was untouched, a dainty kid glove covering the hand, and the fingerswearing their jeweled ornaments. The body will doubtless be recognized with the aid of the rings. But for these, it would have been impossible to identify it. The bodies of three other ladies were taken out, neither of which, it is believed, can be reedgnized by friends. In all, it is estimated that fully ten of the nineteen forms moved from the burning car are unrecognizable. It is supposed that in addition to the bodies recovered a number of others were .consumed in the burning cars, and that nothing but their blackened bones will be discovered when the fire is extinguished and the ashes raked over. Adding these to the number of injured that will die, it is estimated that the total number of lives lost will not fall short of thirty, the whole number of persons in the two cars at the time of the accident being about forty-five. Frank Taylor, of Corry, was leaning against some object, and seeing an acquaintance passing, called him by name. The friend turned round, and saw Taylor, apparently uninjured, but suddenly he,said, “Tell my wife,” and fell over dead. He must have died from some internal injury. But the inmates of the burning cars were shrieking for aid, and Mr. Taylor’s friend did not see him again until his corpse was brought in and placed with the others. After the groans of the dying were stilled in death, the stench arising from the ’ burning bodies is said to have been sickening. With no means of extinguishing the flames, and the heat being too intense to admit of all the bodies being extricated, nothing could be done by the spectators but to stand quietly by and see the remains slowly consumed. Mayvii-le, N. Y., December SB. The bodies thus far identified arc: Mack Haight, Brocton, N. Y.; W. H. Osborne, Westfiel.l, N. Y.; Herman Ryan, Farnham, N. Y.; Edwin H. Bell, Sherman, N. Y.; Con. Maloney, Brocton, N. Y.; Frank Taylor, Corry, Pa.; John White, Lancaster, N. Y.; August Card it, Arkwright, N. Y.; Chas. Metz, Eden Corners, near Angola, N, Y.; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur,. Pa. ; Josejjh. "CurtimuTitusville; PA. ; KateTHley,“Dunkirk, N. Y.; Wm. Bankin, laborei, from Canada ; Joseph 11. McCarter, Miller Station, Pa. There were thirty-eight paying passengers on the train, and five employes back of the tender. ——- At the inquest, Henry Miller and J, J. Marks testified that the- train ran very fast. W. A. Lee, and others, contradicted it. The fireman says five miles per hour.