The destruction of life was greatest in the second coach, because, as
has been mentioned, the car struck upon its side and was badly smashed;
yet it is a singular fact that the bodies from this were better
preserved than from any other car in the train, as they fell into the
stream where the water was deepest, before the flames could reach them.
The following description was sent by the author to the “Inter-Ocean”
of Chicago, and has since proved its correctness by the fact that
several have been recognized by the description given in it:
“The drawing-room car contained the following-described persons:
“A lady from Chicago, who is described as being very handsome; she
had left her husband at Dunkirk, and was returning home,” so a
passenger learned.
“Next, a lady and gentleman. The lady is described as being
‘quiet in manner, and evidently a person of culture.’ She was
about twenty-two years of age. The gentleman was short, had black
whiskers and mustache. Opposite, and afterward in the state-room,
was a party consisting of a gentleman, his wife and two children, a
girl and boy [who have been already described].
“Next was a tall gentleman having on a long ulster overcoat. He was
from Boston, and was going to California; was a merchant tailor.
My informant, Mr. Thomas C. Wright, thinks that Mr. Bliss was not
in this car. He says others were in the rear of the car, but does
not remember them. Mr. Ormsbee of Boston, was in the car and is
the only survivor. He was at first pinned down hands and feet and
could not extricate himself. Afterward something fell on the top of
the car, and loosened him and he reached up his hand and dragged
himself out. As he went out he heard the lady in the corner of
the car calling for help. He has seen the photograph of Rev. Dr.
Washburn and recognized it. The probability is that that gentleman
was underneath the only part which was struck by the ‘City of
Buffalo,’ and was instantly killed.”
It is still a question whether Mr. and Mrs. Bliss were in this car.
The gentleman and lady who have been described above, are supposed
to have been Mr. and Mrs. Hall, of Chicago, rather than Mr. and Mrs.
Bliss. The gentleman was reading to the lady the book “Near Nature’s
Heart;” as the newsboy passed, he took out “Daniel Deronda,” read it a
little, and afterward bought “Helen’s Babies.” Mr. Ormsbee, the sole
survivor from the car, judging from photographs which have been shown
him, declares that they were not Mr. and Mrs. Bliss. Mr. Burchell, of
Chicago, however, maintains that Mr. and Mrs. Bliss were in this car,
and his statement is worthy of credit. There is no doubt that they were
either in this or in the “City of Buffalo,” and it is probable that no
trace of them will ever be found.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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