The New York Herald Newspaper, April 20, 1873, Page 7

ONE HORE HORROR. Fearful Disaster on the Providence and Stonington Railroad. ABRIDCE SWEPT AWAY. A Passenger Train Crashes Into the Awful Breach. Thirty Permaas Wounded and a Number Still Missing. THE WRECKED TRAIN ON FIRE The Victims Roasted and Crushed to Death in the Debris. “BRAVE EVEN UNTO DEATH.” The° Engineer and Firemen Standing Dead at Their Posts of Duty. THE ENGINE LEAPS THE CHASM. Graphic Details of the Accident—How the Torrent Carried the Bridge Away— Statement of a Passenger— The Killed and Wounded. RicuMonD Swircu, R, I., April 19, 1873, A terrible accident occurred at Richmond Switch, R.L, on the Stonington and Providence Railroad, at four o’clock this morning, by the break- ing of the mill dam just north or the track, on the Pawcatuck River. The water rushed down the stream in torrents, caused by a freshet, and, rising above the usual level some ten feet, washed away the bridge and railroad track over the stream. The Stenington steamboat train, en route to Provi- dence and Boston, coming along at the time, was precipitated inte the chasm, the engine leaping to the opposite bank. Three crate cars and three Coaches telescoped, and all of them took fire after- ‘Wards and were burned up. The engineer, fireman and six others are known to be among the killed. Others are supposed to have been washed down the stream or buried under the débris. Parties ef workmen and volunteers are clearing the track ‘and searching for bodies, The ‘Ow! train, from New York, was just behind the steamboat train, and only escaped by betng three minutes behind time, The “Owl” train had four sleeping cars, fille@ with passengers, all of whom would, doubt- Jess, have been instantly killed or injured. ABOUT FORTY PERSONS are wounded, the majority being only slightly hurt. Engineer William Guile, of Providence, Fireman George Eldridge,,of Wickford ; Albert Allen, of Provi- @ence ; Jeremiah Cramer, of Boston ; John Callihan, ef New York, and two others unidentified, were killed. All the bodies were feund to be badly burnt, It is now three o'clock P. M., and some twenty are still missing Ameng the in- jared are Patrick Burns, James Donovan, Dennis Heffren, Edward Crafiin, Patrick Williams, ‘Thomas Nolan, baggage master, leg broken, es- caped through the window; Henry Stiner, Mary ‘Wern, New York, badly; Frank Johnsen, New Bed- ford, and others, names unknown at present. J. D. Eldridge, of Harwich, Mass., escaped from the passenger car first burned, and succeeded in sav- ing Mra, Rebecca Kelley, Miss Lizzie Evans and her brother, children of Captain Evans, of the steamer General Sedgwick, but was unable to save three other passengers, who perished, being CAUGHT AND HELD FAST among the broken seats. Mary Bohen, aged sev- enty, had her leg broken and received other seri- ous injuries. Her daughter, Honora Bohen, has her skall fractured and will net survive. A temporary bridge is almost finished, when all the ‘wounded will be forwarded to Providence and Bos- ton, Thére were 130 persons on the train, a large umber of passengers remaining in the steamboat, as they preferred to take the morning accommoda- tien. Among the wounded was Benjamin Knapp, dr.,&® member of the New York press, bound to the reunion of the Sixth Massachusetts regiment. Sylvanus Evans and Mr. R. H. Kelley, of West Den- mis, Mass, were miraculously saved, receiving a Sew bruises. ; THE TEMPORARY BRIDGE «bas been constructed at this hour, seven o'clock P. M., Over the stream, and trains are making reg- lar trips. Some four thousand people have already Winited the scene of the accident, and every train vover the read is crowded with persons anxious to @atialy their morbid curiosity. Up to this time @even charred bodies have been found, but it is im- possibie to identify them, with the exception of ‘those of the engineer and freman. Superintendent Matthews,.ef the Stonington and Providence road, has ‘been on the spot constantly since early morn- ‘ng, and has done all that man can de to recover TRE BODIRS OF THE VICTIMD and provide:for the survivors of the disaster. Physicians‘from Stonington, Westerly and Proyi- ence wore sant to the switch to dress the wounds of the sufferers,,and @ special train conveyed them te Providence, where arrangements have been made to further care for them. The engine, as be- fore stated, jnmped across the chasm, and the end Of a broken rail on the opposite side of the bridge penetrated the boiler-bead, causing the steam to escape, and thes preventing an explosion. The engineer and fireman were KILLED AT THEIR POSTS, and remained in an upright position even after death, the:former with his hand on the tarottle and the latter Ravimg hold of the brake, Both were consumed by* fire, as there were no’ means by which any persgn could cross the streami'te recover he bodies, In 8 conversationwith THE OWNEWOF, THE MILL DAM, Tlearned that he examined the dam before retir- ing for the night, and ‘thinking that there was some danger of ite giving .wway opened the sluice gate, which relieved it com@what from the great pressure of the larme body af water whinh it hekt im check, Had he taken proper precautions and strengthened the dam before leaving this accident might have been avoided. It will be impossible for me to give the names of all the killed, as their faces are so disfigured. They will have to be identified by their friends. Seven bodies have been recovered. The engineer lived im Providence and leaves a family. Con- ductor Orrin Gardiner escaped with his life. Thomas Nolan, the through brakeman, was se- viously injured in the thigh. All the other brake- men escaped with slight injuries, THE KILLED, 80 far as recognized, are:— Albert Allen, of Providence, Jerry Camerer, of Boston. John Haliihan, of New York. William Guile, engineer, George Eldredge, fireman. Two other bodies have not yet been identified, THE INJURED are:—Patrick Burns, of New York, leg broken; Frederick Johnson, of New Bedtord, serious skull wound; John Hollingworth, legs bruised; J. D. El- dridge, of New York, bruised; Dennis Bohen of New York, wrist hurt ; Joseph Donovan, ef Ireland, slight contusion and bruised; Mary Bohen, leg fractured; Hanora Bohen, skull fractured, proba- bly fatally; James Denovan, of New York, badly bruised and injured internally ; Dennis Hefferin, of Hartford, leg injured badly; Ed. Croflin, of New York, injured in the leg; Patrick Williams, of New York, badly bruised; Thomas Nolan, badly in- jured in thigh; Henry Steiner, of New York, and Joseph Olmstead, of Providence, both have bad bodily injuries; Edward Mangam, of New York, rib brokem and head badly injured; John Creden, ot New York, head cuts; George H. Ver- non, of New York, injured about the head and Jegs; William Finley, of Boston, injured about the head and legs; Joseph Phillips, of South Boston, legs bruised. There are some twenty more whose injuries are slight, The engine made a fearful leap, passing over the stream and imbedding itself in the opposite em- bankment. It is more than ten years since any accident has occurred on this road. The washing away of the dam and bridge, of course, could not have been foreseen. The first reports of the disaster were greatly exaggerated. Only three PASSENGER CARS WERE BURNED, two first class cars and one second class car. The other three cars burned were what railroad men call “baggage flats.” The three cars that contained the baggage and express crates were what saved the lives of the passengers. J. W. Thayer, who tends the switch at Stoning- ton Junction, informed your reporter that the mall train and steamboat trains were botff ready to leave at the same hour this morning. Had the Snore Line mail train gone into this rashing flood the loss of life woula have been much greater, as there were no baggage flats on that train to save the passenger cars, as in the case of the wreked train. Arrival of Survivors in Boston—Graphic Narrative of the Disaster. Boston, April 19, 1878, Many friends of passengers on the Stonington steamboat train last night are anxiously inquiring at the Providence depot for the names of the vic- tims of the disaster. Few details are known up to one o’clock. The following has been received :— Krvaston, April 19, 1873. A. A. FoLsom, Superintendent of the Boston and Providence Railroad :— Ben Smith, the ticket agent, is all right. Train all burned but the smoking car and one other car. About fifteen or twenty persons were burned to death. Quite a number of wounded. 0. 8. GARDNER, Conductor. A number of passengers, survivors of the wrecked Stonington train, reached this city this afternoon, among them several of the wounded, ‘whose names have been already given. None of them appeared to be seriously injured, except Nolan, the brakeman, who wastaken to his home, in Cabot street. The following-named persons, all sailors and residents of East Boston, who went from here to New Yorkin a ship last Wednesday, are among the wounded:—Thomas Burke, injured on the head; James Todd, head and legs injured; Edward Messenger, injured on the head; William Finley, head and legs injured; George H. Brennan, head and legs injured; John Hollingsworth, head and shoulders injured; John Cartin, head and ribs hurt and injured internally. Conductor Gardner and the baggage master had just gone back into the smoking car when the ac- cident happened. The conductor was jammed in between the seats by the shock, but showed GREAT PRESENCE OF MIND by immediately calling out to some one to go back with a signal of danger for the mail train, which was just behind them and coming at a rapid speed. Some one of the unharmed immediately rushed back and signalled the coming train, and a Gouble disaster was averted. All the badly wounded were taken to Providence, and arrived there about three o’clock this afternoon, and were taken to the hospital in that city. Mr. Jonas Hol- strom, who was @ passenger in the fourth car of the train, gives the following NABRATIVE OF THE DISASTER. The train, which consisted of five cars, left ‘Stonington at five minutes past three o'clock, about thirty-five minutes late. The rate ef speed before reaching Rehmend switch was about thirty-five miles an hour, and the first intimation he had of the disoster was @ sharp concussion, which burst open the car in which he was seated and partially filed it with the débris of the preceding car, Mr. Holstrom was on the the left hand side of the rear ead of the car, and in front of him, on the opposite side, near the steve, were two young men, appa- Mently from twenty to twenty-five years of age, aad directly behind them was Benjamin R. Knapp, Jr., of Boston. Mr. Holstrom, immediately ster the shock, heard the young men and Mr. Knapp call for help to extricate them, as they were Wounded and held fast by the splintered portions of tne preceding car, On reaching Mr. Knapp it Was found that one of his legs was injured, and Mr. Holstrom and several others set about to extri- cate him and the two young men. Suddenly volume of flames shot into the car door, and in- stantly the masa of splinters was on fire, the flames rusting through the car as quickly as though the wood had been @ lot of hay. The rescuers had barely time to relieve Mr. Knapp from bis position when they were OBLIGED TO FLEE POR Lis, ond the two unfortanste young men were left to meet # terrible fate, and were burned wo death ins very few minutes, With these exceptions none of the other occupants of this car were known to have perished, though quite ® number had a very DArrow cecape, amoag WROM Was en old lady, who ‘Delonged ip Sandwich. Maes, Just besore the are ™ burst into this car Mr. Holstrom and others were engaged in prying up the stove, which apparently had imprisoned the two young men, who were seated beside it, and the light of the fire was dis- tinctly seen outside the train, but was supposed to be @ signal to warn approaching trains or to aid the rescuers in prosecuting their labors. The bridge WHERE THE DISASTER HAPPENED is between thirty and forty feet wide and the depth of the chasm is about twenty feet. Nearly forty rods above this point isa grist and saw mill on the Pawcatuck River, and @ supply of water for the mills is received by means of a dam. The storm swept away the dam and the water in the stream below rose toa height of ten feet, carrying away the railroad bridge and abutments, which wére found about fifty rods below. The rails at either end of the bridge were left sticking up, and when the train came dashing along the ENGINE AND TENDER LEAPED THE CHASM and landed on the opposite side. Immediately be- hind were two crate cars, which plunged into the opening, followed by the second class passenger car, containing a number of emigrants and a party of sailors belonging in Boston, who were returning from New York. As this car piled upon the crate cars it was splintered into kindling wood, and the Persons inside were tumbled into the water and bruised, and one ef their number lost. In the rear of this was a car which contained but two passengers and Thomas Nolan, the »rakeman. The next car was occupied by quite o number of passengers, and was the one in which Mr. Holstrom wasseated. Behind this was another passenger car and @ smoking car, both of which were saved by uncoupling and running them back from the wreck. The general opinion among the Passengers seemed to be that the FIRE CAUGHT FROM THE STOVE in the second class car, though its work was done 80 quickly that the origin will probably never be definitely known. No one yet arrived in Boston can give a list of the dead or the number killed, but the general estimate is from eight to twelve. Latest Details—Nine Bodies Recovered— No Inquest Deemed Necessary. Provipence, R. 1, April 19, 1873. Nine bodies have been recovered thus far. Thomas Nolan, of Boston, had his thigh frac- tured. Tne engineer and fireman were burned to acrisp at their posts. Two of the unknown per- sons recovered had their limbs burned od, leaving their trunks only. No inquest is deemed necessary by the Coroner. The bodies have been brought to this city. “Out of 105 passengers,” says Mr. Conductor Gardiner, “I can account for but forty-two people who have been rescued dead or alive from the wreck.” Mr. Gardiner was in the rear car at the time of the accident, and business-like, when he saw what had occurred, sent a signal man back with a red lantern to warn the approaching New York ex- Press train, so as to avoid a double calamity, He adds to the statement quoted above by saying that a great proportion of the missing ones were probably washed out towards tidewater or lie drowned at the bottom of the creek. Some of them, perhaps, may have been cared for in the few dwellings which are scattered about this dismal locality, but that number must be easily counted. Mr. Charles Browner, one ef the passengers on the train, says that there were seven cars, three flats, which contained crates of fruit, and four pas- senger cars, one of which was the emigrant car. When the train struck the bridge the fat cars went to the bottom of the river, which had been swollen by the late freshet to twice its usual size, The pas- senger cars were piled upon the flats, and were each telescoped. THE SHRIEKS OF THE PASSENGERS were heartrending, as they were jammed in by the seats. Mr. Brown reports seeing @ pile of bones and flesh by the side of a hot stove, which were equal to four persons. The cars were set on fire by the stoves and explosions ef kerosene lamps. He says among those heard screaming in the cars for assistance was Mr. A. F. Allen, of Providence. The train was forty minutes behind time. Mr. Brown says that there were certainly between twenty-five an‘ thirty persons killed. There was just enough of the engineer leit to identify him. When discovered his body was be- tween the driving wheels of the engine. The fire- man’s body was completely mashed to jeily. Mr. Brown aiso says that he saw numerous pieces of flesh and bones lying upon the bank of the river, There were many persons striving to crawl from the wreck with broken legs, mangled and bruised faces and heads, Mr. J. Frank Dailey, one of the conductors on the Stonington and Providence Railroad, states that there were in all three flat cars, baggage and express cars, and two passenger cars wrecked and buried. I left the scene of the disaster at half-past nine, and at that time seven bodies had been dis- covered. There were irom fifteen te twenty wounded. THE PASSENGERS WHO ESCAPED and the baggage were transferred to the accom- modation train, which arrived here at noon. The work of repair was vigorously prose- cuted, and the shore line train passed through, reacning this city at one o'clock. The steamboat train arrived here at a quarter to three o’clock. The latter train contamed the wounded passengers, and on its arrival they were severally taken in charge, and the most danger- ously wounded conveyed upon cots to the hospital, while those slightly hurt received due attention. The Shore route mail train was entitled to the track, but, being from three to five minutes late, the steamboat train started in advance, otherwise the former would have plunged into the chasm. The Shore line train backed to Westerly and gave the news of the disaster, and Drs. Wilbur, Lewis, Collins and Crandall were soon despatched by & special train to the scene of the wreck. AMr. Smith, @ passenger, who camo through on the first train trom the scene of the disaster, stated that Albert F. Allen, the Providence man, who is among the dead, was alive after the acci- dent, but unable to move from his seat and was roasted alive. His body was -almost burned beyond recognition, and was taken from the seat he occupied. A special train arrived from the scene of the disaster about two o'clock this after- noon, upon which were a number of the passengers of the wrecked train. There were also on board this train some dozen or more of the wounded passengers, with HEADS AND BODIES FEARFULLY BRUISED apd mangled. They were taken to tho Rhode Island Hespital in wagons, The names of those Wounded who came om this train are aa fallows:— UNDAY, APRIL ae ee ee» Ae ieee eee eo SJ SES ae A poe ae a ¥ Lvitee Oh fai teeel st but leit the bridge in a treacherously ticklish pesition. To all appearances it was safe, but beneath the superstructure laid a trap for the capture of human _iives. The engine and train passed partially across the bridge, when their weight caused one end to sink, and there was a mixed up mess of cars and loco- motive, from which it was impossible for anybody to extricate himself unharmed. Even at this hour, midnight, the streets and hotels are lined with people, who come to no other conclusion than that spoken of in the above paragraph. What the Vice President of the Road Says. 7” Mr..D. 8S. Babcock, the Vice President of the Stonington line, sent the following to the New York Associated Press last evening :— Stoninaton, Conn., April 19, 1873, Thave just returned from the scene of the dis- aster. So far only five passengers and two em- ployés have been found killed. The cause of the accident is very plain. The dam, 160 yards above the bridge, gave way and precipitated a pile of lumber against the abutments of the bridge, which formed another dam, and the overflow undermined the abutments, The bridge was only twenty feet span, The wounded, mostly emigrants, have been sent to the hospital in Providence. The engineer died at his post, with his hand on the throttle vaive. There will be no further interruption to travel. THE COLOMBIAN QUESTION. Politics at Panama and Rise and Prog- ress of the Isthmus Movement—Over- throw of a President and Installation of a New Ruler—Fighting and Fury, but Little Blood—The War of Races, PANAMA, April 10, 1873, Since the year 1871, when the radicals ana con- servatives combined in aa attempt, which signally failed, to overthrew the government of the then Presidert, Correoso, the liberals have been in the possession of undisputed power, and all the State authorities and the Legislature have been of their selection. President Correoso having completed his legal term of office, made room for General Neira, one of his own party and one of his most intimate friends. The consequence was tnat on Saturday, the Sth inst., Rafael Aizpurm, a half-brother of ex- President Correoso, went to the Gevernment House with a halfdozen others and having previously brought over the guard captured President Neira and made him a prisoner in his own house. They then went to the barracks of the State troops, who had also been bought over, and declared Damaso Cevera, as the fifth substitute, President of the State. The Supreme State Court was next visited, and before it the leaders of the revolution wit- nessed the swearing in ef the confrére whom they were thus thrusting into power. PROCLAIMED. A small proclamation was then issued, in which Colonel Aizgpurn declared that “the people who had elected President Neira had declared against him and had placed in his pesition they had full confidence.” The new Pri came out with @ declaration tmat he was actin; solely in the interests ef the peepie. . THE cour. With the publication of these two decuments it appeared as if the revolution were over; and, although the numerous pelitical factions into which the white pogeietion is divided were considerably disgusted at this new exhibition of power by the “iberal”’ or black portion of the population, it ap- peared highly improbable that even an attempt at a counter revolution, for the reinstalment of the deposed President, would be made, MOVEMENTS AT DARK. By dark, howe’ it became evident that, failing fighting friends among the natives of the town, the partisans of the ex-President had sought tne assistance of the national ¢ The com- mander of the Pichincha battalion of national troops brought his men and stationed a tion of them in the principal square and spread the rest as pickets to prevent transit threugh the streets or communication between the gross of the troops of the new government, which were out- side the city, and some fifty men they had jeit inside the barracks usually occupied by the State government. The commander of the national forces sent a mé te President Correoso demanding the mmmediate delivery of the bel President and his Secretary of State—who had been taken with him—and an- nouncing his intention of attacking at ten o'clock if this demand were not cemplied with. At eight o'clock random shots commenced tobe fired by various individuals, but no general skirmish occur- red uatil abeut a quarter past ten P. M., when, just as it appeared matters would be |, quite a lively ire for the place occurred at the State bar- racks, A picket of the national troops, station- ed in the street at some little distance, com- menced firing on the men in the barracks, and efter firing for sbout ten minutes they retired, after losing one man. Their op nts also had one killed, The desire to it evinced by beth bodies of men after this was so evident, andthe desire on the part of the officers of both sides was so strong that an arrangement was come to soon after, and the ex-President was re- moved to the quarters of the national troops. The next day quiet reigned. THE FINALE. It was said that General Neira should he re- turned to the State government. As yet, however, he has not been returned, nor does it able he will be, since it is Known that al treops are in revolt against their officers aad have threatened to shoot their colonel, The national or IBterier, while ihe Btate goverument treope are iterier, formed of mulattees and ang theres not 8 singje white Man among 20, 1873—QUINTUPLE Mary Bohen, Ney Brown, Henry Sturne, Patrick Bohan, Frank Johnson, —— Huntington, James Deman, Dennis Brown, Patrick Whaley and Pat- riek Wiliams, The above persons are all probably fatally wounded. They were all destined for Boston, with the exception of Patrick Whaley, who was coming to his friends in this city, The bodies of those of the dead who have been taken from the wreck arrived here to-night and presented a sad spec- tacle. Box after box was taken from the train and deposited in the hearses and baggage wagon pro- vided by the railroad company, thence being con- veyed to the establishment of Mr, Gardiner F. Schwartz, on Dorrance street. A REVOLTING SIGHT, Mr. Albert F. Allen, who, by the way, is well known among firemen as being the inventor ofa recently patented prevention for the more direct communication of hosemen with their engines, was burned entirely to a crisp. I can compare the appearance of the headless trunk to nothing less than a great piece of brittle coke, from which Pieces could be broken easily. Next him, laid ina long wooden box, the cerpse of Mr. M. F. Fleming. He was identified by a card in his possession, which gave ocular evidence that he was a mem- ber of the “St. Mary’s Sodality, Thomas Green, Secretary,” where that society is located nobody in this locality knows, Mr. Fleming had a through ticket for Boston, His body was perhaps better preserved than any of the rest. as THE HEAD 18 GASHED BADLY on the top, but the full, dark brown beard appears tobe unstained. His eyes are half open, From the head downward the body is in a good condition, except the left foot and portion below the knee on that side, which has been burned to a black undis- tinguishable lump. On the other side, the right foot is clean and white, Another crumbting mass of charred humanity, unidentified, lies beside Mr, Fleming, and there is a pail full of fragments of other bedies now to be pat into shape for recog- nition, These remains have been packed carefully in ice, and will be held to await the order of the friends of the departed. In relation to the cause of the accident, although fam sensible that an expression of an opinion in this respect may be criticized severely, I have ar- rived at the conclusion that THE SOLE BLAME rests on the railroad company. The buttresses of the bridge were built upon sand “literally,” and the freshet which washed away the foundation ‘pa ¥; er SHEET. ENGLAND. The Movement of Bullion from the Bank for New York—Rate for Money on 'Change and at the Bank. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Lonpon, April 19, 1878. ‘The amount of bullion withdrawn from the Bank of England on balance yesterday was £100,000, all of which was for shipment to New York. SHIPMENT OF THE PRECIOUS METAL. ‘The bullion which was drawn from the Bank of England yesterday for shipment to New York will be taken out to America by the steamship Scotia, which sails from Liverpeol to-day. ‘CHANGE RATE FOR MONEY. ‘The rate for money at the Stock Exchange on government securities is two per cent below the Bauk of England rate. GERMANY. Royal Matrimonial Fete with Imperial and Civic Rejoicing. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. BERLIN, April 19, 1873, Prince Albrecht, nephew of the Emperor of Ger- many, was married to-day to Princess Mary, of Saxe-Altenburg. The ceremonies were ofa grand character. This evening the bridai couple were escortea from the White Hall to the nuptial chamber by a torchlight procession, TURKEY. Constantinople Connected with Adrianople by Railway. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 19, 1873, The railway between Constantinople and Adrian- ople has been completed, and trains are now run- ning between the two cities, a distance of 137 miles northwest from the capital te the banks of the Yundja. AUSTRALIA. Sad Mortality and a Suicide on Board an Emi- grant Ship. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. MELBOURNE, April 19, 1873, The ship Alardus, of and from Hamburg, witha number of emigrants arrived here to-day. During the voyage thirty-two of the passengers died and the Captain committed suicide. EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE. cee The Fatal Visitation in Saw Salvador---Its Approach, Warnings and Sud- den Realization. Fifty Lives Lost and $5,000,000 Worth of Property Destroyed—Fire Following the Volcanic Agitation—Rural Scenes Near the Seat of Desolation—Executive Energy and Prompt Charity. SAN SALVADOR, March 24, 1873, Ever since the 4th inst., when we had a shock of earthquake, which more or less damaged the greater part of the houses in town, we had most unpleasant reminders that we live in @ volcanic country par excellence. Still, none of us feared that such total ruin was about to overtake the city as that which was caused by a succession of shocks on the morning of the 19th inst. Fortunately, be- fore the severe shock came, one or two milder ones, though they were strong enough in all con- science, had frightened almost every one out of bed and into the court yards and public squares, Owing to this fact very great mumbers of people were not killed, for the rnin of the city has been as total as was that of Mendoza, and as dis- astrous monetarily to the residents as it possibly could be. THE GREAT VISITATION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. When the great shock came, at a little after two A. M., the houses commenced crashing down in all directions, and just now there is not a house fit for habitation in the town, except anew frame building and the front part of the Hotel dei Parque, The ground trembled and heaved; the undulations of the earthquake waves were as perceptible as are those of the sea to one in a small boat. For miles round much damage has been done. Many people have gone to Santa Fecla, about three leagues off, where the different shakes, though they have made themselves felt, have not done much damage. THE SCENE IN THE RURAL DISTRICTS. The ground is stili shaking slightly at intervals. On the road out of the city to a place called Cedro, whither I rede yesterday, there are large tracts where the ground looks as if it had been newly ploughed up, while in other parts there are cr and fissures, which show the powerful forces which were at work, Loyopango and [lopango, two neighboring vil- lages, are entirely d(own—even the straw houses having shared the fate of the more substantial edifices, At San Martin only the ehurch and a couple ef old houses are down. Whtie on the road thence to Cojute} pd almost every building has been de- stroyed, Cojutepeque itself has not been injured. FIRE. Shortly after the severe shock a fire broke out in a ruined drug store, and had it not been for the energy displayed by the President, who directed the work wh respited in its extinguishment and took charge of one of the hose, it is more than probable that what the earthquake left uande- stroyed the flames would have consumed. FOREIGN INTERESTS, No foreigners have been injured. THIEVES IN THE RUINS. In some few cases roofs have remained standing, supported by the Lot bled but in every case all the tiles have been shaken off. A couple of thieves, who attempted to ply their vocation while ruin was rife, were promptiy shot by order of the President, and this act of neces- sary justice had such effect that not a rob- bery has been heard of. 5,000,000 Loss, The loss will amount to more than five millions of dollars. A great deal of the materiel will be good for rebuilding, and I suppose that for this reason a8 much as any other the governinent has issued a decree that the capital will not be re- moved, as many had supposed it would be. A de- cree has also been issued permitting peopie to squat on all vacant lots. It is more than probable that @ great deal of wood will be used in the cen- struction of the new town, since the wooden build- tng before mentioned is the only one which has remained uninjured. Con — the severe losses the people are very . CHARITY. ‘Ta San Miguel, Santa Ana and other towns which did not feel the effects of the earthquake, imme- diately forwarded a liberal donation o: money and aN of provisions, which were very scarce here for @ couple of day: BAILROAD SLAUGHTER IN JERSEY. Four Persons Killed on the Morris and Essex and Central Railroads. Thomas Masgrove, aged seventy-eight, a resident of East Orange, while crossing the track of the Morris and Essex road at Orange Junction, yester- day forenoon, diagonally, was struck by the loco- motive of the Dover express, landed twenty or thirty feet against a telegraph pole and instantiy killed. He had been warned to get off the track. Shortly afterwards Abijah Pell, of Orange, nar- Towly escaped a similar fate in Newark. While the track he was warned to walking al Keep of and tai hed at those who proifered food advice. le said if any one was urt on @ railroad it would be their own fault. His words were verified almost immediately after. He was struck by @ locomotive and dragged thirt; He was badly cut up, and was reported de: last evening. Robert Hern, @ conductor on the Morris and Essex Raiiroad, fell from his train, near Port Mor- ris, on Thursday afternoon, and was run over by the caboose. He was brought to Phillipsburg on the bal/-past three o’clock train, and died shortly his arrival. remains were taken to Just below Eliza- real at the Roselle Lided Sout Bine o'clock ij THE VIENNA EXHIBITION Herald Special Report frond the Austrian Capital. Serious Charge Against the Mode of Appein’ ment of American Commissieners. Citizen Vanity Said To Have Beer Tickled and Gratified for Gold. ) The Cry of Cholera Circulated in the City Press. \ Journalism Said To Be in Spiteful Antagonism to the Director. | TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. The following special despatch to tha Heratp has been received from our corres spondent in the capital of Austria: — Vienna, April 19, 1873, Swindling is reported in connection witht the appointment of the American Commiaal sioners to the International Industrial Exhibid tion to be held in this city. CITIZEN VANITY AND THE “ITCHING PALM."* It is asserted that many of the Commissi: ers purchased the position for the sake of honor of appearing in an official character aff the assemblage of the Fair and during ita management. One of the gentlemen says he, paid the sum of $6,000, but the rate generally charged wass somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,000. INCAPACITY AND INQUIRY. The majority of the Commissioners are ine capable persons. The more respectable among them are engaged in instituting inquiry inta the matter of the swindle. THE ORY OF CHOLERA. , The city journals, contrary to the custom of the Austrian metropolitan press, give prominence to reports which allege that cholera is present, and that the medical statements show the occurrence of five deatha from the disease in Vienna. The journald say, also, that cholera has been raging in the province of Karnthen (Carinthia), in tha northwestern portion of Illyria, during the whole of the Winter season, and that out of 1,000 cases 465 have proved fatal. POOR IDEAS OF JOURNALISTIC ANIMUB, It is supposed that this publication is mada through spitefulness against the Director of the Exhibition, but the facts are as reported. | The Aastrian Vice Consul on the Prepa= rations for Visitors at Vienna—The Exposition Building and the Cholera. Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Consulate General, New York, To THE Eprror or Ta# HERALD:— Seeing aspecial despatch in the HERALD from your cerrespondent in Vienna to the effect that tha Industrial Exhibition building in that city is in @ backward state of preparation and carnot possibly be finished for use on the 1st of May, and rumora having been circulated again and again that a postponement of the opening of the Exposition is contemplated, I beg leave to state, for the informa- tion of the public, that, according to advices just received from the Director-in-Chief of the World's Fair, the grand opening of the Exposition will positively take place on the 1st of May, and that all reports to the contrary are unfounded. The preparations fer the opening were very fan advanced as early an the middle of March, and nothing has been leit undone since in order ta Teach a state of completion. While on this theme I would further say that thé reports about an existing scarcity of accommoda- tions, extravagant rents and exorbitant prices of all the necessaries of life, &c., are greatly ex- aggerated. A superficial count taken in the month of March revealed the fact that there were vacang at that early day 10,000 places of residence suitablg for trangjent visitors, at prices ranging from $1 ta $5 per day. At the Central Bureau for residences, No. 9 Licht- ensteinstrasse, established bythe Director-in-Chiet for the accommodation of visitors, there were them on the books two hundred to three hundred very, eligible residences at $20 to $30 a month per room. Lastly, several new hotels have been erected and the accommodations of the others increased, so that ample preparation has been made for the in- flux of strangers. Extensive arrangements were effected under the direction of the State and municipal authorities fon the increased demand for provisions of all kinds tov prevent a rise in prices, Excursion tickets to Vienna and back are issued! by all the continental railways and steamboat linea at reduced rates, ‘The reports about the prevalence of cholera are totally untrue. The sanitary condition of the city, on the contrary, is excellent and leaves nothing ta be desired. The authorities spare no pains to do all in their power to contribute to the comfort and conven- fence of visitors, Ihave the honor to be, &c., H. 0. FRITSCH, Imperial and Royal Vice Consal, SPAIN. shill Carlist Flight Before the Gerona Army Col: Bourbonist Brigandage—French De- parture from the Border Neutral- ity Order—Mutiny of Vol- unteers in Malaga. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. MADRID, April 19, 1873, The force of Carlists under Saballs has passe@ through Ripoli, in Gerona, closely pursued by & column of republicans, Roving bands of Carlists in the Northern Prov. inces continue to stop railway trains and rob the passengers, MUTINY OF VOLUNTEERS AT MALAGA. ‘The volunteers in Malaga mutinied yesterday an® Tefused to obey any orders from their officers, Great excitement prevailed in the city. ‘The leaders in the rebellious demonstrations were finally arrested and imprisoned, order’ ‘was restored, f To FRENCH GOVERNMENT SYMPAGEY. WITH THR RB France, at the request of the government of ‘Spain,, has given permission for the passage through French territory of a quantity of rifes and ammu- nition destined fer the Spanish forces at Puigcerda. ————— FIRE IN WILLIAM STREET, A fire broke ut last evening in the six story’ brick building 15 Wi caused Ae of 41.0 nn Site te belaiagiowwrea