44

THE ASHTABULA DISASTER.

A long line of men and boys reached from themain street toward the fatal spot. Horses andteams plunged madly by. Every available horsein one of the stables was put into use. Thesteamer was got out. The horses attachedpuiled and tugged the massive load.

“ Protection” engine was also manned at first,but afterwards drawn by a team secured. Hose-carts were taken for a distance, and then horseswere attached to these.

The villagers had become thoroughly aroused,and were straining every nerve to reach the tire.It had become known that the bridge was broken,and a passenger train was wrecked in the dread-ful gorge. An unregulated crowd was rushingwith all haste through the impeding drifts. Thethought with all was to hasten forward, and savethe living. It seemed an age before they couldreach the spot. Many became exhausted bvtbeir efforts. The snow and drifts were so deepthat none could make headway, except withdifficulty. Even teams were detained bv thesnow. It was at least twenty minutes before thecitizens arrived.