Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-04-30
Frs~ "a Nse Ysrk coa-s<rei@i .fpvii -.
FIRE ON THE RAIL ROAD.


Yesterday, soon after the cars had
departed from Bordentown. and when
about two miles from the Sand Hills,
the conductor discovered that the bag
gage was on fire. The engine was
immediately stopped, and every excr-
ton used 10 exting'ish the flames; but
being some distance from water and
procuring but two buckets, tho fire soon
obtained such n head way, tina; il was
found impracticablc to put i, out
Efforts were now made to obtain an
axe Co cut away the sides of the car
but this could not be procured; and the
only resort was tn capsixc 1t, when IL
rolled over. and unfortunately rested
bottom up, preventing any access to the
trunks, Sc. The passengers (and there
were upwards of two hundred) had To
stand by and witness the destruction
of their property, saving now and then
an article as IL could bc snatchcd from
theiflames. The wind blew very fresh.
and the hire was seen n, great dis
lance, and many persons came from the
Sand Hills. distance OF three or four
miles, bat only To witness the destruc-
ton that was going on. Knowing that
the cars bound South were approach
ing. an engine was sent of To stop
them. Besides the Passengers bag
gage, the mail bag was totally burnt.
with all the newspapers. The letters
were also much mutilsted, many of
them burnt but the number Is not ascer-
tanned. The number Lost cannot be
known until we learn the amount OF
mail sent from Philadelphia. as the
way bill which accompanied il was
burnt. A scorchcd bundle Of letters
has been received. and the supcrscrip-
lions on foIty-four were decyphcred.-
How the fire originated has not been
aSccrtained, bat u Is believed To have
caught from a spark from tie chimney
Of the engine. The loss is great, hut
We have not been able 10 ascertain the
amount. We have heard various sums
mentioned, from ) Ia 10000 dollars
Many OF the passengers were left en-
tirrly deStitute-and we have heard
of some peculiar cases OF misfortune
Among the number, is that Of n lady
with child. who had journey OF
more than six hundred miles To- perform.
and who lost every vesiige Of her
property. Some of the passengers re-
turned Immediately to Philadelphia:
and those who came on, on their arri-
val on board the steam boat at Ambov.
held meeting, nnd endeavorcd TO as
certain the amount each had lost. A
committee was then appointed 10 wait
upon the Rail Road Company, and To
Law the case before them
The following additional particulars
we copy from the y. Y. Gazette
Among the passengers who were the
greatest sufferers, were Mrs. Re-.
of Boston, and Mrs. Austin of the The
airc. The former lost large quantity
of valuable clothing. worth Sl5OO, but
fortunately saved her diamonds and
other jewellery. Mrs. Austin also lost
all her baggage. including many valua-
bic articles Of dress, but saved box Of
jewels which was proyidcntially taken
from the centre of the trunk.
a German gentleman and his wife
who had lost all their clothing, were
fortunate enough t. recover a tin box,
which was IN one of their trunks, con-
tanning documents necessary for the
recovery Of large estate in Europe.
whittier he is proceeding for that pur-
pose.
Mr.. Knowles, OF Amherst, Mass.
had package in his trunk, containing
fif,ccn thousand dollars, which was
fortunately rescued from the flames,
the top of the trunk having been burnt
up. We understand the money was
put in Lis charge by one Of the PhiIa-
delphia Banks. for New York Bank.
We understand the agent Of the
Company acted with great GOODNESS and
Intrepidiiy, and did every thing in his
power to arrest the progress of the
flames.
When the passengers got on board
the steamboat, a meeting was called TO
take the matter into consideration. Jos.
=. Grant, Esq. of Baltimore, was APP
pointed Chairman, and J. J. Smith,
Jr. Of Philadelphia, Secretary. a COM
'n'ttcc Of three was appointed TO call
upon the Company aud represent the
nature Of the accident and request re-
numcrliion To the sufferers.
Copy of letter addressed bv the
Agent Of the Camden and Ambov
Rail Road Company at Bordeniown, 70
the Agent at Philadelphia:
BORDENTowN, APRIL ~, IS35.
Sir arrived ON the ground soon
after the fire Of the baggage car to-day.
in orderto secure any thing that might
be valuable, but arm sorry 10 saw could
not find any thing Il importance. but
burnt TRUNKS. sc. The destruction Of
which was very considerable.
Upon making every enquiry in my
power, feel persuaded the fire did
not originate from sparks from the en-
gine. but by the ignition of n large
quantity Of Lucifcr matches. IA sample
II which | have retained, which were
IN some case or trunk IN the crate
The e matches, YOU know. ignite by
friction. As regards their being in
the crate. ] called the attention of more