Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-08-18
VOLUME III.
From Evening Edition of yeterdayJ
The Portsmouth and Roanoke Railway DIS

aster.
On the 9Th day of August | left my residence IN
Nansemond for Portsmouth, where had business 70
During my stay in this town. large party o
ladies' and gentlemen from the nelghporns counues ar
rived from Old Point whittier they had been on plea
sure excursion With most of them was acquainted.
Every body was delighted with the trip, and the many
beautiful Virginia women looked more beautiful than
ever
Thirteen cars with than 200 passengers started
an Friday the llth at o'clock in the morning. Joy
was in every countenance and conversation such
a height that
every tongue did speak of pleasure
Laundering along the narrow rail went our cars. We
passed Suffolk. The half deserted country flew by us,
and the mild, balny air Of the morning famed the float
ing curs Of the pretty sitting with me in car No
They had taken off their bonnets
The pace of the engine seemed somewhat slackened.
On looking out found ascending the high en-
bankment, Goodwins landing Still on we drove
with almost the speed of lightning; the path either
side, you looked down upon it, seeming to recede
like ribbon drawn swiftly along.
whats that 7" exclaimed one of the passengers.
rumbng was heard at the instant like distant thun-
der increasing fearully upon the and startling the
most composed mind
Three beautiful beings walked this earth, sat
on the front Immediately opposite me- Their ia
in instant lost all their gaiety and ashy pale
ness ame DER their features
Be not alarmed" said l, kindly, to them
"The lumber train" exclaimed at that moment
twenty voices.
"Oh God we are lost y burst from the lips of one
of these lovely creatures. 1 felt slowly
ding. moment more and was seated on the edge OF
the embankment. looked There came the lumber
down like autumn Tempest
among the newly fallen leaves One scream and
all over
saw the engines meet saw the first passenger car
mount high in air and crush beneath it the second.
saw the three lovely beings with whom had just spo-
KEN bend their fra bodies forward beneath the ncum
bent mass. /
When came to my senses, was lying my back
in the agony. My right arm was broken, and
had received severe confusion in the chest by the
violence with which to the ground in my leap.
They told me all. You have had the whole details.
am in mood to go them again.
If this sketch of what occurred personally will
be of any use TO you, publish tiff not, burn it |
suffering excrucating pains in my left arm. My
daughter writes this while dictate
shall never forget the meeting of these trains, if
live thousand years. II seemed if two worlds
had met. Loud and shrl the crash went up l must
have tainted at the moment, for / remember
But the three young and beautiful beings Of the front
seat The very recollection brings into my eyes
and makes me feversh Their Misses
Elizabeth McClenny, Margaret Roberts, and Jemima
Ely. Why should it be that such women should be de
manded the sacrifice inventions and the on
ward spirit of the age? The of human life
truly in the hollow of His hand who guides the
and directs the whrlwind