Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-08-08
Dreadful accident on the Rcading and PousriHc
po;Irood- SereraL Lirts Last,

Dreadful accident on the Rcading and PousrtHe
Raiiroad-Sererat LireS Lost.
We are indebted to our attentive Reading Cores
pondent, and 10 J. Doras, Esq for the following par
ticulars of most appalling accident, which occurred
about 3 o'clock yesterday morning, on the Reading
Railroad.
Two burden trains, one containing wood and the
other coal, met near the farm Of Mr.. Hester, two and
4 half miles above Reading, and owing TO some mlsun
derslanding as to the time OF starting, and the dense
fog which covered the earth, a %frightlul collision took
Mace. The Engineer upon the coal tram heard The
other train approaching, and had barely time 10 alarm
his men, reverse the engine, and leap from ", wheh
The cars met. The wood cars were IN trent OF the
epJine, and the Engineer and those with him knew
ooihing of their danger until the crash. Several poor
Iaborers were asleep in the wood cars, and three OF
them were instantly killed, and several others seriously
injured. The names Of those killed are Gotiiried
rornwalt, his son Daniel Fornwalt, and George
Hickman. OF thosa injured, but living when our
informant left, one wes name SeIdell, Engineer on The
wood tram, and Samuel Shulze and Conrad FaSer.-
The names OF the others we did not learn.
From the accounts we have, the collision was a fear
rul Que. One lncomoiive and about twenty cars were
literally smashed IN pieces, and The other engine was
nearly ruined. Both trans were under full speed
when The accident occurred.
Thrilling Scene on the Railroad.-The night line
from Harrisburg was somewhat delayed on Monday,
and n singular as well as an exciting scene at The In
clined Plane, principally occasioned that delay. When
St'S ~
the cars arrived al the Inclined Fame, the lights, as
usual, were deficient. The attends nts could scarcely
see TO attach the rope to the train; and IN Tact, owing
10 this miserable and inexcusatle deficiency, were not
enabled 10 secure The rope properly and we'll. Inc
consequence was, that the train had Scarcely passed
off the level aad began lis fearful descent before
SNAP .'cracs, - chang, went The rope, and instant
" the oaths, EXPLANATIONS and screams oil The pnssen
gers filed The air. Every man, woman and chlld, an
ticipa,ed instant destruction. The sudden and awful
pause which followed, was deemed to be the pause be-
force inevitable destruction. OF course the windows of
the car were thr,wn open, and men, who had presence
of mind enough threw themselves h%eadlong into the
road. Women shrieked in very agony; while one,
IN her fright, absolutely attempted, mother-like,
10 throw her inf,nt out, in order TO save its life at
the expense of her own. She was forcibly pre-
vented. The guatest possible confusion and con
s,ernation reignei. The officers of the road were
not less alarmed than the passengers. AT length
quiet was restored. and an investigation took place
1t was discovered that although the rope had
slipped, the s'breaki had held the cars, and thus saved
The lives which would have been otherwise sacrificed.
No thanks to the negligence of those who should have
furnished lights enouSh to see tie rope well fastened.
[Phitad. Spirit Of the Times.