The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-05-13
SIS, Ol0,l35
4,6I7,226i

From the Philadelphia Chronicle Extra, Nav 3.
TERRIBLE RAIL ROAD ACCIDENT-COLLIS-
ION OF THE CARS-LOSS OF LIFE AND
! MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.
We regret to have to record an accident ola fright
tul and serious character, on the r all Road between
Philadelphia and Baltimore, last nigh-the result OF
collision by two opposite trains of cars.
About four and half miles below IIavre de Grace
and while the upward train, with several hundred
passengers were proceeding very slow rate it was
met t the curve near Shrewsbury Mills by the train
from Philadelphia, travelling ut the rate OF seventeen
miles an hour, and n dreadful conclusion ensued
The fret person discovered to have been injured
was Mr. Hill, the conductor, who was lying on the
road, with his leg cut clean off below the
knee. Ills first exclamation, on being accostsd was
whether any of the passengers hurt and he ap-
pearcd satisfied on being told that it thought no
one was killed.
His Conduct is highly extoIlcd by several passen-
gers with whom we have conversed. He imme-
mediateIy cared fer-hs leg amputated by physi-
clan, and he left doing well.
The next person discovered wac a breakman, who
standing along side of Mr. Hill. On attempting
to raise him, ii found that he was dead his life
had been sacrificed while endeavorng to save the pas
sengers.
The fireman found jammed between the two
locomotives and il with grea, difficulty that he
was eSrtricated One of his legs WINS smashed-hs
whole person scaIded in a dreadful manner, and pre-
sented the appearance OF a body that had remained
weeks in the water. He was still, alive; but the ply
sicans said that it impossible for him survive.
passenger {the only one seriously huH,) got
out during the time the others we're being removed.
fe had hoe tba siNths Of ha cropa
Of the upward train, and when found, was nearly
dead, his back broken, and his whole body dreadful
ly mangled lie was from one of the interior towns
of this State: forbenr to give the name reported
TO us, informant positive of its
racy.
The tender hayng entered the struck him
the back, and fell partly on him. 1t passed the first
five benches, doing but little injury to the passengers
seated on them-which is an unaccountabe miracle
The clothes of many OF them were torn into ribbons
but they received no bodily hurt.
Mr. Durable, grandson of the Hon Henry Clay
sitting on the fourth bench; when discovered, ne
was damned into a space Of about inches. 1t
with great difficulty that he removed, when it
was discovered that he was not injured in the least
His clothes were into shreds, his flesh chafed
little, but he not at all severely hurt 1t is
miracle how he was sayed-the passengers who aid
ed him out say it 81 almost incredible.
A German gentleman, passenger in the down
ward train, leaped from the car before mentioned
standing in the air resting the smoke pipe Of
gina. He Jared hmselfa little, but seemed delight
ed at his escape. No other passenger in that train
was hurt
There were seyers distinguished citizens in the
cars of the upward ,rain at :he time Of the collision,
among whom was Hon. Daniel Webster, and Mr. Ora
ham, of New York City.
An express was despatched to IIavre de Grace, for
another locomotive, and the passengers were con-
veyed to Wilmington, where they took passage for
Philadelphia, and arrived between and o'clock
this morning, having been l3 hours the road.
A meeting held the boat, at which the Hon.
Daniel Webster presided,