The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-30
Further Particulars Of the Accident at the

- =
Further Particulars OF the Accident al the
Camden Course. ys.
The scene at the moment when the stand fellwas
truly horrific; the around gave way with ter
rifc shout, mingled with groans. AS soon as the
dust created by the falling Of the building had sub
sided, the numbers around rushed to the spot. The
first thing that attracted attention was the arm of
person projecting from between two beams; il wal
but the work OF moment in extricating him; he
was perfectly insensible-al said he was dead his
face and head was much cut. This is the person
that was said to be Mr.. Frazer, the vocalist, but a
forwards II was found to be Mr. O'Daniel, of Phila.
adelphia. Others were removed in quick success
~ Those that could not help themselves, were
g. led or borne to the Whitehall Hotel; while a
G number might be seen in torn habiliments, hob
blin9 away as we'll and as eagerly as they could;
others borne off by their friends.
Here we must say, we heard Of some rascally i'm
position of the Philadelphia carmen, under the cir
cumstances, charging as much as five and ten dol
lars for vehicle to convey the unfortunates to Cam
den. This was not the only specimen of imposition
that was levied on the parties present. When the
stand fell the,principal bars in the neighborhood
were demolished, some by the crash and others
again closed up from fear. The consequence was,
that several parties brought on the ground for
this they charged vepence glass, not Directing to
sixpence, strongly impregnated with Jersey sand
More than one teetotaler complained Of this exac-
non, and some from New York said that Mayor
Harper's tin cans around the fountain in the Park,
were far preferable and not so thick ,besdes being
much superior; and that if Philadelphians charged
thus for water, there was no (pockeD benefit in be-
ing teetotalers. Ma e es
Here might be seen some twenty or thirty persons
at one time jumping from the front of the stand,
height of near upon twenty feet while few others
on the roof made leap still greater; many Of them
were fortunate enough to clear the falling fragments;
others were struck by pieces of timber in their de-
scent. or after they alighted on the ground. One
well known in the sporting circles of this city,
jumped upon piece of perpendicular TIMBER which
caught his trousers and ripped them up from ankle to
waist but fortunately was the means of throwing
him at greater distance from the falling fragments,
with little injury to his side and hip. Another
made spring, and somehow in his descent chung to
piece OF falling timber which got SO placed when it
reached the grounds to make angle Of about 45o
down which the party slid, and reached terra E,r1a
in personal safety butwith his habiliments much torn
Another was heard exclaiming-" D. my eyes Bill.
look out stick to-it's all right " and the persons
might be seen clnging round ofthe uprghts ofhe
Club Stand while the parts adjoining were Frustrated
with the earth. Then again several hundreds might
be observed anxiousy nquiring after friends and ac-
quantances, running to and fro almost in state of
frenzy. The many hair-breadth escapes were truly
surprising. The party before alluded to, that repro
bated another for calling out, the stand is falling,
was knocked down by piece of timber, with his
head against barrel-across which the timber lay
falling Fragments with his leg raised upwards at an
angle, his head escaping with but triflng in
jury. The person that was rebuked was not SO for
tunae; he was severely bruised in various parts OF
the body, and was borne off the ground by his
friends One person had justleft that portion Of the
stand which fell and reached the ground to speak to
friend he had observed below, when he heard the
first crack given; he looked around for the cause,
three PAGES farther, when he heard second crack,
and upon again. looking around, observed the
stand shelving inward as before mentioned
He was almost instantaneously covered with
dust, to such an extent to obscure his
vision, and found himself surrounded by the
falling fragments, heavy beam of which struck
within SIX inches of his feet, alarming more than
injuring, him.. When those on the stand found it
great pressure on a certain part beyond the stair
case, OF about ten twelve yards square, fell in like
trap door, gently depositing those it below in
comparative safety; the only damage they received
coming in contact with those beneath them and, be-
yond few bruises, at this spot no damage was DONE
These are but few samples of the hair breadth es-
capes which were passing round hundreds of others
no doubt occurred IN various parts. 1t may be con-
sldered as one OF the most miraculous events that
has ever happened in this country, that so frghnu
and appalling accident has been attended with so
little serious or mortal injury. Immediately on
its occurrence, every one on the ground believed
that large number OF lives had been lost, and
persons started to bring the distressing news to Pha-
dephia As soon it reached that city. the great
est CONSERVATION ensued, and all the wharves where
far
ious to ascertain the latest intelligence Great was
the rejoicing when it was known that there was not
a single person killed.
There were also some amusing incidents, that did
not fail to draw forth smile from some who wit
messed them, Notwithstanding the awful uncertainty
into which all parties were thrown ut the moment
For instance, there was much petty gambling going
On; On previous to the race A the time Of
dupes hastily left their pursuits to lend their aid,
and one of the former even forgot to lift what
change was on the s'sweat CLOTH" when an old
one, Notwithstanding the horror OF the moment,
said, with the most perfect sang troid, itsno harm
to steal from these fellows"-and suiting the action
to the word, put the change in his pocket and made
off, In the hurry Of the moment many of the tables
were overturned, and the contents of the different
banks scattered on the ground general scramble
ensued, and it was not until the falling fragments
around warned them to desist, that the struggle
given up. Here might be seen a fellow running
away with couple of bottles under his arms,
again another would be seen with a hat full of oys-
tiers, another with crackers and sandwiches. Thus
matters went on, notwithstanding the prospect of
death and danger that prevailed.
We are glad to say, that lthere is every reason to
believe, that the party mentioned Mr. Frazer, the
vocalist, turns out to be very different individual
Mr.. O'Danie, previously mentioned. In adj
dition to. those already mentioned as injured,
we learn that young man named Garrick Sharpe,
of Philadelphia, had one. Of his legs broken. He
was taken to the city, and conveyed to the Pennsyl
vania Hospital.
When the excitement had somewhat subsidized,
and the race was announced to come off, with
recklessness which seemed almost to invite
accident and death, persons crowded upon
the remaining parts of the building, and even
upon the Stacking wall which still hung
leaning in the air. Indeed, we never saw any acct
dent so appalling, the impressions of which seemed
so soon to die away from individuals minds in the
excitement of the race.
The races announced to come off on Thurs
day are postponed until to-day. We believe the
mile race of Wednesday did not come off,
The following is the summary of the race such