Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-01-12
Collision On the Pennsylvania Railroad.


Collision On the Pennsylvania Railroad.
At the time of our going to press on
Friday of last week, fears were entertained
that a serious accident had occurred on the
railroad, as the cars due on the previous
evening had not arrived at that time q
o'clock, P. NJ These apprehensions, we
regret to say, were fearfully realized.
The passenger train from M'Veytown
left Lewistown little after nine clock on
Thursday, and proceeded on its way east
at the rate of % miles an hour. AT a place
known as the 50 Poor Mans Spring" near
BaiIeysville, in Perry county, where there
is a considerable curve round the mountain,
the western burthen train was seen ap-
preaching, but at so short a distance that it
was found impossible to stop either train.
The result may well be conceived. \ most
terrible collision took place, demolishing
both engines, tenders, two burthen cars,
breaking the baggage car, and somewhat
injuring the passenger cars. +. X. Hcis-
ley, of Harrisburg, supervisor of the road,
was on the tender, making efforts to reach
the baggage car when the collision took
place, and was so much injured that he died
shortly afterwards. Joseph Hahn, the con-
ductor of the passenger train, had a leg
broken and his left foot crushed. Henry
Hull, the engineer on the passenger train,
was scalded about the legs and feet but
not dangerously. He is said to have cX-
hibitcd much presence of mind, having re-
verscd his engine the moment he saw the
other train coming round the curve, ran
over the tank and jumped on top of the
baggage car before the collision took place
Mr.. Cook, the baggage master, was slight
ly hurt. The passengers escaped serious
injury. The conductor, engineer, and fire
man Of the burhen train all jumped eff in
safety-and the first named, Mr.. Beale,
of Juniata county, to whom, if we are cor
rectIy informed, the accident is attributable,
at once fled into the mountains. The dead
and wounded were taken to Harrisburg.
The loss to the company cannot be less
than from $4,000 to $4,000.
1t is said that the burthen train, which
ought TO have remained at Duncannon, was
within three minutes of making the station
at Bailev's; and what is remarkable the
two trains met on the very spot more like
ly to create fatal collision than perhaps
any other between this place and Harris
burg.
When the Central road was put IN ope-
ration, we entertained hopes that a long
time would clapse before we would be
called upon to chronicle so sad disaster
as that given above, or if any occurred,
that it would be one of those which no
human ken could foresec. In this respect,
we must confess, we have been grieyouslv
disappointed, and we also believe that the
public has been equally so. The lives of
passengers ought not 10 be placed at the
mercy of every reckless conductor or en-
gineer who may choose to leopard their
safety, by taking upon himself the respon
sibility of proceeding from one station TO
another when passenger trains are due
and the company owes il TO the travelling
community, as well as those residing along
the line who now have no other mode of
conveyance than the railroad, TO inquire
whether It's agents are such persons as may
be trustcd--in whose judgement ana dis-
crction the public may rely. II this Is
not done, or unless some one Is authorised
to exercise sufficient authority at the dill
lcrent stations To prevent trans from pro-
eeed,nu when others are due, less than n
prophet can predict that the end is not vet.