The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-05-11
Railroad Massacre,

A terribly fatal collision occurred on the
26th ult., on the southern Michigan Rail
road, eight miles from Chicago. Some Is
to 90 persons were killed, and about SO
badly wounded, some supposed fatally.
The accident occurred at the crossing of
the Michigan C. and S. M. Railroad.
The locomotive of the express struck the
sixth car Of the emigrant train. In a mo.
ment, locomotive, tender, baggage car,
and one second class car of the former,
and three Of the latter, were a heap of
ruins.
Says the Chicago Tribune -
On the northerly side ofthe Central track
one first class passenger car was thrown
upon its side, and groans and cries assail-
ed the ears of those who fastened from
ed their position. Those in this car were
aided to escape from the confusion and
from the danger of %suffocation, and it was
found that none were dangerously injur-
ed though several received severe bruises.
The scene which presented itself on the
other side of the Central track nno be
fully described, and time will not efface
the memory Of thatterrible and heart-rend-
ing spectacle, from the mind Of the unwil.
ling beholder.
We saw a heap of ruins. from beneath
which shrieked out upon the midnight air,
cries for help. mingled in strange discord
with the deeper toned groans of the dying,
One by one those who were able crawled
out from the rubbish, while the uninjured
were fully employed in rendering assis
lance to those unable to extricate them.
selves.
Each moment the scene became, If pos
sible. more heart-rending. Here sat a poor
woman with a broken limb, and her little
daughter stood by her side weeping. and
begging for assistance. There Law a young
German dead. his sister by his side, wiring
ing her hands, and crying "mein Bruder
mein Bruder." Here a little child crying
30, my father there a woman waiting
for the loss of her infant. A woman dead
her mangled features were partially con
cealed by a cloak, and at her side only
faithful dog.
Beneath one edge Of the car appeared
the bald head and one hand of an old man
The leg of one and the body of anothel
were also visible beneath the car.
Three children, from three to ten year.
of age, were taken out Of the water. ant
placed side by side. At the head Of on
sat the bereaved father. No one came +
claim the other two.
An infant was picked out Of ther ruins
unframed, but no mother could be foun'
for it.
Those most dangerously injured wer
conveyed into the unframed cars. an
rendered as comfortable as possible. Wit
some the struggle between life and dealt
seemed uncertain.
The Coroner's jury declare that the &C
cident was caused by the gross careless
ness and neglect Of Moses NJ. Tyler, cor
ductor, and Thomas Blackham, engineer
on the NJ. C. R. R., and also, Herbert |
Whitney and Edward Davis. engineers o
the NJ. S. R. R. They also hold Mr.. Joul
iette. the superintendent Of the machine {
Michigan City, as %censurable in not flu,
nishing the Central R. R., now in questio
with proper materials for lights on the er
gines, and deem him unfit for the static
he now occupies. st8e
The Cleveland Herald says the testime
ny is strong enough against the engineer
and conductors to hang them. If it wi
not convict them Of manslaughter-eye
murder-there is no use for testimony.
is the most Internal slaughter of lille by raj
road officers. ever recorded.