Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-05-13
EVENING STAR.
WASHINGTON:
KEEP IT BEFORE THE PEOPLE.

Whatever may be the course of other
journals with reference to the recent afro
cious Railroad Massacre, the Evening Star
will continue to exhibit the enormity of the
deed, and urge the people forward to their
stern duty on the subject of such outrages
Our paper will turn neither to the right
hand nor the left, through fear or favor of
all the monopolies in the land
1t is impossible for us to present all the
facts bearing on this frightful slaughter of
human beings, but we will keep our citizens
informed of those Immediately demanding
attention.
A gentleman who escaped by being in one
of the last cars, says:
"Was such a sight ever before presented
to mortal eyes as beheld-a new and pow
erful locomotive, with its tender, baggage
and smoking car, two first class passenger
cars, scores of human beings living, man.
gled and dead, all in one confused mass !
The utmost CONSERVATION at once prevailed
the little helpless child screaming for it's
mother, the wife shrieking for the assist
ance Of her husband, friends beseeching any
one for help. But alas many implored in
vain. Heaven forbid that may ever again
be compelled to behold so heart-rending q
spectacle"
At the meeting of the citizens of Norwalk,
to adopt measures calculated to prevent the
occurrence of similar catastrophe, large
number of persons assembled on an elevated
piece of ground overlooking the fatal draw
bridge. There were the wrecks of the cars
strewed upon the bank of the river, and as
it was low water, the smoke pipe of the
engine and part of the tender could be seen
above its surface-silent but expressive
witnesses of that recklessness, to which the
valuable lives of forty-four human beings
had been sacrificed
This meeting was one of the most res
pectable ever held in this country.
AT the close of the proceedings, form of
petition was presented for signatures, to be
laid before the Connecticut Legislature,
now in session. Some of its provisions are
applicable to railroads in other parts of the
country. These we subjoin:
6 Your petitioners would humbly suggest
that the drawbridges of some of the rail-
roads are particularly unsafe, and they
pray therefore that inspectors may be ap-
pointed, whose duty it shall be to examine
said bridges at least four times each year.
"Your petitioners believe that the system
of having balls for signals is particularly
unsafe, and pray that said system may be
abolished, and something more efficient
substituted.
"Your petitioners would further suggest
that every railroad train be required to
stop at least 1000 feet before every draw
bridge; that gates be erected at every
crossing, to be closed until the approach of
each train; and that policemen be stationed
at not more than one mile apart, to see that
the road is at all times passable, and to
give notice if any danger is apprehended."
The following statement of gentleman
of undoubted veracity, who narrowly es-
capped, shows how culpable was the negli-
gence of the engineer: ''Just before reach
ing the bridge is a short curve, and 1 was
reliably informed that the engineer in a |
frolicking way, wished to carry some one
by Norwalk who wanted to stop there, and
therefore he drove on with more than usual
speed, for he thought that before reaching
Norwalk he saw the signal high up above
the curve, where he usually sees it when the
bridge is shut, and when he can proceed
with safety. As soon as he saw the bridge
at right angles with his track, he blew his
whistle and jumped from the engine with
the firemen, well knowing the shocking fate
which awaited the whole train
This is startling testimony, and we do not
see how it is possible to exculpate the engi-
neer, or the conductor, or the company that
employs such men. 1t is impossible for
them to be exculpated. The people-the