Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-04-05

DISTRESSING RAIL ROAD ACCIDENT.
A most distressing aud melancholy accident
occurred on the Richmond and Petersburg Rail.
road yesterday afternoon, at 5 o'clock, P. NJ, as
the Northern mail and passenger train was COM
ing South to this city.
The particulars we have gathered from tho
most reliable sources. persnns the train at the
time, and are as follows: The engineer informs
us, that when near the Clover Hill Junction and
tior, he discovered several hogs on the track. and
failing to frighten them off with the whistle, he
commenced shutting off steam. and was, conse-
quently, only running about twelve miles to the
hour at the time of the accident, The accident
was caused by piece of the rail having become
loose from the track, and is generally styled a
snake head
The engine, tender, crate, baggage and one pass
senger car, passed over the ''snake's head " with
out leaving the track, but the last passenger
coach was thrown from the rail. which caused
the centre pin which secures the front truck to
the coach to break, and the truck was immedi-
ately thrown up into the coach, which completely
tore up the bottom Of the coach, seats and every
thing else,
Some eight or ten persons only are injured,
and about four or five Of this number seriously
The following are the names of those who have
suffered the most: Mrs. Purnell. her little son, a
promising boy about ten years Of age, and maid.
Mrs. Purnell has both ankles very badly Iacera.
ted and bruised; her little son received blow
upon tn back of the head, and several cuts and
Commissions on various parts of the body. A very
likely mulatto girl, about Is years of age, mai
servant to Mrs Purne, has her right foot cut
entirely off, between the ankle aud the knee
Mr.. T. c. McIlhenny, brother In law of Mrs.
Purnes, has one of his knees badly bruised, but
is not otherwise seriously injured.
The parties aforementioned are all residents of
Wilmington, N. C. Mrs. Purnell is a widow
lady, and daughter of Ex-Governor Dudley of
Wilmington. An elderly gentleman from Ra.
leigh, N, c.. had his head very badly bruised,
bnt it is not thong hit to be seriously injured Tho
wounded party, with the exception of the SER
want girl, are all at the Bollingbrook, and receiv-
ing every attention and kindness which Colonel
Gillian and his assistants enabled to offer.
The servant girl was taken to private hospital
on Bank street, where upon examination, it was
found that her right leg had been severed near
the knee, producing frightful wound. Upon
consultation between Drs Rives, White, Clai-
borne and Dudley, it was found necessa ry to am
putate the limb at the thigh, and it was accord
ingy done
There were only about fifteen passengers n
the coach, and nc the present time OF writing, it
is thought lives will be 'ost. Had the train
been travelling at its usual gait there is no know
ing what the consequences would have be en-.
MIR. William Campbell, gentleman connect
cd with this office. sitting just opposite to
Mrs. Purnelrs son, when one of tho seats torn
up struck the norte-m onnaie in his pantaoons
pocket with such force rs break the iron frame
work around it; hut fortunately he escaped unln-
ured.
We are Informed this is the first serious acct
dent that has occurred or the road, and it
has now been in operation nearly eighteen
yenrs
P.S.-We have just learned that the ssrvsat
girl is dead. She expired about thirty minutes
after the amputation of the Injured leg.
LATER!-Mr. Dodamead, superintendent of
he Ro ad. left Petersburg yesterday morning
It 10 O. clock. and kindly Informs us that ", to
that hour Mrs. Pqrnell AID Mr.. McIhenny were
both doing WE'LL Mrs. PurnelIs son, however,
was lying in critical condition and fears were
entertained hat he would not survive the inju
ries he had received.