The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1854-07-12
rr From the Baltimore PatriOf.
IDrsadfuI Railroad Accident Great
Loss of Life.


pened yesterday afternoon, near the ei-
ty, on the Baltimore and Susquehanns
Raileoad.
We are indebted to the extras issued
by the morning papeIs for many of the
details of the terrible calamity.
Early yesterday morning large num-
bsr of excursionists repaired to Riders
Grove, miles out on the railroad
TO spend the day. The accident ocur-
red about one mile this side of the Grove,
between the upward train for York and
one Of the trains containing a portion OF
the excurtionists, on their way to the
city.
The scene Of the accident was a curve
Of the road about midway between the
Reao HOnse and Riders Grove.
Three trains, full OF ladies and gentle
men, with children, left the city during
the day, to participate in the celebration.
Rteuruing, one of the trains left for Bal
timore at two O'Clock, another started at
five, and the third, with which the acci-
dent occurred, at about fifteen minutes
later.
At 25 minutes past o'clock yester-
day afternoon the regular train for York
left Calvert Station, consisting of four
passenger cars and baggage car-all
with the exception of the last car were fill /
led with passengers. Mr.. William Scott
was conductor, accompanied by Mr.. Hol-
lins. and other officers of the road, who
were repairing to Riders Grove to as
sist in the safe return Of the excursion |
sts. On arriving at the Relay House,
the York train, according to orders, pro-
ceeded TO lay off on the Green Spring
switch, where the instructions were that
it should wait until the excursion train
or trains passed. The express train from
York, due early in the day, which had
been thrown ont OF time, was waiting at
the Relay and after it had passed down
towards Baltimore, we waited for one ex-
cursion train, Of about sixteen cars, crow
Ged to excess, which passed down with
out giving any information to the conduc-
that two other trains were coming, which
unfortunately proved to be the case.
The road being now supposed TO be
clear the York train again took the main
track, and proceeded on, and had scarce
ly got fully under head way, when, about
three quarters of a mile from the Relay,
and about a mile from Riders, terri
bic crash, accompanied by rush of
steam brought all who were uninjured to
their feet, and on escaping from the wrec-
ked cars, most heart-rending scene,
presented itself, that it were impossible
to describe in all its horoors.
The locomotive attached to the excur-
sion train was behind, pushing the car,
that attached to the other train was in
front, and literally plowed its way into
the cals, loaded with passengers, in
front
About hafa dozen cars were crush
ed and shiyered to atoms, and large
number Of their unhappy inmates either
killed upon the spot or dfeadluliy injur-
ed. The scene is described as harrow
ing to the last degree. Several Of those
killed and wounded were so caught
in the wreck of the broken cars, that
they could not be released for a consider
/ able time.
| Axes and crow-bars were broughtintc
/ requisltion, and those alive and unhur
made superhuman efforts for their relief
The cry for water from the sufferers was
continual, and several persons were en-
gagged constantly in supplying them. l
was not, however, until the locomotive
attached to the excursion train had beer
attached to The crippled mass, that tht
dead and wounded were got out--A largt
number of these who escaped, walked t
town, while others came in whatever We
hicles could be obtained.
The centre of tho foremost car was fill
ed with the dead, dying and wounded
all wedged together in one mass with th
fragments Of the car, and the seats, S,
compact that it required half hour
time and the use OF axes to rescue the
wounded. A number of females and chill
dren were taken out from among th
!, dead scarcely injured, whilst throngl
the floor of the car could be seen th
protruding limbs of some who had beeI
Instantly struck dead.
Among the dead in the centre of thi
car was Mrs. Robertson, named in th
list below, yonng aud beautiful women
and Henry Clay Jelfers, the son of Mad
ison JelFers, bright and beautiful boy
the bodies of whom were so wedge
among the fragments of the two cars
which had been run through each othe
like a telescope, that it was impossible t
extrcate them, without hauling off tn
fragments of the upper car by :he Loco
motive, which was also necessary to re
lease the larpe number of unfortunat
creatures who still remained wedged be
tween the forward cars, some still aliv
and others dead. In removing the car
Mrs. Roberlson's body was literally tor
to pieces, but in the effort to r@cove
those in whom lie seill remained il be
came necessary to disregard the dead.
On all the platforms of the wrecke
, cars the destruction of life and limb wa
immense, and the cars being SO closel
wedged together it was utterly imposs
; bic for more than an hour to relieve an
Of them, although the screams of th
sufferers caused the most superhuman e1
eruons for their succour.
On the platform at the head Of the e.
cursion train four men were caught
the forepart af the engine, two OF thel
were instantly killed, and the other tw
! were fast by their limbs, suffering ii
! most excruciating agony, and almo
! roasted by the smoke pipe of the locom'
; tive. They both tainted from exhaus
ion before they could be rescued, requi
ing more than an hour OF incessant Ii
bor and one OF them subsequently, died.