The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-07-14
From tbe baltimore Patriot. 5th inst.

/ FROM Tie DdillulOIe obu
DREADFUL RAILROAD ACCIDENT.
AWFUL CRASH on THE sUsQUEHASsA RAILROAD
One of the most appalling accidents which
ever occurred in our midst, happened yester-
day afternoon, near the city, on the Baltimore
and Susquehanna Railroad.
Early yesterday morning large number Of
excursionsts repaired TO Riders Grove, 9
miles out on the railroad, to spend the day.
| The accident occurred about one mile this
eide of the Grove, between the upward train
! from New York and one Of the trains con-
tanning portion of the excursionists, on their
way to the city.
The scene of the accident was curve of
the road about midway between the Relay
House and Riders Grove.
Three trains, full of ladies and gentlemen,
with children, left the city during the day to
participate in the ceebration Returning,
one of the trains left for Baltimore at two
o'clock, another started at five, and the third,
in which the accident occurred, at about fif-
teen minutes later.
At % minutes past o'clock yesterday af.
ternoon the regular train for New York left
Calvert Station, consisting of four passenger
cars and a baggage car-all with the excep-
| ton of the last car were filled with passen-
gers. MIR. WIN. Scott WINS conductor, accom-
panied by Mr.. Holins, and other officers Of
the road, who were repairing to Riders Grove
to assist in the arrangements for the safe re-
turn of the excursiOnists. On arriving at the
Relay House, the York train, according to
orders, proceeded 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 out of time, was waiting at the Relay,
and after it had passed down towards Balti-
more, we waited for one excursion train, of
about sixteen cars, crowded to excess, which
passed down without giving any information
to the conductor that two other trains were
coming, which unfortunately proved to be
the case. 80
The road being now supposed to be clear,
the York train again took the main track. and
proceeded on, and had scarcely got fully un-
der weigh, when, about three quarters of
mile from the Relay, and about mile from
Riders, terrible crash, accompanied by u
rush OF steam, brought all who were unin-
iured to their feet, and on escaping from the
wrecked ears, most heart rending scene
presented itself, that it were impossible to
describe in all its horrors.
The locomotive attached to the excursion
train was behind, pushing the cars that at
tached to the other train Was in front, and
literally plowed its way into the cars, loaded
with passengers in front.
About half dozen cars were crushed
and shivered to atoms, and large num-
Der of their unhappy inmates either killed
upon the spot or dreadfuly injured. The
| scene is described as narrowing to the last
degree. Several of those killed and wound
ed were so caught in the wreck of the broken
sars that they could not be released for q
considerable time.
Axes and crow-bars were brought into re-
QUESTION, and those alive and unhurt made
superhuman efforts for their relief. The cry
for water from the sufferers was continual,
and several persons were engaged constantly
in supplying them. II was not, however, UNI
til the locomotive attached to the excursion
had been attached to the crippled mass, that
the dead and wounded were got out A
large number of those who escaped walked
to town, while others came in in whatever
vehicles could be obtained.
The centre of the foremost car was filed
with the dead, dying and wounded, all wedg-
ed together in one mass with the fragments
of the car and the seats, so compact that it
required half hours time and the use Of
axes to rescue III. wounded a number Of
females and children were taken out from
among the dead and scarcely injured, whilst
through the floor Of the ear could be seen
the protruding limbs Of some who had been
instantly struck dead.
Among the dead in the centre of this car
was Mrs. Robertson, young and beautiful