Washington telegraph., 1854-08-02
al details of the Awful Railroad Accident

,.u details of the Awful Railroad Accident
In the Baltimore Evening Patriot, of the 9th
n we find detailed accounts of one OF the most
nnalling railroad catastrophes that ever occurred
TS5o accident happened during the afternoon, near
patimore. on the Baltimore and Sasquehanna
Paroad. We quote from the Patra9t:
Early Yesterday morning large number OF
.xcursonists repaired to Riders Grove, nlne miles
ant on the railroad, 10 spend the day. he accl-
5ntoccurred about ole mile this SIDE OF the GTove,
Sotueen the upward train ior York and one OF the
anS containing portion OF the excursionists, on
uav to the citv. The scene of the accident
In. cnrve of the road about midway between
w. w. Relav House and Riders Grove. Three
ms fnII of ladies and gentlemen, with children,
o+ the CITY during the day, to participate in the
sIabration. Returning one of the trains left for
p,I4imore at 9 o'clock, another started at 5. and
lbn third. with which the accident occurred, at
.bout fifteen minutes later.
At - minutes past o'clock yesterday after
roon the regular train for York left Calvert Sta
I;on consisting of four passenger cars and bag
aoga car-all with the exception of the last car
we're filed with passengers. Mr.. William Scott
,r.s conductor accompanied " Mr.. Hollins. and
otber officers Of tie road. who were repairing to
pliers Grove, to assist in the arrangements for
tbo safe return of their excursionists On arri-
.ino at the Relay House, the York train accord
mo- to orders proceeded to lay off on the Green
S91ng switch, where the instructions were that
i should wait until the excursion train or trains
nasse9 The express train from York, due carly
= tbe dav, which had been thrown out of time,
was waiting at the Relay, aud after it had pass
o5 towards Baltimore, we waited for one excur-
Zion train. of about 6 cars, crowded to excess,
which passed down without giving any informa-
finn TO the conductor that two other trains weee
aiming. which unfortunately proved to be the
case.
The road being now supposed to be clear, the
York train again took the main track, and pro-
cpe1ed on and had scarcely got fully under way,
when. about three-quarters OF mile from the
RELAY. and about mile from Riders terrible
crash. accompanied by rush OF steam. brought
III who were uninjured to their feet, and on es-
Gaming from the wrecked cars, most heartrend-
ing scene presented itself, that it impossible
To describe it In all its horrors
The locomotive attached to the excursion train
ras behind pushing the cars; that attached to the
other train was in front and literally paved its
vav into the cars, loaded with passengers in
front.
About half dozen cars We're crushed and shiv-
cred TO atoms, and large number of their un-
bappv inmates either killed on the spot or dread
fIv injured The scene is described as harrow
ing to the last degree. Several of those killed
and wounded were caugh int in the wreck OF the
broken cars, that they could not be released for
considerable time.
Axes and crov-bars Were brought into requisi-
+on, and those alive and unhurt made superhu-
man efforts for their relief The cry for water
from the sufferers was continued, and several per-
sons were engaged constantly in supplying them
II was not however. until the locomotive attach
ed to the excursion train had been attached to the
crippled mass, that the dead and wounded We're
lorO bor Of -bo
walked to town, while others came in in what
ever vehicles could be obtained.
The centre of the foremost car was filled with
the dead dying and wounded, all wedged +ogeth-
er 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 the wounded
number of females and children were taken
out from among the dead scarcely injured, whilst
through the floor of the car could be seen the pro-
truding limbs of some who had been instantly
struck dead.
On all the platforms of the wrecked cars the
destruction OF life and limbs was immense, and
the cars being so closely wedged together it was
utterly impossible tor an hour TO relieve any of
them although the screams of the sufferers caus-
ed the most superhuman eNertions tor their sue
cor.
On the platform at the head of the excursion
train, four men Were caught by the fore part of
the engine, two OF them were instantly killed,
and the other two Were fast by their limbs, suf-
terng the most excIuciating agony, and almost
roasted by the smoke pipe OF the locomotive
They both tainted from exhaustion before they
could be rescued. requiring more than hour c {
InceSSant labor and one OF them subsequently,
died
Two or three Were instantly killed also on the
front platform of the York train one OF whom
was Benjamin Merryman, the baggage master,
who met death standing manfuly at his post
at his break, endeavorlng to check the destruc-
ton.
The accident occurred at 90 minutes past o.
clock and it was half-past o'clock before the
last body was taken from the wreck. The dead.
the dying and the wounded, were strewn about
on the grass, some of the bodies horribly mangled
whilst the broken limbs and deep gashes in the
bodies of the wounded, rendered it certain that
many were injured beyond recovery.
Messengers were sent to the city. Immediately
after the accident, for relief and number of ply
Scans, were soon on the ground as also were a
number from the vicinity, who labored unremit-
tngy to relieve the sutferlngs OF the unfortunate
creatures strewn about.
The principal portion of the sufferers were in
the excursion trains, although several of those in
The accommodation train were also killed and
wounded.
The bodies of the dead were all placed in one
car, and piled up one upon another. presenting a
chastity spectacle. Most of them had been instant
y killed by the crash, some of them being horri-
bly, crushed and mutilated in manner. to sicken
the beholder of the spectacle. The wounded were
made as easy as possible and, in most of TIE cases
their friends were at the depot, and had them i'm
mediately removed.
large number of gentlemen remained on the
ground all night, rendering every possible aid in
eItrlcating the dead and wounded.
Telegrdphed to the ~ 0. Picayune.