Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1855-11-06

The TERRIBLE RAILROAD ACCIDENT NEAE SAINT
LouIs.-We find III the ST. Louis Democrat OF
Friday the following account of the awful catas-
trophe of which we have had brief mention by
Telegraph:
? Last evening about O'Clock, we received the
terrible information, through Mr.. David II. Bishop
and William Rumbuld, citizens OF this place, that
the excursian train oftweve fourteen cars, that
departed from St. LOUIS yesterday morning at nine
O'clock to attend the railroad celebration al JEFF
feISon City. met with an accident the bridge OF
tie GaSconade river, the details OF which are not
yet attainabe, but which, when fully known,
will, we feur, Le of the most awful and heartren-
ding character.
The information we have derived from these
gentlemen is as follows:
They were passengers coming down the Nilsson
ii river, oil the steamer Ben Bolt, and landed at
Hermann for the purpose of taking the downward
o'clock train for this city. Just before the boat
landed, at the hour of | O'Clock, the excu rsion
train passed up bv Hermann, and the passengers
both Of boat aud cats exchanged greetings.
Shortly after the landing OF the Ben Boil, and
Just as the downward train vas about StaTung, n
locomotive that had accompanied aud was push
ing at the rear OF the excursion train, arrived at
Hermann from above, bearing the terrible news
that the excursion ears were passing over the
Railroad bridge recently erected at the mouth Of
the GaSconade rlveEp distance of about eight
miles from Hermann, the Lrdge gave wOy, and
precplt aed the font locomotive and car OF the
passenger cars OF the train down into the river.
The height OF tine ridge above the water was
about thirty feet, and the depth Of the water be-
meath stated to be twenty feet. The locomotive
which brought the news 10 Hermann, together with
one Of the passenger Cars, became diSeugagsd from
the train as the accident took place, and were thus
saved. About one hundred and fifty Of the pas
sengsrs, it is stated, got out of the cars before
passing the bridge, in order TO inspect the Struct
ure and observe the trial of the heavy train upon
the timberS. These, if they were not standing on
the bridge atthe time, may have escaped injury.
The locomotive aud tender oil the downward
tram from Hermann, was Immediately dlsengaged,
and the passenger attached to the engine
which had just come from the scene of the diSns-
ter. The latter went inn ediately back TO the
bridge, willie the former, on winch were MeSSrS.
Bishop and Rmmbo!d, proceeded with al haste 10
this city.
The excursion train had on board at least six
hunlred persons. While SO much uncertainty
surrounds the catastrophe it most fearful to con-
template the consequences.
j Among the eXcurSioniSiS were many ofthe lead
ng merchants aud railroad men OF the clly-iudg-
eS 1t our courts and members ota the professions
-beSideS tw companies of our military, the Ma
tiunal Quarts ana the ST. Louis GrayS. Indeed,
we may say, the veIy flower OF our citizens were
on board tile train.
At the time Of writing this we nave no confirm.
tory news. Large numbers of our citizens are
holding consultations at the Planters House aud
taking steps Tor iae procuring OF more reliable in.
formation and preparing 10 receive the killed aud
wounded that may come on the next tain.
We Conclude OI the present under the most
painful anXieIieS for iuTheI particulars, hoping
thai late adylces may rid us OF the, thousand ap
prehenSlonS and terrible uncertainties that now
surround the csSe-