The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-11-10

Iesrihle KaalrsaA AcciAens q anins Esuis-
fwesty Killed and Finy ws1aAea.
The following particulars Of the terribl'
Railroad disaster on the Pacific Railroad, re
ferred to in our issue of yesterday, we taks
from the St Louis Republican of Nov. 2:
The magnificent train Of cars which lcfl
our city yesterday morning, on an excursion
to Jefferson City, to celebrate the opening O
the Pacific Railroad to that place, is now ,
mass of ruins, and infinitely worse than this
many of the noble hearts that particiuated
in the pride of the occasion, are now stiles
in death.
The train, consisting Of fourteen cars. left
the depot ON Seventh street, at O'Clock.
crowded with invited guests. 4 half hour
after the time advertised. By the time it
reached Hermann this delay was fully re-
covered, thus showing the good condition of
the track. After leaving Hermann. the train
proceeded with good speed, and without the
least difficulty Until it reached the Gascon-
ade, when one of the most disastrous acct
dents occurred which has yet thrown this
city into mourning.
The bridge across the stream gave way,
and ten of the cars were precipitated dis
lance of 25 or 80 feet. The locomotive from
all appearances, had reached the edge Of the
first pier, when the structure gave way, and
in falling reversed its position entirely, the
front turning to the East, and the wheels
upward. On the locomotive at the time,
were the President, Mr.. II. E. Bridge, Mr..
O'Sullivan, the Chief Engineer of the road,
and an additional number of employees.
Mr.. Bridge, it is supposed, is the only one
saved of the individuals named. An hour
after the disaster, voices from beneath were
heard asking for assistance and when we
left the scene of disaster, active efforts were
making to relieve the sufferers. 1t is posi-
ble-nay, it is to be hoped probable, that
some of these unfortunates may have been
rescued
The road enters the bridge with a curve,
and this circumstance, perhaps, prevented
the disaster from being more fatal, as the
cars thereby were diverted, and thus pre-
vented from falling directly in a general
melee. Enough Of injury, however. was &C
The baggage car, next the engine, went
down, to use the expression Of one who was
in it, extremely easy" without any serious
casualty. The first and second passenger
cars followed, and in these several were
Killed, and great number more or less |
nangled.
In the third car, one or two were killed, |
only. This car, although in a dangerous |
position, and almost entirely demolished, |
was less fatal to life and limb.
In the fourth and fifth cars great many
we're fatally injured, and several were in
'tantly killed. The balance of the train fol- |
owed swiftly on its fatal errand, and the loss
,f life, with Commissions more or less severe, |
vas dreadful.
Some of the cars plunged on those beneath
hem, with their ponderous wheels, and
rushed or MANNED the unfortunate persons |
below. Others hung upon the cliff in
position, and two or three
,urned upwards down the grade. Only one,
he extreme rear car, maintained its position |
IN the rails.
The following is a list of the killed and |
as far as could be ascertained, |
when the train, detailed for the purpose of
bringing the injured to this city, left the
scene Of the disaster. Many others, less
injured, were in tie cars, but it is
lot necessary to name them.
DEAD.
Rev. Dr. Billiard.
B. 3. Dayton.
Z. Church Blackburn. |
Henry Chotcau.
Mann Butler.
Capt. O'Flaherty.
Thomas Gray.
Judge Lakeland.
E. c. Jeffrees, Representative of Franklin
County.
Adolph Ables.
Mr.. Mott, Representative Of Dunklin Co.
Mr.. Mccullough, of Dunklin.
Capt. G. Case.
E. c. Yosti, firm Of Shields l. Yosti.