Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-11-08
From the ST. Louis Republican OF Nov. LIST.
MOST DISASTROUS ACCIDENT.
SEVENTEEN PERSONS KILLED.
GREAT NUMBERS WOUNDED!


The magnificent train Of cars which left
our city yesterday morning, on an excursion
to Jefferson City, to celebrate the opening OF
the Pacific Railroad to that place, is now
mass of ruins, and infinitely worse than this,
many of the noble hearts that participated III
the pride of the occasion, are now stllled Ill
death.
The train, consisting of fourteen cars, left
the depot on Seventh-street, at O'Clock,
crowded with invited guests, a half hour at
ter the time advertised. By the time it
reached Hermann, this delay was fully recoy
cred. Tins showing the good condition of the
track. After leaving Hermann, the train
nrocceded with good speed, and without the
least difficulty until it reached the Gasconade,
when one of the most disastrous accidents
occurred which has vet thrown this city into
mourning.
The bridge across that stream gave way,
and ten of the cars were precpitated dis
lance OF twenty-five or thirty feet. The To-
connective 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. H. E. Bridge.
Mr.. 0Sulliyau, the Chief Engineer of the
road, aud an additional number of EMPLOYEES.
Mr. BRIDGE, it is supposed, is the only one
saved ofthe individuals saved. An hour af-
ter the disaster, voices from beneath the
wreck of the locomotive were heard asking
for assistance, and when we left the scene of
disaster active efforts were making to relieve
the sufferers. 1t is possible-nay, it is to be
hoped probable, that some of these unfor.
Inmates 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 car.
thereby were diverted, and thus prevented
them from falling directly in. II geaeral me-
lee. Enough of injury, however, was ac-
complished. The baggage car, next the En-
CINE, went down, to use the expression of one
who was in it. extremely easy" without
causing any serious casualty. The first and
second passenger cars followed, and in these
several were killed, and general humble
more or less mangled.
In the third car, one or two were killed
only. This car, although in a dangerous pc
, sition, and almost entirely demolished, wa
less fatal to life and limb In the fourth anC
fifth cars a great many were fatally injured
and several instantly killed. The balance o
the train followed swiftly on their fatal erran'
r and the loss of life, with COMMISSIONS more o
: less severe, was dreadful.
Some of the cars plunged on those beneatl
them with their ponderous wheels, and crush
D ed or MANNED the unfortunate persons below
E Others hung up on the cliff in perpendicu
lar position, and two or three turned bottom
upward down the grade. Only one--th
extreme rear car-maintained its position o
the rail.
D The following is list of the killed an
wounded, as far rs could be ascertained, whe
the train, detailed for the purpose of bringin
the injured to this city, left the scene of tn
e disaster Many Others, less seriously hur
were in the cars, but it is not necessary to nam
!, them.