Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-09-05
CORRESPONDENTS ed e Tournal.
FuILApgLpnIA. Septemi.er Ist. lS55

Onc SUBJECT only seems at present TO fill the
public mind, the edtoria! columns of our
daily papers. The heart-rending Railroad ac.
| cident at the city of Burlington n. j. 1t is re-
ally too distressing to enter into particulars
| have just returned home from the scene of
the disaster, and words are wanting TO give any
idea OF the condition of the sufferers, or the
feelings that are excited by the awful destruc-
ton of life. Thus far about 25 deaths have
occurred and four or five more likely to
take place, so that the whole number will not
probably be less than so. But when we take
into consideration the amount of agony the
survivors have to endure, it seems, those who
have met with a sudden death are in some re-
spects not to be so much lamented for it. See
ing only can give any idea of the destruction.
The cars were literally torn to fragments, and
the ground around is strewed with them too
small to be gathered up mingled with the lin
ing Of the seats, the glass OF the windows &c.
l saw one poor man last evening who though
living, seemed more like one dead, his face
was cut and gashed in frightful manner, his
collar bone broken, and several ribs actually
broken and driven inwards, yet not a groan
| escaped him, but he lay if unconscious of
pain.
Twas on the ground yesterday with the Cor
oners jury examining the locality and the caus-
es of the accident, to me it seemed four fold
though entirely the result of the mos reckless
carelessness. First the neglect of the com
pany (who enjoy the sole right of conveying
passengers by railroad across the State of New
Jersey,) to provide double track road. Sec
ond, the neglect of the Superintendent to issue
his orders to the Conductors to await the arri-
val of the other train rather than run the risk
of q collision. Third, the recklessness of the
Conductor in running backward at speed
positively forbidden by law at that spot, and
failing to keep the required look out while
approaching crossing, and, lastly the worse
than folly, the madness OF the driver of the
carriage attempting to cross q railroad at a
speed of miles an hour Gas he himself admts)
without looking to see if train coming.
(I take it for granted that you will transfer the
full particulars TO your columns, so [ speak of
facts though had mentioned them.)
This is without exception the most distress
ing accident that has ever happened in the
history of railroads within 20 miles of our city,
but you can have no idea of the gloom that
spread over Burlington. Had the yellow fever
been dealing death among the inhabitants, and
marking its victims as it is doing at Norfolk
the city would scarce presented more sorrow
ful aspect. All mirth and pleasure was buried,
and the citizens nobly turned out to render all
the aid in their power, and many parlor,
where but few moments before, was heard
the gay laugh the happy voice, now hear
naught but the stifled groan, or the hurried
words Of the attendants. The Physicians of
Burlington well as several from Philadel-
phia have been untiring, from the first, to rem
der all that medical skill could do, but alas in
too many instances their kind offices will be
unavailihg. 1t is due to the Railroad Compa-
ny to say that since the accident they have
done all they could to help the injured, but
alas their assistance comes too late TO many.
That shortsightedness, which to a few
thousands, has cost them many more, must
give way to a more enlightened policy or the
people will take the matter in their own
hands, and sooner or later they will fhd it out
cuh hos oil
my mind have harly thought for anything
else. Yet few words about that Williamson
case. The innocent sufferer of Judge Kane's
spleen is still an inmate of the prison, where
his health seems to be suffering from confine-
ment, though his spirit is as unbroken as ever.
But voice will go forth from that cell which
will shake the strong hold of slavery, and the
ball which Judge Kane has unntentionally set
in motion Will not cease to roll until slavery
shall be driven back to its death-bed. Kansas
and Nebraska will be two free States now, or
none at all.
l believe the convention Of the contempla-
ted Republican party met yesterday, but no
doings of theirs have come to light. l fear
they are a little too ultra in their views, and
are only attempting to build up the deiunct
s'Liberty party" / am not a fuAbLooded abo.
Htionist, though a determined opponent of
slavery. believe in the sovereign rights of
the individual States, but not of interference
new Territory is the property of all the States
collectively, and there the battle must be
fought and won.
Business is still pushing ahead, rapidly, and
western and Southern merchants are crowding
our hotels. Money that all important article
is plenty, and the usual outdoor rate is 8 per
cent for good paper, while the banks generally
take all the first class paper offered. Two
new banks go into operation on the 3rd.
The accounts from n orfolk and Portsmouth
of the yellow fever, are still distressing, and
aid is still going forward from this city. Over
$4,000 in money, besides nearly as much
more in drugs &c. have been contributed
here.
Since this letter written, learn another
accident occurred on the Camden and Amboy
Railroad about nine miles from Philadelphia.
Two horeSes were killed, but proyidentially
the cars were not thrown from the track, or
we light have had to record another fearful
loss of life. Yours &c. o. O.