Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1855-11-08
From The 81. Louis Republican of Nov. I.
MOST DISASTROUS ACCIDENT!
Sc VENTEEN PERSONS KILLED!
Great Numbers Wounded!

The magni bcent tram 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 in the pride
Of the occasion, are now slilled in death.
The train, consisting of fourteen cars,
left the depot on Seventh street, at nine
o'clock, crowded with invited guests.
half hour after the time advertised. BY
the time it reached Hermann, this delay
was fully recovered, thus showing the
good condition of the track. After leav
ing Hermann the train proceeded with
good speed, and without the least diff
Guilty until it reached the Gasconade.
whom one of the most disastrous accidents
occurred which has yet thrown this city
into mourning,
The bridge across that stream gave way
and ten Of the cars were precipitated
distance of twenty five or thirty feet
The locomotive. from all appearances,
had reached the edge of the first pier.
when the structure gave way. and in fall
ing reversed its position entirely, the
front turning to the East, and the wheels
upward. On the locomotive at the time
were the President. Mr.. E. II. Bridge,
Mr.. O'Sulivan. the Chief Engineer of The
road. and an additional number of en-
ployees.
Mr.. Bridge, it is supposed. is the only
one OF the individuals saved. An hour
after the disaster. voices beneath the To-
conceive asking for assistance, and when
we left the scene of disaster active efforts
were making TO assist the sufferers. 1t
is posi- ble-nay it is to be hoped proba'
bile. that some of these unfortunates may
| have been rescued.
The road enters the bridge with a curve.
and this circumstance. perhaps. prevent
ed the disaster from being more fatal. as
the cars thereby were diverted, and thus
prevented from falling directly in gene
raj melee. Enough of injury, however,
was accomplished. The baggage car.
next the engine. went down. to use the
expression of one who was in it, extreme
ly easy without cadsing any serious cas-
uality. The first and second passenger
cars followed, and in these several were
killed. and general number more or less
mangled.
In the third car one or two were killed
only. This car. although in dangerous
position. and almost entirely demolished.
was less fa,alto life and limb. In the
fourth and fifth cars great many were
fatally injured. and several instantly kill
ed. The balance of the train followed
swiftly on their fatal errund and the loss
OF life, with Commissions more or less Sc
we're, was dreadful.
Some of the cars plunged on those be-
meath them with their ponGerous wheels,
and crushed or manned the unfortunate
persons below. Others hung upon the
cliff in perpendicular position. and two
or three turned bottom upward down the
grade. Only one-ihe extreme rear Cal
maintained its position on the rail.
The following is list of the killed &
wounded. 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 seriously hurt. were in the cars, but
it is not necessary TO nome them.
DEAD.
} Thomas Gray.
Capt. O'Flagherty.
!, E. G. Blackburn.
; Henry Choteau.
E. c. Jeffries. rep. Of franklin county
} Adolph Abels.
Rev. DR.. Billiard.
Mr.. Melt. Rep. of Dunklin CO.
Mr.. Mccullough.
: Capt. B. Case.
E. G. Yosti. (firm Of Shield & Yosti y
T. O'Sullivan. Chief Engineer.
) b B. Dayton, reported dead.)