New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-21

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT os THE WEST CHESTER AND
PHILADELPHIA RalLRoAD.--We find in The Media
Advertiser of July ls the following details of frghtful
railroad accident which occurred on the 10th inst near
Media. Chester County, Pennsylvania:
On Monday afternoon last, about ten minutes past
O'clock as the workmen employed in the erection OF
the bridge over Ridley Creek, Oh the West Chester
and Philadelphia Railroad, near this borough, were
about resumng work, the temporary framework gave
way and the entire structure fell TO the ground carry
ing with and buryin in the mass OF tlmbers hve OF
the wOIkmen, who had already taken their position
upon the UPPER cord, three of whom were killed and
the remaining two seriously wounded and II is sup
posed orc MORALLY. We give list of their narnes
James Russell of Schadds Ford Delaware County,
killed. Joseuh Stle Of PHILADELPHIA killed; Dixon
Dotey OF Blackjack Township, Indiana County, Pa,
killed and Jos. Sears of Philadelphia, and Theodore
ZeDRon of Reading seriously injured. James Russell
was instantly killed, anG joseph Stlle and Dixon Do
tey lived about ten minutes after they were taken
from beneath the timbcrs. There were twe ye men
employed on the bridge, eight of whom were on the
scairoding shortly before fell, and the remaining
four bad not resumed work. VIM. X. Beard, the fore
man. and David JamIson were on the scafOidng al
the time il gave way, about twenty-five feet from tho
pier and quick they heard 1t crack they started
nj full run for the pier, which they reached by jump
ing about fifteen feet and catching hold of the edges
of the pier drew themselves up. Their escape was
Indeed miraculous. Henry Knight, one of the work
men, about five minutes before tile scaifOding fell,
carried keg Of nails over to the other side, and by
folding fell while he away from it.
Dixon DO'ey, when he the scsholding giving
way, attempted to save himself by leaping TO the
ground, distance of over one hundred feet and
going down feet foremost, when a piece Of timber
struck him in. the side and completely disembowe!ed
him.
The wounded were brought to this Borough, where
they received proper medical attention. Theodore Zen
son. one of the wounded, IL able TO walk, and ls
considered out Of danger, but doubts entertained
in re ard 10 the recovery of Joseph Sears whose head
is cut badly, and is injured internally.
An inquest over the dead bodes was held by Coroner
X. II. Smith. A number Of witnesses were called
to testify III regard to the construction of the scsoding
and the quality of timber used. The following is the
verdict Of the Jury: That the deceased came 10
their deaths by the falling of part of the bridge about
being erected over Ridley Greek, in the township of
Upper Providence, on the Philadelphia and West
Chester Railroad, on which they were working; and
il further the opinion of the Jury that the falling OF
TIE aforesaid brioge cccasioned by the scaoldng
giving way 1t being insufficient 10 bear the weight of
timber Oh il at the time.
The bodies Of those killed were removed by their
friends; that Of James Russell TO Scadd's Ford for
burial. and Dixon Dotey and James Ste in the morn
ing train for Philadelphia. 1t is estimated thst the
damage TO the bridge will amount 10 about =, 000