Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-09-06

One of the first objects that attracted my at
tention was the body of Mr.. Howard, cut
completely in two, each leg and the trunk
being some distance from each other. Those
who were uninured, with lumber of pas
sengers, who, like myself, had ccme up from
the other train, set to work with n will, and
in less than half an hour the bodies Of most
of the wounded, dying and dead, were placed
on the bank on either side of the road. Three
or four died while lying here, and some with
out speaking or recovering consciousness
after being removed from the wreck.
Round among the mass could be heard the
sobs and wailings of those who had just re-
cornsed dear friend or relative among the
mangled bodies a wife over a husband,
daughter over mother, or uice versa Some
ladies' were almost frantic with excitement
and distress, and were rapidly running IN
every direction in search o! lost friends. AS
soon as possible freight train was backed
up from Burlington, and with such convent
ences of seats doors, &c, as we could pro-
cure rom the wreck we set to work to re-
move the bodies of the dead and those severe
ly injured, (the latter firsD to Burlington
| AS left to aid the wounded on this train, my
observations were mostly in Burlington after
( this time. The hotels and many private
houses were at once thrown open for the re-
ception Of the wounded-the citizens and
ladies especially turned out in immense num-
bers to render assistance; ut time there
were over twenty ladies' in the hall of one of
the hotels making bandages for the physicl-
ans, who were already in attendance. The
French Consul, Baron st. Andre, was still
living md suffering the most intense agony.
Some friend or relative was, with others, en-
deavoring, BY every means, 20 alleviate his
distress, but he expired in about an hour at-
ter his removal.
In the same room lay Mr.. LukenS, Of our
city, whose groans were terrible-at one :ime
it took five or six men to hold him on the
settee, although he was perfectly unconsci-
o1s at the time. | had observed him when
first taken from the ruins; his face was as
black as my hat, and gave him up for dead,
but the motion of the cars appeared 10 revive
his respiration. Although the physician de-
cded he was beyond human aid, still he was
alive at last accounts Another of the
, severely injured was my friend the Hon.
/; VIM B. Maclay, of New York. Irecogniz-
I ed him when brought up to Burlington in n
= wagon; had him at once conveyed to room
and after giving him stimuiant and getting
him on the bed, he appeared to revive con-
siderably. will never forget the fortitude
splayed by Mr.. Maclay; although severely
wounded in the back of his head, consider.
ably crushed in his side and chest, and his
legs cut and bruised. After being temporari.
- ly relieved, he requested those around him tC
, aid others whn were more injured, and in fac
= displnye1 the most noble and manly traits
/ Throughout.
= As your reports have been full in regard tt
= the names, ETC., it would be superiluouS TO
. me to reiterate them here One OF the mos
horrid spectacles was in small room, mex
! above the telegraph Office, where nine of thu
bodies were placed side by side, after bein!
removed from the cars. Oh! that | mn,
never again witness PARALLEL TO awful scene
of yesterday. Among those active in thei
exertions 10 alleviate the distress was BishOl
Doane; if we understood him rightly, party
of ladies huG left friends house to take the
, un fortunate train two had been brought bacl
: injured, and the other, Mrs. Prescott, was
missed he was using every effort to gair
some tidings OF her, and find by the report
, this morning that his worst fears were con
tirmed, and that she is among the slaughtered
. victims One OF the mos Providcntiul escape,
. that came within my knowledge was that o
- n gentleman, his wife and two infant child
= ren, from this city. The car they were il
was one of the worst mashed NJ; but strange
, to relate, tiough the seats dropped in piece
: as they arose IRON them, and several others
>. almost Immediately beside them, We're kile,
or mortaliy wounded, this whole family escap
=, ed with hardly IA scratch.
In summing mp the cause OF this truly la
=, mcntable affair." can only come to the con
:, cuson that from all the lucts as presented OF
>, the spot the great cause of blame must res
. on the shoulders OF the conductor of the NJ
, train. His leaving Burlington within tel
n minutes of the time, and the train having til,
right of way, WIS piece Of rashness repre-
henslble in the extreme. Again, the ra.'
, that the train was being backed was decided
! ly wrOng. OF course the engineer must hav
;, been terribly excited when he saw the DANCE
: from collision with the down train, and per
;, haps from his speed in backing, my life wa
;, preserved, but still the principle was wrong
- Again, there was no warning given AT tn
cross road, and DR.. Ilanekln having observe
the train pass few moments before, though
all was safe. BY the way, the bodies of hi
hors es one of which was on each side of tn
track, was the Cause Of throwing the trar Of
: the track.
{ Ny mind has net recovered from the awfu
e scenes and excitement, and you must there
. fore excuse the imperfections in this hast
r statement. Yours truly.
o ID. Il. GAvlT.