The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-09-06
Terrible Accident on the Camden and
AmbOy Railroad.

Our city was startled yesterday by report
which reached il about noon, of a terrible ac-
cidenl on the Camden and Amboy railroad,
about mile above Burlington, caused by the
cars coming in collision with a light pleasure
wagon and horses, which were attempting TO
cross the track.
The first news OF this instance made the
loss of life lrlling compared with what after
wards proved TO be the fact; Ii was not TILL
late hour in the day that the details were
received. The Ledger sent reporter to The
scene Of the occurrence, and the following
facts, obtained on the spot, are derived from
the passengers and officers, OF the railroad,
and are as reliable as they could be obtain
ed amid the excitement and distress which
the terrible occurrence had caused.
The train of cars which left Philadelphia,
al 10 O'Clock, consisting of five passenger
cars, baggage car and locomotive, had reaIh-
ed Burlington just before II o'clock. II then
stopped, waiting for the arrival of the eight
O'Clock New York train, from Jersey City,
which passes al this place. After waiting
for from ten to fifteen minu,es, and the New
York train not appearing, the Philadelphia
train went forward slowly, watching for the
approach of the downward train. Ithad gone
forward about mile and a quarter when the
New York train came in sight. The whistle
for the brake and TO reverse The engine, was
blown, and the Philadelphia train commeE.
ced backing, and soon got under rapid head
way for Burlington again. In this reverse
movement, the passenger cars, usually pa-
ced behind and coming after the locomotive,
of course had not the advantage of seeing
what was ahead Of the backward going train.
He had run but quarter of mile, and a
mile from Burlington, when the first passen.
ger car came in collision with a light pleas
ure wagon, driven by Dr. Hannegan, Of Co.
umbus, N. j., who attempted 10 cross the
track in front of The cars.
The wagon contained DR.. Hannegan, his
wife, and two children. The former, il is
said, is hard of hearing, anc by this infirmily
caused an accident nearly similar, bui no: so
fatal near Beverly, about year ago. The
doctor had seen the cars pass as he was dri-
wing down the road, and supposing all safe,
neglected TO keep proper lookout. The first
passenger car struck the two horses in the
wagon, Just as they were crossing the track,
killed them instantly, and threw one thirty
feet on one side Of .he track, and the other
forty yards on the other side, The wagon
was turned round and upset, none of its in
mates being injured, except in slight bruises
Tie front car, A, after striking the horses,
ran forward, and off the track, about one hun
dred yards, and over a small embankment
| The second car, B, was thrown directlv across
the track The third car (C) went through
car B aud stopped diagonally across the road
the fourth car (D) followed and ran into cal
C.. The fifth passenger car ard baggage cal
stopped without leaving the track The two
latter were not injured, but three Of the othel
passenger cars were knocked 10 pieces, and
many OF their occupants were killed. wound
ed and manned.
II is impossible 10 describe the horrible
scene that ensued' The cars were piled up
on each other, and numbers OF human beings
were lying among the ruins-some dead
some dying, some shrieking from pain
Those saved in the train, and the passengers
on ihs down train, aided by citizens of Bur.
lingon, who were quickly informed of the
terrible accident, went 10 work 10 rescue the
wounded and dying from the ruins. AS soor
as taken out they were conveyed TO Burling
ton, where many private houses, as well al
Agnew's aud Kel!ey's taverns, were thrown
open to the admission Of the wounded, while
the Lyceum was appropriated ior the recep
lion of the dead. Some had been crushee
10 death Instantly, leaving scarcely trace ,t
recognize them by /; some had been torn lint
from limb by the splinters, benches and floor
and their remains scattered in every direc
ton. Many were suffering from crushet
limbs, broken backs, and injured and lacera
tied bodies. The scene was heart-sicken