The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-11-05
From the st. Louis Republican. 3D.
MOST DISASTROUS ACCIDENT!
Seventeen Persons Killed.!
GREAT NUMBERS WOUNDED!

emerson OlIy, 10 CeIeDTdle CiAe OpeuiIS VI I10
Pacific Railroad to that place, is now amass
of ruins, and infinitely worse than this. many
of the noble hearts that participated in the
pride of the occasion, are now stilled in death.
The train, consisting of fourteen cars, left
the depot on Seventh street, at 9 o'clock,
crowded with invited guests a 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. AT
ter leaving Hermann, the train proceeded with
grand speed, and without the least difficulty
until it reached the Gasconade, when one of
the most disasterous accidents occurred which
has yet thrown this city into mourning.
The bridge across that stream gave way, and
ten Of the cars were preeipitateda 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 falling reversed its position entirely, the
front turning to the East, and the wheels up
ward. On the locomotive at the tme were the
President, Mr.. H. E. Bridge, Mr.. OSullivan,
the Chief Engineer of the road and an addi-
tional number of empioyees.
Mr.. Bridge, it is supposed, is the only one
saved of the individuals named. An hour after
the disaster voices from beneath the wreck of
the locomotive were heard asking for assis-
lance, and when we left the scene of disaster
active efforts were making to relieve the suf-
ferers. 1t is probable-nay, it is to be hoped
probable that some ofthese unfortunates may
have been rescued.
The road enters the bridge with curve, and
this circumstance, perhaps, prevented the dis
aster from being more fatal, as the cars there
by were diverted, and thus prevented from fall
| ing directly in general melee. Enough of in
|; boxr- liSh ba h0or-
gage car, next the engine, went down, to use
the expression of one who was in it, extreme
ly easy" without causing any serious casual
ty The first and second passenger cars fol-
lowed, and in these several were killed, and a
great number more or less mangled
| In the third car one or two were killed
I only This car, although in dangerous posi-
ton. and almost entirely demolished, was less
fatal to life and limb In the fourth and fifth
cars great many were fatally injured and
several instantly killed. The balance of the
train followed swiftly on their fatal errand, and
loss of life with Commissions more or less severe,
were dreadful
Some of the cars plunged in the cars beneath
| them with their ponderous wheels, and crushed
| or manned the unfortunate persons below.
Others hung upon the cliff in perpendicular
! position, and two or three turned bottom up
wards down the grade. Only one-the ex-
treme rear car maintained its position on the
rail-
The following is list Of the killed and
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
diaster Many others, less seriously hurt, were
in the cars, but it is not necessary to name:
| DEAD.
Thomas Gray. Capt o Fiahcrty. E. g. Blackburn Henry
Ghots11 s. G. ysrei ttye Of Fr
osaay; Mr. aeoaoash u Dqnftin CAPT
issa CHE. s"S,assr PassoH reported dead mann
father of j. r. chappeli: George Eberen-
BADLY NOUNRER.
r Geo u afnfs s Sd heT
leg 6r0e or Htchsoeh 6sd hurs Se9n
cite saay hurt CAPT. Gog1ns badly hurt John Ger s
Hendle d uggist badly hurt John ~ Winner sadly hurt
Peter re OF Jeersen esdly hurt Mr. Ra 'ele brake
badly hur. Jo;egh White pres X plsy,
Col: p H. ArmstTons. badly cut; Mr. Litiisohn SsGIy
hurt hurt Mr. Lays0n RPey COUNT ball
slightly injured.
The following wounded have been sent ia
the Sisters Hospital:
Heber Livermore, residing at the corner Of
Fourth and Locust streets, leg broken.
VIM. Edge Mclean, of Cape Girardeau, leg
broken.
Mr. Moore, of St. GeRevieye, badly wound
ed by fractureS-will die.
Doctors Mcdowell and Mcpherson were for
tunately among the guests, and gave their best
skill to the aleYiation OF the wretched sufferers
1t was impossible, however, for them to apply
bandages and reset limbs under the circum-
stances. The accident occurred where nc
houses are to be seen--in wide forest-and
during the time heavy storm of rain, accom-
panied with lightning and thunder, Of the
most vivid description, fell without intermis-
sion.
Couriers were dispatched forthwith to Her
mann for another train, and in an hour or less
the wounded were in comfortable cars on
their way to the city. 1t was an awful spec
tacle-one that might appal the stoutest heart
the dead and dying lying without shelter,
save that afforded by the hand of friendship
or philanthropy, exposed to pittiless storm,
and supplicating the succor Of the more forlu-
nate.
The retnrn cars reached the depots ON Four
teenth and Seventies streets about half past
eleven O'Clock. They were filled with the
wounded, and although their accommodations
were limited we heard not single word OF
dissatisfaction. Many in that melancholy train
were fatally injured, and many suffered with
intense agony; but they bore up like men, and
exhibited the highest degree of fortitude.
We suppose that not one man out of ten es-
capped without injury to a greater or less ex-
tent, and although this may be termed a severe
casualty of no ordinary character, yet it is
wonderful how so many escaped with life.
Judge Wells, of the District Court of the
United States, was along with his lady. The
lJudge received a slight confusion or bruise,
and Mrs. W. escaped entirely One other lady
was also in the company, and she too escaped.
Thus has happened a frightful accident
one more disastrous than it has been our sad
duty to announce for long while. The city