Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-11-17
From the 81. Louis Inteligencer.
THE RAILROAD TRAGEDY.

W From the 81. Louis Inteligencer.
THE RAILROAD TRAGEDY.
Incidents q the Catastrsshe-Acts Of Kindness and
81 Acts Of Msasness.
When the train approached the Gasconade
bridge, Mr.. O'SullivaD, in company with Mr..
Bridge, and Spooner,- both men of experience in
Railroad matters ;--were standing on the tender
behind the Locomotive for the better facility of
observation. The frailty OF the structure struck
the judgment of Mr.. Bridge as insecure, and he
proposed to Mr.. O'Sullivan that the passengers
be allowed to walk, and the train to 60 over emp
ty. This proposition was also seconded by Mr..
Spooncr, but MIR. O'Sullivan replied that there
could be no doubt of its perfect safety as gravel
train of four times the weight of this had already
passed over it. In less than a minute, the crash
occurred, and Mr.. O'Sullivan, as the first sound
met his ears, exclaimed, My God, boys, we are
all killed." These were the last words that es-
capped his lips, as in an instant after, his soul was
hurried into eternity. His companions, anticipa-
ting danger, were on the alert, and succeeded in
jumping from the train in safety.
A few minutes previous to the accident, Prof.
Mcdowell was in conversation with DR.. Bull
lard, Justice Butler, and Mr.. Chapel. The con-
versation turned upon certain theological tenets,
which the Prof. controverted in his Usual face
tious manner and ended by his remaking loosely
that they were on the broad road to destruction,
and that he would leave them, lest he should be
I'M olved in their downfall.
There can be no doubt that had he not left
them, he would have shared their fate.
The words spoken in sport and pleasantly,
in moment after fearfully realized, in
fact, the Prof. escaping unframed, and his three
friends being horribly mangled to death.
Mr.. Faucet, of the Herald, was seated about
midway of the second car, at the time it took the
fatal plunge. He was leaning partially out of
the widow, Watching, with interest, the beauti-
full mo ions o! the train, it swept the curve,
previous to entering upon the bridge AS the car
went over it was struck upon the bottom immedi-
atrly under the seat he was occupying, by the
coupling of the succeeding car. and the force
of the blow threw up the seat. and pitched him
head-long through the window and alighting
upon the soft mud below, he escaped with few
slight bruises from the conclusion. a. 90
This one of the most remarkable escapes
which were made.
Capt. Couzins, who was in the third car, imme
diately after the accident, extricated himself from
the ruins, and in obedience to the generous die
tates of his nature instantly proceeded to render
assistance to his less fortunate companions. Put
ting forth his hercuean strength he seized a COM
rade who had both legs terribly crushed, and bore
him up the bank to a place of the best shelter
which could be obtained. 1t was only on laying
him down that he discovered that he himself was
| seriously injured and needed assistance.
We are glad to be able to state that he is re-
covering from his injuries, and will suffer no per-
We are informed that the Rev. Mr.. Teasdale,
on receiving the horrible wounds that caused his
death almost instantaneousy, was heard to ex-
claim with his dying breath, "Great God! how
terrible are thy judgments!'' Our informant
states that the unspeakable awe with which these
words were pronounced, was still ringing in his
| ears, and would haunt his memory for life.
Recorder Cady and Mr.. Blackburn were in the
| same car, which was densely crowded. The lat
ter wishing to converse with friend seated be-
side the former. requested him to change places
with him, which he did. This was fatal change
| to him, as in moment after he was ifeless
corpse and the friend with whom he had changed
places escaped without bruise.
| The escape OF the persons in the last car was
the result of the presence of mind of the brake
| man, MIR Frakes, of the police corps.
On noticing the locomotive of the train break
ing through the bridge, he instantly put down the
brake to its utmost power, and racheted it tight
| He then ran forward to the next car, from which
the brakeman had jumped, and attempted to dc
| the same for it, but too late, having barely
time to jump off down the bank before it took the
fatal plunge. His bravery rewarded by his
| own escape, unframed, and the last car, with its
| living freight, being saved from the general de-
| structOn. .s.
| Many deeds Of personal bravery, and of the
noblest generosity were performed, which must
go forever unrecOrded, on account of the names
| of the performers not being known.
1t Is painful to turn from these illustrations oil
the better traits of human nature to the record OF
the opposite, but the former only shine the bright
| or for the contrast.
1t greves US to have to say that many cold.
| hearted deeds were perpetrated by some of those
who shared in the danger Of the catastrophe, but
who escaped from the terrible consequences, show
ing the most calIOus indifference on their part to
to the agon zing sufferngs Of their more unfortu-
| maze companions.
| Conspicuous among this class stands the mill
tary company from Hermann with which was lad IN
the cars which remained upon the track. With
out lending helping hand to a single one Of the
unfortunate wounded, orputtng forth a solitary
effort to reduce the effects of the accident to the
smallest compass, this company of inhuman
wretches instantly formed into order, and its back
upon those having claims upon its sympathcs and
| assistance, marched in haste back to Hermann.
As a remarkable instance of self-possesson
and callous nsensibility, it may be stated that a
citizen of ST. Louis by the name of -, who was
IN the second Car and received no damage, MS
soon as he discovered that fact got out of the car
as deliberately as if he had been getting out of a
carriage under ordinary circumstances, and but
toning his overcOat around him, ana adjusting the
collar about his neck with reference to the great
est amount of personal comfurt, called to some
one in the car to hand him out his umhxella!
A kindred insensibity was displayed bv most
OF the people Of Hermann, although there were
many noble exceptions.
We learn that IN numerous cases, n glass of
water, even, was charged for by certain cormo-
rants, who dwell in that place. and that in most
cases not the smallest particle of food or refresh
ment was furnished, without the money being paid
in advance, and at exhorbitant prices, Such con-
duct is unworthy horde Of savages, and indeed,
we know Of no barbarous nation, where the rights
OF hospitality would not have been more fully ac-
knowledged and practieed. U.s.
AIMING those entitled to credit and applause
for their services at great personal risk, in conhec-
ton with this tragedy, the name Of Mr.. Edwards,
an attache Of the train, shines with lustre. We
are sorry that we do not know his first name, that
we might designate him from the many Of the
same name. lie was the brakeman upon the first
car, which ATTEMPTED to pass the bridge at Beuff
Creek, and description of the circumstances
will show his services in their true light. 10TH
When the train conveying the dead and wound
ed to this city reached that stream, it was found
to be greatly swollen, ana large amount of drift
wood Corrected against the Dridge. AS there was
great danger to be apprehended Of the bridge Civ
ing way, it VAS determined to push over one car
at time by hand, the locomotive being behind
the train. f..,;,,,.. st.,-t.,,-t.
Accordingly the coupling bolt was Withdrawn
and the first car pushed upon the bridge, which
at that moment commenced giving way at the OPP
posite side. Edwards, as the SAT est place. had
selected the back of the car to stand uuou know