The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-12-27
LOCAL MATTERS.

morning, between the hours of IL and 10 o,elock
oy which five negro men were badly injured. The
accident seemed to have been one of those In
which no one is to blame, and though quite serious
1t is indeed fortunate circumstance that no lives
were lost By late change in the running schedule
the trains coming East and going West meet At .
turnout three miles East of Gordonsville, and
there pass. The Western train, under the com
mand OF Capt. GoccH, waited the appointed time
and then started for Gordonsville The Eastern
train, Capt. SWIFT, left GordonsyiIle At fifteen
minutes past Ii O'Clock, and would have reached
the turnout in time but for the fact that the train
was heavy one, and Capt. Swift was detained a
few minutes to take on passengers. When he got
under way, supposing that he would reach the
turnout in ample time, he was running down At
the rate OF twenty miles an hour. and did not dis
cover the Western train till nearly upon it. as it
was then in q cut and curve, about two miles and
half from Gordonsville
Capt. Gooch, on the western train was stand.
ing on the PLATFORM and hearing the whistle of
the approaching train, immediate put down his
brakes, and awaited the result Having nearly
succeeded in checking his train, Capt Gooch stood
to bis post, until the approaching train was nearly
upon kim. when he leaped off and was followed by
his brake hands" none of them receiving any in.
jury. As quick As thought, the eastern train
dashed furiously upon the western one, knocking
It hack about twenty feet and crushing two of the
coaches, as well as braaking both engines slight
Iy.
By this collision FIVE negro men were badly in.
jured. Three Of them had their legs broken anoth
er had his leg and foot crushed, and the fifth had
his jaw bone broken, but none of them were
killed.
The most remarkable fact connected with this
accident is that not single white person was Sc
riously injured. On the train going West there
were seventy white passengers and sixty ser.
wants, and on the train coming East there were
about the same number of passengers, white and
black. The Engineer on the Western train Mr.
John Horton, jumped off just before the collision
took place, and received slight bruise. Mt VIM.
Harris, the Engineer on the Western train, stood
TO his post, and received no injury.
In very short time after the accident occurred,
an engine from the Orange and.Alexandra rail.
road with passenger coach, repaired to the scene
and took the wounded negroes and passengers
going West, to Gordonsvilie, where medical aid
was procured, and every necessary attention paid
to the injured.
ceeded on to Staunton, making its usual rum and
yesterday, Capt. Gooch arrived here on his return
trip, at the appointed hour.
The Eastern train was delayed at Gordonsvile
several hours, but arrived here that night at halt
past 10 o'clock.
This is the first serious accident that has ever
occurred on this road, and we feel assured that
those who know Captains Swift and Gooch will
readily acquit them of any carelessness or negli-
gence on their parts, for two more prompt and at
III
the Union.
The two engines that came in collision were the
"Wbitcombe" and "T Timberlake." Had they been
running at the top of their speed it is more than
probable that not single person would have es.
capped from the wreck uniDjured. AS it is, the &C
cident to the cars and machinery Is comparatively
small, and may be repaired at cost of 81 900
We learned, yesterday, from Capt. Gooch, who
came down at o'clock, that The wounded men
were all doing well when he left Gordonsville, and
hats ofr0n hpnos I,f& &ho;r nl,,
recovery
Christmas Times.-If we except the 'half seas
over strangers that had INDUCED too freely on
Wednesday last, to keep out the cold whilst ma
king their purchases, we have never seen such Or
der and quiet as have prevailed in our city. On
Wednesday night last the Police force were con.
stantly on duty, and the Mayor himself patrolled
the city to very late hour, but could see nor hear
any thing in the slightest degree calculated to dis
turb the quiet repose of our denizens On Thurs.
day, the weather was cool, clear and bracing, and
but for the occasional discharge of pop-crackers
and torpedoes, the day might have readily
been taken for the Sabbath, universal was the
prevalence of good order. Not even the tempt.
ing bait of egg nog and apple toddy seemed to
have the power of producing an excitement, and
with the exception of two or three youngsters that
had thoughtlessly imbibed and become rather
merry, tipsy man was not to be found, either
among the white or black portion of our popula-
ton Thus far the holidays have been observed
by all in most appropriate manner. Christmas
day was celebrated by large portion of the re-
lgious community with religious exercises, and
some of the Sabbath Schools were called together
to enjoy the morning in mental and physical
feasts.
Regimental Poradc-The first regiment of Vir.
gnia volunteers paraded yesterday morning, by
order of the Governor, under the command of Col.
August. The line was formed on Broad street, in
front of the City Hall, and the regiment then
l,nIk A1.x E..r ~ =
review by the Governor and his Aids, who made
close inspection of sll the arms After this, the
regiment returned to the city and were dismissed.
Suicide.-On Christmas eve, yellow woman,
named Ellen James, then residing on Valley st.,
got into a pet with some male friend, and by way
of venting her spite on him, procured an ounce OF
laudarum and swallowed it, which soon after
caused her death Ellen was very intempera'e
woman. and in all probability slightly intoxi.
cate 1 when she committed the deed.
Serious Accident.-Last Thursday night small
boy, nephew to Mrs Null, in Rockets. was so
badly burned that fears are entertained for his
recovery. Whilst firing pop'craekers, with q
quantity of gunpowder in his hand, the powder
accidentally ignited and burned him in q dreadful
manner. Yesterday he was under the treatment
of two ply scians, who had been called in to see
him.
Ran Of-Last Thursday morning, whilst DR.
Audersons servants were hitching his horses to
his buggy at his stable on 5h street. some fired
pop cracker, VIII ich go much alarmed them that
they dashed down Marshall street, At the top e
their speed, running over the hoster in the start
aud throwing from the buggy the servant who
was seated in it. On reaching 18th street, the ami
mails went down it at fearful pace, scattering the
body of the vehicle in their flight, nor were they
arrested until getting near Haxalrs Mills, wher
they captured and taken to their stable, hav
ing done no other damage than that already men
toned in their long race.
Hiring SERVANTS for the ensuing year Ia about
to commence, and from present indications the
prices will be equal If they do not exceed those o
the past season. Good cooks will command high
figures, and able bodied laborers will be in grea
demand Agents, we believe, have not yet fxec
their prices, but will do SO in a day or two
The Last Chance The Naiad Queen will be pre-
sented at the Theatre tonight, for the last time
when the female warriors, whose thorough drill
has attracted much attention, will make thel
final appearance. On the same evening, the thrill
iog drama of Michael Erle' will be repeated, ant
should be seen by all who wish to witness rar'
exhibition. Remember this Is the last opportunity
you will have of seeing that magnificent speefa
Gle, the Naiad Queen.
Clear the Sidescaiks Carnell was fiued BY
the Mayor, yesterday, for permitting his dirt cart
to be driven the sidewalk near the corner OF 26ft
aud Main streets, in violation of the ordinances o
the city
Fire Horks.-We understand that the ciiiEeni
of Manchester were treated TO q varied aud bean
ff,.l Era f&a hvfrn -