Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-07-25
DIsns,rous and Fatal Accident.

PHILADELPHIA, July 17,-As an excursion train of
the CHI d1en of St Michaes Church was proceeding
on the North Pennsylvania Railroad this morning at
about o'clock, When near the town of Fort Wash
ington, it came in collision with the down train. Six
cars were entirely demolished, killing thirty five
(among whom was Father Sheridan. OF St. MchaeIs
church, and inluring nearly 100 others.
The excursion train contained eleven hundred chill
drer, with heir parents and teachers. The collision
occurred in a curve near Fort Washington The
down train was running slowly, but the excursion
train was going rapidly, endeavoring 10 reach the
stopping place before meeting the down train. Both
locomotives were crushed together, setting fire to
mass of broken cars, and consuming the bodies OF
victims of the collision The scene was heart
rending.
lne scene of the disaster is fourteen miles from
the city, in the neghborhOod of two curves so that
approaching trains cannot be five hundred yards
distant. The track is also single When the loco
motives came together they on end the fire boxes
of each nearly touching, and fell over across the
road The fire being scattered about the wreck, the
first excursion caught fire, and the flames
rapidly communicated to the two others piled up
upon The most extraordinary efforts were made to
extricate the unfortunate mutated beings who were
crushed amid the wreck rending the air with their
dying groans.
Many Of these poor beings were still alive when
the flames reached them, and thus suffered it were
n double death. Their groans and shreks for aid
awful and heart-rendng. altogether beyond The
power of language to describe.
Fortunately there were two hotels, q dwelling and
a blacksmith shop and small shed within three hun
dred yards of the wreck all OF which were used 10
shelter the dying and wounded. A number of phv-
scians from the city and from Germantown were
early in attendance, doing all within their power 10
aid the sufferers.
Two fire engines from Chestnut Hill came to the
spot, and foced water through hose TO the wreck
from neighboring stream. After working for sever
al hours the fire was extinguished, and the human
remains were removed Nineteen burned bodies were
removed to the blacksmith shop-three supposed to
be females. Under another shed were placed eight
other bodies SO charred by the flames as TO defy re-
cognition.
The body of Father Sheridan has been recovered
and brought to- the city
An immense crowd was attracted 10 the spot from
the surrounding sections of country many friends
OF the eXcursonlss walked from the city, and Others
proceeded thlther in every description of vehicle
Whlch were made use of in bringing the wounded
and dead to the city.
William Vansawen the conductor of tho down
raln driven 10 desperation by the calamity commit
ed suicide by swallowing arsenic
William Lee, the engineer of the same train bos
Oeen arrested and committed for examination
Inc IRAN OF this evening brought down four bodies
burned 10 crisp one unknown, the others John
Dillon ana TWO brothers named Royce.
STILL LATER.
PHILADELPHIA, 10 T. M.-An the remains of tho
Nchms have been gathered up and brought TO the
city. Twenty-seVen bodies have not been recoon;s
ca. 4hey are mostly burned so as 10 defy recosni
ton.