Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-01-19

Wdter--An Engineer, Fireman 7ico pos.
SengerS and a Boy MisSinq-Seuerdl Stuld- |
ed and Badly hVured'
We are again compelled TO announce nm.
other fearful accident on the Hudson River
Railroad, 10y which certainly three or more
persons have lost their lives. As far as we
have been able to ascertain. it appears that
the Sunday night train. which left Albany
at quarter past four. on reaching the bridge
over Spuyten Devils creek, caused the bridge
to give way, aud part Of the train, consisting
OF two engines, two freight cars, the mail and
baggage car, and one passenger car. were
preciptated into the water. The bridge gave
way just this side of the draw. 4 train with
thirty cars had only q few hours before cros-
sed over safely.
The train had three passenger cars attach
ed, but only one went over. and partly in the
water. The passengers were all thrown upon
one another in the front part of the car. when
1t went down. AS the remaining cars caught
upon one Of the iron bars. it prevented them
from going over, and also the first passenger
car from going entirely into the water Had
it not been for this, there would have been
many lives lost
The engineer and fireman of the first en-.
gine are missing. They were seen on the
engine rs she went down.
On the second engine. the engineer and
fireman were horribly scalded, and they would
no doubt. have been drowned, had it not been
that they were rescued by the passengers.
The passengers in the first car succeeded
in getting out by breaking out the window
glasses and using the side Of the car as lad
der. All are reported to have gotten out
safely. within the exception of two men, who
it is said, were seen standing on the front Of
the car, outside the door. They have not
been seen since.
\ number were badly bruised but to what
extent We have not yet been able to ascer-
tain.
The name of the engineer lost is James
Parrson.
In consequence of the accident, no trains
will leave to-day.
Mr.. John Upton, the Messenger of Wells,
ButterIed Il Co.'S American Express. was
among the injured. He was severely bruised
his ankle dslocated, and one of the small
bones of his leg was broken. He had in
charge nearly IL million of dollars but not
withstanding his severe injuries, he refused
to leave his Express, and remained in the
cars seven hours IN the cold with the Express
matter. No instance of courage and endu-
rance like this has ever been on record.
The cars next the engine probably saved
I
fireman Of one Of the engines have not been
found. The mail bags are all under water
aud the mails are wet. The first engine pas
sed over the bridge in safety The ice knock
ed the piles away under the bridge. The
first passenger car stands up on eud, resting
on u baggage car. The last car was raked
lnside--the seats, stove, and all were swept
10 the rear end. The second car was unds.
turbed The Conductor was i'll this car, and
was not injured.
The passengers all speak in the highest
terms Of the conductor aud baggageman. Old
and experienced railroad men, who have seen
many railroad accidents, says this wreck pre-
sents sight never before equalled, in the
way Of the pi!ing up Of cars engines, &c. Mr..
Earl, mail agent was badly hurt.
The passengers walked across the mpo-
rary bridge, and were conveyed to Thirty-frst
street by special train. They arrived here
about ten o'clock this morning. They should
haze arrived last evening at ten. The acci.
dent occurred AT 2 o'clock this morning. The
train was delayed by the storm OF Saturday
pight.-N Y. Express Of l4h inst.
TIRE CANAL CoMMTSsIoNERs' ROPORT.
SALE OF ruE MAIN LyyE.-The Canal Com
m;s,ioners. in their report, al!ude to the sale
Of the Main Lines
In regard to the future of the Main Line
of The State improvements, the Board feel
reluctant in making any specific recommen-
cation. il the past years experience be re-
garAcd rs an index to the future. and the
subject be viewed abstractly MS mere qucs-
ton Of dollars and cents, there would not
seem to be much encouragement. AS has
been stated already. the principal transpor-
tors abandoned the Main Line in July last.
Should this state Of things continue, it be-
comes apparent from q comparison OF the
receipts with the expenditures the past year
that or thut portion Of the line west Of the
Junction the State would be largely the loser
But will this state of things be permanent !?
70 arrive at proper conclusion Of tie Ques-
tiop. il will be necessary TO look at the causes
which produced il. The most prominent
among these Except the competition OF the
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad, which has already
been di7cusspd,) is the uncertainty that has
been felt among business men as to whether
the State would retain the ownership of the
line, Two successive Legislatures have pas
spd bills for the sale of the Main Line; and,
although no sale has been effected, yet the
constant agitation Of the subject has deter
red capitalists from emharking in Il business
involving the expenditures Of thousands
which they had no gnarartee might not be
Rwppt from them hy the time they would get
fairly into operation. Another cause which
has contributed no little towards producing
the result referred to was the old Portage
Road. In the active competition of the
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad Company, the deten.
lion Incident to The inclined planes on the old
Portage has operated as a serious drawback
tothe transpurierS Cn the canal. This Oh
strnctiun heng now removed. the change will
be sensihly felt lay those who may engage in
the business Of transportation the approach
ing season. The completion of the new roaG
will very much facilitate the transit of freight
Ifthe ownership Of the line is to remain in
the Commonwealth, then policy would dictate
that every effort should he exhausted 10 make
il as productive as possible. To this end il
has been suggested that the experiment bC
tried Of holding ont Inducements to have i
stocked 1t is alleged that there are parties
willing TO DO this, if the proper guarantee b'
held uut 1t is, therefore. submitted for The
consideration of the Legislature whether thu
passage Of an act providing that If companies
would put stock on this line, and ihe worl
should be sold within IA given time. the par
ties purchasing it should be required to TAXI
the stock ut fair appraised valuation, nigh
not be proper.
AID FOR KAYsAs.-A public meeting wa
held in Chicago, on Monday evening, the III
instant ot ubiph rac,ln.i,ug ,.,ro