Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-03-28
FEARFUL CATASTROPHE ON THE GREAT
WESTERN RAILWAY.
AWFUL LOSS OF LIFE. Z

u uay OF TWO alter It's occurrence, sends
us Hamilton paper containing full par
ticulars of the catastrophe. We make a
few extracts
/" The train from Toronto, due in this
city at quarter to six, p. m. yesterday
evening, had como from TORONTO, as was
usual, and was proceeding at moderate
rate of speed to pass the swing bridge
across the Dcsjardin's Cmal. Those re-
siding at a distance may not know that a
cutting has been made as an outlet to this
canal through the Burlington Heights,
and that the railway crosses it bya swing
bridge, 60 feet at least above the level Of
the canal. At this time, of course, the
water below is covered with ice, about
two feet thick. ."s
just before the train reached the bridge
the engine ran off the track, owing it is
supposed, to some defect in the axle
This. however, is a mere surmise, found
ed only on the observation of some marks
on the road, for some distance on the 9TH
er side of the spot where the accident oc-
CURED. The immense weight Of the en-
CINE, cutting through the timber of the
bridge, produced the effect naturally to
be expected. The whole structure gave
way, and, with one frightful crash, the
engine, tender, baggage car and two first
class passenger cars broke through the
severed frame work, and leaped headlong
into the yawning abyss below. The en-
CINE and tender crushed at once through
the yawning abyss below. The baggage
car, striking the corner of the tender, in
the act of falling, was thrown to one side
and fell some ten yards from the engine
The first passenger car rushed after, and,
turning as it descended, fell on its roof,
breaking partly through the ice, and be-
ing crushed to atoms, while the last car
fell endways on the ice, and, strange to
say, remained in that position.
The loss of life was of course fright
tnl. There were 80 passengers Oh the
train and the list of those who have es-
capped only numbers about 90. AS far
MS we can yet learn, every one in the first
car was killed those who were not crush
cd being drowned by the water which
nearly filled the ear. About thirty were
Ill the last car, of whom ten were taken
out dead, and most of the others were
fearfully mutilated. afd ~ ..s~
:" Mr.. Muir, the deputy superintendent
of the line, is said to have had most
miraculous escape. He was, we are told,
half asleep on the last seat of the last
car, when he was awakened CIV the unu-
sual motion of the train. Starting up
and rushing TO the door, he perceived
what was the matter, and jumped off at
the very moment the car was being pre-
cipilated into the yawning gulf beneath.
Ind, ed, the platform of the car was on
level with the severed timbers of the
bridge, when by powerful effort, Mr..
Muir leaped to a place of safety.
The complete list of those among the
dead who have been identified, is as fol-
lows:
|. Donald Stuart, Merchant, Hamilton.
2. A. Grant, probably of Toronto.
8. D. Russell, Contractor, Brantford.
5. James Barr, Merchant, Niagara.
Z. James Cannon, unknown.
8. Samuel Zimmerman, of NIAGARA
Falls ~ l,'
8. Thos. Benson, Port Hope
10. John Sharpe, Book Pedlarat Ham
ilton Station.
II. The Rev. A. Booker, Hamilton.
12. Erastus w. Green, Hamilton.
l3. Thomas Doyle, about 3 years old.
Is, John Henderson, Hamilton.
I, 4 n
Europa. - '
10. Mahaly Clare, 2 years old. :. v s.
90. Captain JAS. Sutherland, Hamilton
81. Adam Ferrie Jr. Hamilton ii .
90. Mr.. Jas. Ross, of Toronto. =. s.
25. John MILFORD, miller, late of
uckinghamshire, England.
rs, Alex. Burnfeld, engineer of the
train. /.
27 Mr.. Barton, sen'r, of Stafford
49, Robert Crawford, of Saltfleet
Z 20. - Sturdy, Esq, dry goods mer
chant, Dundas ST., London. u
50. Hugh McSloy, st. Catharine.
81. Timothy Doyle, from Dumbarton,
shoemaker.
80. Patrick Doyle, laborer, brother to
the above III Gl1 i'aaa-
33. James darkness, formerly band
master of Toronto, late of Riaes.Ilaa ,,f
"a. Chas. Brown, firm Of j. d c..
Brown, Calf.
36. Mr.. Kendall, Toronto. " ''"'.s ~
81. Diana Michigan, servant to Mr..
Irvine, ,Galt.al q Fl .dsu4sa 3II /. ~
38. Mr.. Bradfeld, Suspension Bridge.
80 d 40. Ellen and Mary Deriue, sis
tiers.
43. G. s. Sloan, CastorvilIe. So a
I "A. James Forbes, flrmer. of Nelson
. as. David Carks, Ingersoll. i 81 i
46. d. Witter, Markha III "a
At. Mrs. Bradield.
As. Duncan Campbell, Campbellsyille.
= 40. Ralph Wade, of Cobourg. :. "11
SO. Charles Caldwell, of Albion. a. 4
81. Geo. Mcdonnell, supposed Of To-
ronto. i.i.,.. 3..,. I..,....s. IL. .,......a
SO. Geo. Darris, Port Nelson.
So. Mrs. Duffin, (supposed) Toronto.
= 81. Mr.. Joseph Major, Two Rivers.
Mr.. Beck and two children, Hamilton
Mrs, Stevenson, Hamilton. j go 4
MIR. Morley. Thorold.