Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-10-10
From the Petersburg Rrpress.
FATAL AND DISTRESSING RAILROAD Academic
A FREIGHT ENGINE RUNS INTO A PASSENGER
TRAIN-TERRIRIE CRASH-BAGGAGE MASTEl

A FREIGHT ENGINE RUNS INTO A PASSENGER
TERRIBLE CRASH-BAGGAGE MASTER
INSTANTLY KILLED-C0NDUCTOR HORRIBLY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF AN ENGINEER.
Our city was rife with rumors at an early hour Satur-
day morning relative TO accident which had occurred
the evening previous on the Wilmington aud Weldon
Railroad about six miles below Goldsboro. The frs;
intelligence of the disaster reached here by the early
morning train from Weldon due at 2:SO A. NJ. Some
nc counts stated that % passengers were killed and as
many more wounded others made the number OF the in
jured much less and again others gave the actual num-
Der Of five killed and nine wounded Aarge number Of
our citizens having friends and relatives in North Carroll
ma and feeling an extreme anxiety to hear the particulars
we teegraphed to friend at GOldsboro aud pleas
ed 10 hear that the number Of killed and wounded
comparatively small, not exceeding five or six.
The particulars. far have been able 10 gather
them Justify the following statement On Friday
ming about o'clock, the engineer Of freight train,
whose instructions to stop at Dudleys Station nine
miles below Goldsboro and await the passage Of the
mail train going NORTH informed the Conductor OF his
train that he could easily reach Godsboro before the
mail tran and insisted upon going ahead The Conduc
TOR refused peremptoy TO assent to any such PROPOSE
ton and only deferred the rash engineer from proceed
ing by informing him that if he did not stop at Dadeys
he would most assuredy be discharged from the service
of the company.
In few minutes the mail train came dashng by and
stopped at Everettsvie three miles north of Dudleys
to put off passengers. No sooner had the mail train
passed. than the freight engineer started Off and arrived
AZ Eyerettsye lust Immediately behind the mail train.
Simultaneously almost with the departure Of the mail
train from Everettsvie the freight train started and at
such speed that the Conductor fearing accident pulled
the berope violently several times but was UNDECIDED
and in moment two, the engine Of the freight train
pitched into the passenger coach OF the train ahead
with fearful effect.
The passenger coaches smashed to pieces, and
Mr. Conner baggage master, who stood on the platform
of of the coaches, was instantly crushed to death
Conductor Laspyere, who was also on the platform Of
one of the coaches wedged in by the broken tim
bes that it required hour and forty minutes to
eye him from his painful and perlou position. One Of
his legs was badly broken that the bones prouded
through the side Of the COACH where they had been fore
ed by the shock He is said have exhibited the most
unaccountable forude and GOODNESS during the whole
progress of the resorted for his delivery,
giving directions to those engaged in the humane effort
while at the came sine he weak from loss of
blood that brandy had to be conveyed him through
tnbe TO sustain his last-wastng energies.
But one passenger sustained any serious injury and he
is the Sheriff of Wayne county n. c. who lost thumb
by the crush of tmbers The wonder ia that all we're
not killed. The said to be perfect wreck and
great the force OF the collision, that the tender
of the freight train mashed to pieces, and large
fat heavily loaded with iron rail- Immediately adjoining,
reared up on top of the locomotive.
All accounts agree that the conduct OF the freight
gneer was reprehensble in the extreme With his
perience he must have known that the pursued
by him would inevitably lead to fatal consequences yet
be dashed reckessy on, regardless of property life
or limb. We also informed that after the
accident he displayed Indifference which it is scarce
y credible one of human species could be capable Of
While the heartrendng condition Of Conductor Laspyere
he lay dying by degrees amid the wreck melting
even the stouest hearts 10 tears this engineer looked
cooy on and when asked how he could have acted so
tery regardless Of consequences he Indignantly replied
that this not the first collision that occurred
on railroad and then quietly proceeded to his engine
and laid himself down to sleep He rot allowed TO
enjoy his repose long, however for storm Of indgua
ton among those present which would speed
" have elevated the nhuman a neighboring
limb but for friendly voice arousing him, when he
rapidly fed from the place and at last accounts had not
been heard from
DEATH OF CONDUCTOR LAsPYERE.
We received the following despatch from Goldsboro
at late hour Saturday night:
Captain LaspyeFe who was frightfully injured by
the collision last night, Everett svile, ia dead His
leg was amputated this afternoon five O'clock and in
his nervous system so grelt and the hemorrhage
from the wound copous that nature could with
stand the effects Our physicians did all that medical skill
could accomplish but the case basd every attempt to
prevent fatal termination.
Capt. Laspyers native Of Greensville county,
Va, where he leaves young and es,imable wife, and
three children Of very tender year, upon whom this
rble bereavement will fall with overwhelming effect
All acqusinted with the deceased, accord to him many
noble qualities Of heart, and cheeriulness aud amabi-
~ which had endsared him to very extensive circle Of
friends and scquantances
Mr.. Conan, the baggage master, belonged to Enfield
n. O., and unmarried.
The damage to property by this accident is estimated