Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-09-21
RIILROLD LOCIDENF AT COLUMBUs.
4 freight train smashed = Building
desfrOyed-TwO men killed.


The Columbus Journal gives o full ac-
count Of the tragic affair:
One Of the most terrific railroad accidents
that ever happened in this vicinity occur-
red yesterday Sunday morning on the
depot grounds Of the c. c. Q. K. X, De-
tween three and four o'clock. The locomo-
tive " California" Ben. Blaisel, engineer
with a train consisting of twenty-nine
freight cars loaded with lumber, destined
for Cincinnati was coming in from Cleve-
land. and, as has been the practice Tor the
past ten years, when nearing the round
house the engine is switched of and en-
ters the round house, and the switchman
turning the switch again before the arrival
Of the cars, the train passes on into the
yard where it is stopped, the locomotive
having been detached from the train a con-
siderable distance beyond the switch. In
this case, 1t seems that about four miles
from Columbus, nine of the hindmost ears
became uncoupled, but it being down
grade (4O feet to the mile) and after night,
the engineer did not observe the circum-
stance. This left train of twenty cars
with only two brakesmen. The engine was
unhitched as usual, but the cars being
heavily loaded, and under such head
way, it was impossible for the engine to
clear itself far enough from the train so as
to give the sWitchman a chance to give it
the right direction and on it sped ik
lightning, close up to the locomotive.
When the engineer found that the cars
were pushing him along after passing the
switch, he reversed his engine and put on
the sand, but it was too late. The locomo-
tive entered the round house with fearful
speed, striking Pony Engine No. 2, which
was standing in the house, driving it be-
~ > AHnoUr Urrrlt Tf,o
wall of solid brick masonry, making an
opening about Is by 20 feet--on it went,
striking and knocking off the corner Of
the f1ittt5 hftaIni Machine shop, and nnai-
ly bringing up amidst confused mass of
de5rtS--its own ruins.
As tar as we can ascertain, there were
two persons killed and one slightly wound
ed. James McNamee, an industrious,
honest and hard working man, together
with Mr.. O'Donnell, were % wipers in the
round house, and were at work on the Pony
engine. MeNamee was cut to pieces in so
shocking manner that 1t was difficult to
gather his remains. 0'Donnell was but
slightly injured. Blr. Ryan, the Fireman,
jumped from the engine before it entered
the round house, alighted on pile of
wood, and falling backward under the cars,
was Immediately killed. The engineer,
Mr.. Blaisel, remained at his post in the
cab amid the hurting of bricks and tim
bsrs until it halted, and was unhurt. Mr..
McNamee lived in this city, where he
leaves family, and Mr.. Ryan was from
Columbia station, and had been engaged
but short time on the road.
70 look upon the mass ofruins, one is as
tonished how ii could be possible that
frsil human being could pass through such
g fearful ordeal without receiving injury.
IL certainly required more presence of mind
aud strength ofnerve than is commonly al
lotted to man, to stand UnmOved at his post
when the missiles of death were flying
thick around him and yet Mr.. Blaissl did
it. It was also stated that one ofthe brakes
men remained on top of the cars and was
uniniursd.
We have often surveyed the rnins occs-
stoned by, 90 lisions on RAILROADS, but new
er have we Witnessed such awful distruc-
ton. In contemplating the scene, we ar
rived at the conclusion that the imagina-
ton of man, when the eye-lids are sealed
in sleep, and the mind is left free to roam
amidst all the phantasies of the brain,
such q scene of utter destruction could not
be eoDjursd up, as was here presented in
all its realities. To sum up the whole mat
ter, two locomotives, a .ender and eight
cars are totally demolished--loss estimat
ed at s25, 900. But the loss Of property is
nothing compared to the loss of life.
Property can be restored, and the busy
hands Of the mechanic can soon repair th
loss but when life is destroyed, who can
restore it, We are not prepared to give
an opinion in regard to who was 70 blsme.
It was certainly through the negligence Of
some one. We await an investigation.