Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-12-22
FRlGHTFUL RAILROAD ACCIDENT.
From the Detroit Press Of December l6&.


most dreadful accident, attended with loss Of life
occurred last nsht shortly before eight O'Clock, the
Grand Trunk railroad, about mile and q half west OF
the Detroit and Milwaukee junction. through collsion
between the day passenger express west and freight
train going East. -
The passenger train behind time, and had made all
the necessary passes according to the teegrsPhIc nstuc
ton until il had passed New Baltimore station, where it s
said il had orders to the freight going Est at the
Detroit and Mlgaukee Junction When 1t arrived there
according the story of the operator at the Grand Trunk
Junction il had orders to proceed all right Under these
passed the junction. when shortly aterward
the engineer thought be discovered engine ahead The
next moment he heard the whistle to down breaks, when
he edatey gave similar order and reversed his engine
There were VITA him in the csb at the tune two other per
sops beside The fireman Before they could jump the two
engines came crashing together 10 ehtiu concert, liter
ally making chaos Of every thing connected with both The
engines we're doyetaed into each other in nsepsrable
manner and the mail aud baggage cars Of the passenger
ira driven partially through the forward passenger car
thereby causing the fghtul catastrophe which followed
The ger train which consisted only of two coaches
and baggage car crowded with passengers. Both
filed to the utmost 90 much 30 that scarce even
standing room could be obtained. After the accident
those in the forward who not heplessB injured
underworld TO get out possible II s said, and
we give il upon the authority Of one Of the passenger
that the baggage who appears had charge oil the
truu-tbere beirp no conductor aboard-or Of the
bakeaeu shut the hind door Of the and would not for
time allow the passengers esress stating that there
danger.
Imuedstely ator tie smash occurred the stoves were
upset and the took fire, In almost incredible
space Of time the flames eRyeloped the whole with the
exception OF the last car and how many persisted time
OIL ne can tell The fame shot up 10 broad sheet ilu
mnstug the heavens for miles around As seen from the
city, appeared though some huge bonfire was blazing
at the Skating Park The bells sounded the alarm aud
the engines turned out but after proceeding short dis
lance Woodward avenue they found that the fire was
far beyond the city limits and they returned Various
couctures rife to the cause but it not until
after the arrival Of Of the passengers In the city toa
the nature II the catastrophe was ascertsined
After recovering from the shock, those who escaped
turned their attentions TO the rescue OF those IN DANGER
aud succeeded in delivering several from the burning
While thus engaged they forced to witness sight
which fairly ourded the blood in their veins and toward
the recital OF which the pen denies its Office. The mail
agent Georae w Mlen, from Port Huron found to
b. smmed between the baggage and forward passenger
car HE leg was firmly held between two pieces Of bro
ken timber and all Efforts to rescue him before the de-
vouruR fame, euguphed him 10 their folds proved iute
The most herculean efforts TO e1tcate bis crushed and
bleeding limb from it's fearful embrace were used but the
rapidly spreading flames drove the laooreh from their
work and they were forced TO witness BIN perish before
TIER Is Lis hesrtendDg sheks piercing their ears tor
help until stfed amid the smoke and flames OF the de-
vUuDs element 1t was sckening sight aud completely
epervaed the energies OF those around 10 their duty 70
others equally terribly situated II Is probable that
fve or ak have perished Beyond the melancholy death
OF Mr. Mlep, DO other names have transpred special
train lett the Central depot about ten o'clock Tor the pur
pose Of removing the wounded to the city owing to the
obstrucons the track only those who were abe 70
walk returned by It, Another special, however was dis
patched over the Southern road To remove those whose
njure. required careful handling, They all brought
IN at late hour and their suherings q, kindly admins
tered TO q, possible under the circumstances The
majority Il them are strangers 10 strange land and
should receive the kndest treatment from our citizens
IL almost needless to say that all their baggage was de
strUyed which to several an ifreparabe lose The mails
were also burned with The exception Of few letters
We orbear commenting upon the cause OF this frgnuul
occurrence until tbe real facts are elected IL claimed
aud this would appear to be the true verson-tnat the
freight euene displayed no headlight Inns Is uItner SUE
the fact that the engineer on the freight
fret the approaching train some distance ahead
and after reversing bis engine and whstlDg down the
brakes he along with the fireman, eaped from the tram
aud escaped uDbuTt