The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-08-16

The ACCIDENT ON THE N. h NJ. r. R.-We
published yesterday brief notice of the acci-
dent on this road, near Washington, upon
Thursday evening. We give the account we
find in the Muscatine Journal as containing
more particulars than we had yesterday
The bridge over the north branch of Long
Creek, at Ainsworth Station seven miles from
Washington, gave way on Thursday evening,
about FIVE clock, while the train from this
place to Washington was passing over it, for
the particulars of which we are indebted to
Jesse N. johnson, mail agent on the train,
who saved his life by holding to an iron bar
just above the door, while the contents of the
car were being thrown from one end to the
other with great velocity.
When the engine moved on the bridge it
began sinking; this, together with the down
grade Of the track, caused the cars to follow
rapidly after, and had the effect of pushing
the locomotive entirely across the bridge. This
is all that saved the entire train from going
down. The report from the collision Of the
cars as they sank down with the bridge, was
SO great that it could be heard for miles.
The names of the killed are Charles ".
Sullivan, of this city, William l.. Stevens, OF
Washington, and John Irons, discharged
soldier, formerly of Co. H, 32d Iowa; his res
idence was Webster, Keokuk county.
Mr.. Sullivan was baggage-master on the
train, and was supposed to have been stand
ing on the platform ofthe passenger coach at
the brake, when the car immediately before
it stopped suddenly and caught him between
the two, killing him instantly His remains
were brought to this city yesterday morning,
and taken to the family residence, from
whence they were escorted to their last rest,
ing place at five clock in the afternoon bv a
large number of friends to mourn his untime-
ly end.
MIR. Stevens was standing upon the plat
form OF the baggage car, probably talking to
to Mr. 5. at the time of the accident He was
struck just below the right ear and about halt
his head torn off. His body was horribly
Imangled His remains were not found until
yesterday morning, when they were picked up
IN the creek, near the bridge and taken to
Washington for lnterment. He leaves wife
and two children.
Mr.. Irons, who was sitting in the front end
OF the passenger coach, which was completely
smashed to atoms. was taken out of the ruins,
and lived but few minutes. His remains
were also taken to Washington. but will no
doubt be sent to his friends for burial
Several others were considerably bruised.
, none of whom were, however. seriously in
jured.
those connected with the road and the citi-
zens in the vicinity of the accident did all in
their power to assist in caring for the unfortu-
nate men.
This sad affair caused considerable excite
ment and anxiety in the city, yesterday, as
there were many others reported killed and
wounded. While we mourn for those who
were plunged into the valley of death, we con.
graduate those who were so fortunate as es-
cape such terrible and appalling visitation Of
Providence.
The railroad company is very severely GEN.
sured. land we doubt not, JUSTIFY for this de-
structlon of human life. 1t is known that
very little regard is paid by the company to
their bridges, and we are credibly inform ed
that one mentioned above was considered the
safest and best on this branch.