Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-06-02
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 3l.l
FRIGHTFUL RAILROAD ACCI'
IH DENT. ..-.... .. ...... ...
The Toledo Train Runs into the Sal
.r r.. duSkY rain.

L |. lphIN ...f...... ...
| f..
The Toledo Train Runs into the San
| .r r. dusky rain.
We have to record frightful railroad ac-
cident that occurred about four miles from
the Union depot on the c. G. & G. railroad,
at about nine o'clock. The accident ocehr-
red at what is known as the upper curve,
opposite Calkins' farm. At that point the
Sandusky train, in charge of Conductor W.
| w. Parker, and due here at 9:l0 A. NJ,
broke an Eccentric" The train was drawn
| by the locomotive "Ottawa," Engineer
| Phelps. The breakage necessitated a halt,
and, as the Toledo train was expected every
moment-there being but eight or ten min
utes difference in their time-a flag man
was sent back to the Slaughter House bridge
| to give warning. ..-...
The Toledo train was under such head
way, however, that. although the flag was
seen, the train could not be stopped, and the
collision was the consequence. The incom-
| ing train was drawn by the locomotive
"Ohio." Engineer Allen, and was in charge
of Conductor j. B. Tyler. The Engineer,
seeing that a collision was inevitable, leap
ed to the ground, and was badly bruised
about the head. One baggage, one express,
and two passenger cars of the Toledo train
were almost entirely demolished, as were
two of the Sandusky, or "NOrthern Divi-
| sion" coaches. The Toledo train, as we
said before, was going at rapid rate OF
| speed, which accounts for the fearful char
acter of the collision. Some of the cars
looked more like piles of kindling wood
than anything else. One of the Toledo bag
gage coaches was turned completely upside
down.
One person was instantly killed, and ten
or twelve wounded; some OF them badly.
Intense excitement prevailed in the neigh
borhood of the accident, which constantly
increased; crowds hurrying thIther from
| the city, and from the surrounding coun-
| try. This fact rendered it difficult for our
reporter to get a clear account of the sad
affair at once. Nearly all of those hurt were
in the Sandusky train. The name of the
deceased was Mrs. Lynch, of Berea, who,
with her husband, was en- route for Cleve-
| land to visit her daughter. MIR. Lynch was
| very seriously wounded, to what extent we
| could not learn. Mrs. j. w. Thornton, of
Olmsted Falls, an elderly lady, suffered a
| dreadful fracture of her left leg, below the
knee, from which the bones protruded. Her
| left ear was likewise nearly torn off. Mrs.
Atwater, of Castalia, with two children-a
| little boy and girl-were all bruised about
the head; Mrs. Atwater and the little boy
slightly the little girl mOrtally, it is
| thought. Mrs Swift, sister of Mrs. Thorn
| ton, also residing at Castalia, was badly
| bruised about the left side of her head, and
upon one leg. This party were on their
way to visit the family of Mr.. Tower Jack
son, who reside on Detroit street. They,
| with the dead body OF Mrs. Lynch, were
conveyed to a house near the railroad
| track.
Within very short time after the occur
renee of the collision, the officers of the
Columbus road had dispatched train to
the scene of the disaster, containing sur
geons, mattresses, surgical instruments and
other appliances, GprdpOs to the occasion.
Among the surgeons who volunteered their
services were Doctors Strong, ID. III. Beck
with, Herrick and Wheeler Gather ard
\ son) A number of the worst cases were
taken to the city in the relief train; among
| them Mrs. Thornton ana her husband.
Mrs. Thornton was taken Immediately to
( the Charity Hospital on Perry street. The
other sufferers were promptly and effectu-
ally cared for upon the spot. ,.
A considerable portion of the Sandusky
train was taken into the city, soon alter the
accident; the ruined cars, only, being left.
The G. @. & G. passenger train, due at the
depot at $3.50, came up on time; but was un-
able to pass, owing to the wreck, which
completely blocked up the track.
We are unable to give the names OF all the
wounded, as, amid the excitement that pre-
1 vailed, it was impossible to procure them.
We have given the names OF all who were
badly hurt, however. Rumors of the most
extravagant frightful character, reached
the city, soon after the collision. In some
instances the number of killed was placed
as high as thirty; and they were represent
ed as being piled up by the side of the
/ track. Such stories sent crowds of curious
I people flying towards the point of disaster,
from the city and from the adjoining
country. o." ...
Just before the Toledo train came up,
Conductor Parker, of the Sandusky train,
apprehending collision, had got most of
his passengers out of the cars, which ac-
counts for the comparatively few hurt.
The accident occurred, however, before all
could alight.
The officers of the road were promptly
on hand and did every thing in their pow
er to "bring order out of chaos" and to
promote the comfortof the wounded. Con-
ductors Tyler, of the Toledo, and Parker,
of the Sandusky train, were unhurt; and
both were very efficient in the work of
regulation.