The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-09-15

The Presidential Excursion
Departure from Pittsburg.
Railroad Platform Breaks Down
at Johnstow.
The Crowd Precipitafed into the
Canal.
The Result of the Casualty not
Asoertained.
Reception Along the Route.
Arrival and Reception in
Harrisburg.

Arrival and Reception in
Harrisburg.
PI1TsBURG, PA, September A.-The
President and party are now just leaving
the railroad station amid cheers and In
strumental music.
The Secretary OF State, who continues
unwell, remains behind the party under
the direction of his physician with the
hopes of effecting q quiet return TO
Washington before Saturday.
Major Rooms has the praise OF the ex'
cursionists, by his many acts of kind.
ness, and especially by his promptness
in seating them in carriages to and from
the several railroad stations.
Colonel Chad wick, CT the Milliard
Hotel, has commercially discharged his
duty in supplying refreshments while on
their way. They have 260 miles to
travel before reaching Harrisburg.
IRwNs, ga. NJ.
This place is the Head Quarters Of the
West Moreland Company's coal mines.
The train halted few minutes when
the President was introduced and cheer
ed. There were unanswered calls for
Grant.
GREENsBURG, PA, 9:l5 A. NJ.
The President was received by an en-
thusiastic crowd who displayed q banner
with the words Welcome" to the Presi
dent. Sec. Wells, Gen Grant and Adm'l
Farragut were severally introduced
and applauded. The President having
been called upon for speech said, time
would not admit of his making only few
remarks
LATRoBE, $50 A. NJ.
There was the usual reception. The
President said he appreciated the kind
receptions that had been shown him all
along the route. Boquets were present
ed to the President, General Grant and
Admiral Farragut, by the ladies. The
card accompanying the boquet to the
President, said: THE young ladies who
presented it intended to make the young
gentlemen representatives, who would
sustain his administration"
JoHNsTowN.
There were at least three Thousand
here assembled, the majority Of whom
cheered and yelled Senator Cowan in
troduced the President as the great tri
bune of the American people, which met
with an enthusiastic response. General
Grant was greeted with the usual EN-.
phatic demonstration, while Admiral
Farragut largely shared the plaudits of
the people Cheers and yells were again
and again given:
While the jubiliation was going on q
scene of thrilling interest and dreadful
apprehension was presented: Between
| the bridge and the railroad office and
over the old canal, was a plank cover
| ing, or platform, on which probably four
or five hundred men women and children
were! closely gathered. Those in the
tindmost car, were unaware of the giving
away of the structure on which they
were standing, when the first section
of it fell precipitating the occupants to
the ground, distance, apparently OF
| twenty feet; the second part soon follow
ed, and In less time than thirty seconds
thesel persons were thrown one on anoth.
or and buried beneath the ruins. Women
screamed and many men from the crowd
rushed to the location of the disaster
for relief to their friends. A number
of persons emerged from the wreck un.
isiared, Judging from the fact that
they were able to walk.
Men snd women were seen with help
less children in their arms, their clothes
and faces blackened by the coal dirt
! against which they had fallen. An old
man was let out by two of his young
neighbors. Demands were heard not to
tread upon the planks lest some of the
human beings might be crushed beneath
them The train, after removing sew.
eral, moved. A number of murdered
and of died apparently being borne
away The train was obliged to leave
to keep the time table right to avoid
accidents. There was no opportunity
afforded to ascertain the extent of the
accident. The President instructed the
Deputy Marshal O'Brine to remain at
Johnstown to learn the particulars, and
to render all possible aid to the sufferers
GALLETzEN, l2M.
Here the Committee of Reception from
Altoona came on board. 1t consisted OF
Dr. Finley, Chairman, and ten others
This gentleman informed the President
that they had been appointed by the
councils and citizens to tender to him
the hospitalities of their town, and this
they did without respect to party, and
with great pleasure, both as President
and citizen Of the United States. The
President, in returning his thanks, re-
mai ked that he thought he knew how
to appreciate such attention. The Doc
tor said they had erected platform, and
the people expected he would say some
thspg to them.
ALTOONA, 1890 P. NJ.
The party were received by probably
two thousand persons, some Of then
from the surrounding country. They
were conducted to platform bearing
the motto, Welcome to the President O
the United States, and the Heroes of tht
Army and Navy" D. 81. Neff, speaking
in behalf of the Council and citizens
said they felt it duty, as we'll as al
honor, to extend cordial welcome il
their mountain home to the President o
the United States and to the members o
ah