The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-22


TIE Camden and Atlantic Railroad Com pany,
for the first time since its organization, met
with serious accident yesterday afternoon, by
which they sustain very heavy loss, and by
which one man was killed and FIVE others
badly injured The casualty occurred about
one and half miles below Haddondeld. the
particulars OF which are as iolows;-That
section of the state of New Jersey lying
between Haddon6eld and Long-a-coming about
hat-past IL o'clock was visited by one of the
most terrific rain storms that has ever been
witnessed. The water iell in torrents, and in
about one hour the entire country was flooded.
The streams were swollen to an extent that
alarmed the farmers.
On the location ABOVE indicated was culvert
three feet by five, about fifteen feet from the
surface of the railroad track, and so great was
the force of water that the structure was washed
entire ly away, leaving the rails and quantity
OF soil which was held together by the ties.
The lightning express for Atlantic City left
Camden on its usual time, 2l5, reaching the
scene of the accident at q minutes of O'clock.
The speed of the train was aoout 80 miles to the
hour, and this fast rate was the only thing that
saved the demolition OF the entire train and the
loss of hundreds of lives.
The engineer did not notice on his approach
anything unusual until he reached the western
end of the culvert, but it was too late. On went
the locomotive until 1t reached the eastern end,
when the rails gave way; but it bounded on to
the embankment, and went headlong for over
hundred feet. when it made complete somer-
sault TO the right side of the track. 1t was fol-
| lowed by the tender; but the baggage car, con-
| tanning several persons, was overturned on the
! left side of the track thus saving a conhagra-
! ton, and perhaps fearful loss of life.
The smoking car bounded over the chasm,
! the trucks dropping into the abyss below, and
! landed across the track. 1t was tull at the
time, but fortunately but two, passengers re-
ceived severe bruises Notwithstanding that the
seats were twisted into every conceivable shape,
and the occupants thrown about as though they
were footballs. The front of the car was
dashed in by the top of he locomotive. Tue
next car came along, the trucks ollowing those
of its predecessor, and landed alongside of the
track. This was occupied chiefly by ladies,
who showed the presence of mind to keep their
seats until released from their uncomfortable
position. This WAS accomplished with consi-
derabe difficulty, as both platforms were COM
| pletely crushed in.
BY the time the third car reached the eastern
| embankment the tram had come to halt, aud
| the lives of its occupants were saved by the
couplings holding fast: 1t dropped on the em-
bankment, thus bridging over the chasm.
| The scene on the exit of the first passengers
was indeed thrilling. The engine was bio wing
of steam at q fearful rate, and the cars we're
working to and fro, and 1t was calculated that
one OF them would toppe over the embankment,
| but it imbedded itself firmly into the sand and
afterwards served as a bridge for the passengers
| TO walk over the wreck,
| As soon as the men got out, they commenced q
search for any that might be lying among the
debris. 1t was not long before John Hutchin-
son the engineer, was seen, and he was soon
released, but presented shocking spectacle,
being 11lghtfuliy scalded from head to foot He
was conveyed to neighboring house, where
the best Of attention was given him.
! William Hill, the fireman, was extricated from
among the ruins, and he was found to be badly
sCalded. The section-master at Atlantic City,
named Connolly, was crushed about the arms
and legs, and slightly scalded., Both OF these
| sufferers were also removed to the above house.
Mr.. Feruley, a hardware merchant on Market
street, sustained some severe bruises.
Mr.. Lansingbock, residing at Broad and Cum
berland streets, was injured about the head and
body.
Hungarian, whose name we were unable to
learn, received injuries about the legs.
Both OF the last named were in the smoking
car.
Many narrow escapes were made among
| which We mention the cases OF George Ferris,
who was on the engine; William G. Yates, the
forward brakesman, who was on the platform OF
the baggage car; and Joseph Bartlett, the bag
gage master, who was at his post Mr.. Beecher,
the conductor. at the time of the casualty was
in the fourth car examining tickets.
As soon as the extent of the disaster was
ascertained, messengers were detailed to White
Horse and Haddon6eld, and by that means the
news was conveyed to the city. train con-
tanning some physicians and a construction car,
was Immediately despatched to the scene. Drs.
Wetherill and Runnell repaired to the house to
which the wounded had been taken, and used
every effort to ease the sufferers.
The freight train frCm Atlantic City arrived
about five O'Clock, and the passengers were car
ried to White Horse to await the 42O train from
the same place. Having come to time, the suf-
ferers were placed on board, and at about nine
O'Clock il started for Atlantic, which it reached
at twelve o'clock. Messrs. Hutchinson and Hill
were then taken to their residences On the
! way down, DIR. Wetherell, Charles Custis, agent
at Absecom, and Major Newbold of this city,
were unremitting IN their attention to the
wounded, as were also the various officers OF the
road, including President Frazer, Superintend-
ent GUSTS, Conductors Beecher, Boardman aud
Campbell, and special officer Caldwell. Indeed,
too much praise cannot be awarded these noble
hearted men.
A large number Of workmen were detailed to
the spot of the accident, and labored all night.
A bridge for the accommodation of the passen-
gers of the various trains which are arriving
and departing was soon constructed. This
morning the work of removing the debris was
commenced, and it is expected by to-morIo v
or Friday tIestle work will be finished. In
the mean time the trains will all run as adVer-
tsed.
We have learned by telegraph Of the death o
engineer HUI crimson, at Atlantic City.
1t is truly wonderful that no lives were lost
amidst the ruins of the train, 1t being about as
complete wreck as we ever saw. Had 1t been
moving at a rate of ten or flteen miles to the
hour, the loss Of life must have been fearful
Tor then the engine would have plunged into
the excavation, which was some twenty feel
WIDE dragging after it the baggage aud passen
ger cars which were well dled, but, as it was
the engine bounded for some distance, and sc
ceeding, that it drew the bodies Of the cars
af er it.
The scene in the smoking-car was terria &c
Seats were taken from under their occupants
and the front part was in an instant filed with
fying bits of wood. Several men were takeI
from under the seats, where they had beer
, thrown by the force of the concussion, while
! dozen or more were piled In the aisle. One
| gentleman was iammcd between the backs o
I two seats, but was not much injured. Anothe