The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-09-22

~--sttA 80
Terrible and Fatal Accident on the South
Carolina Railroad Two Lives Lost =
Thirteen Freight Oars Destroyed En-
gineer Burnt to Death. 2ig Il. a..
No are panied 10 record most hor--
rblo accident, which, occurred to tho
night express train over tire South Ca
rolina Railroad Yesterday morning. A
large tree had fallen across tho track
and broken down a portion Of the long
trestle which crosses Congarec swamp,
short distance below Kingsvlllo; and
as it was not observed by tho engineer,
owing to tho darkness and mist, tho
locomotive rain into tho gap, and to.
gellcr with number Of freight cars,
was precipitatcd to the ground. In a
few minutes, it was found that tho fire
had been communicated to the cars,
and in very short time thirteen freight
cars, with their valuable contents, were
totally destroyed; and mourntul to re-
late, the engineer, Mr.. Sebron Har-
grovc--son in law Of our fellow citizen,
Capt. w. II. Casson--was burned to
death, nothing but his charred remains
being recovered the fireman, Mr.. J.
Gilbert, was instantly killed another
fireman, Mr.. Charles H. Burns, was
burnt but was taken to his home in
Charleston. The flames extended to tho
tresLle work, ard also to the telegraph
poles, a number Of which were burnt
The trees in tho swamp also took fire,
and for time it was feared that the
conilagraton would become general.
Through tho presence of mind Of Con-
ductor w, Fl. Evans, (of whom the
passengers speak in the highest terms,
aided by Messrs. w. D, Peck, J. w.
Perkins and others, the conductors and
the passengers coaches were uncoupled
and run back---thus preventing a fearful
loss Of life. An attempt was made to
save the baggage, by smashing in tho
car with coupling pins--tho only nipple,
mcnts obtainablo-which was partially
successful, and number of trunks were
rescued but a majority Of tho passcn-
gers lost their baggage. The mails
were saved. Tho express messenger,
Mr.. Thomas II. Svmmes, worked ener.
gctically, and succeeded in saving all
his money packages, with the exception
Of $l4O; but his freight was all lost
Mcssrs. James Mcguire and VIM
Lyles (train hands) are entitled TO great
credit for their earnest and energetic
cffurls during tho whole of the trying
scone. Tho loss to the railroad compa
ny will exceed 100000. Tho train
had been behind time, but when The ac
cidcnt occurred, was running very slow
Is. The locomoLivc-thc w. y. Dukes
was a perfect wreck.
Tho scene, rs described by cye.wit-
ncsses, was horrible in the extreme, ant
strong men shed tears at tho slght, nnt
nj their inability to assist Tire unortu-
nate engineer, who was caught in thu
machinery of the broken engine, anr
was burnt 10 death before the eyes o
the assembled passengers. Mr. Har-
groves was perfectly cool aud collected
and although occasionally his pain(n
situation forced from him shrek, Ii,
was yet thoughtful Of others, and warn
ed several parties, who attempted t
release him, OF tho danger they incurred
md at tho same time informing them O
the lmpossiblity Of rendering him an,
aid. He called to friend. (although a
The time the fire had burnt his hair OF
completely, and the lever which Ia,
across his body bad forced out his en-
trails, and gave him a message to hi
wife; he then folded his arms across hi
breast. and there they renamed unit
,he left arm was completely burnt of
The fireman, Mr.. Gilbert, wrs Instantly
killcd-being crushed under tho i'm
mense mass.
4 The following is hist Of the passen
j, gers aboard the train:
y. Ravcnel, Jr., and lady, chill,
and servant, T.. II. Jcrvey, A. G. Kauf
man, w. II. Dura, Charleston Mrs
II. s, Budd and child; Miss Anna Il
Fickling, W. d. Peck, Columbia; j. C
Mackrell, Blackstock John NelEghan
6. w. Conner, Baltimore /; }. w. Per
kins. Augusta j. M. Bunch, Union
Mrs. H. II. Odot, Spartanburg; J. w
Provost Charleston.
The freight was principally Gr me,
chants or the Greenvile, Rarlroad,
small portion for tho Charlotte Rail
road.---Phonir.