Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-09-24
TERRIBLE AND FATAL ACCIDENT
Two Lives Lost.
THIRTEEN FREIGHT CARS DESTROYED.
Ono Man Burnt to Death.

We arc panied to record most ter.
rlble accident, which occurred to
the night express train over tha
South Carolina Railroad, yesterday
morning. A largo tree had fallen
across tho track and broken down n
portion of the trcstlc which crosses
Congarce swamp, u short distapce be-
low Kingville; and us it was not oh.
served ny the engineer, owing to tho
darkness and mist, the locomotive ran
into the gcp, and together with q
number of freight cars, was prccipita-
ted TO the ground. In few minutes.
1t was found that fire had been com.
municatcd to the cars, and in q very
short time thirteen freight cars, with
their valuable contents, were totally
destroyed; and mournfhl to relate, tho
engineer, Mr.. Sebron Hargrovc-son-
ln-law of our fellow-citizcn, Capt. w,
IL. Casson-was burnt to death, moth
ing but his charred remains being rc-
covered; the fireman, Mr.. J. Gilbert,
was Instantly killed; another fireman,
Mr.. Charles Ii. Burns, was badly
burnt; but was taken to his home in
Charleston. Tho flames extended to
to tho trcstlc-work, apd also to tho
telegraph poles, q number of which
were burnt. The trees in the swamp
also took fire, and for a-timc it was
feared that the contlagration would
become general. Through the pres
cncc Of mind Of Conductor W. II.
tvans, tof whom the passengers
speak i'll the the highest terms, aided
by Mcssrs. W. d. Peck, J. w. Perkins
and others, tho conductors and tho
passengers coaches were uncouplcd
and run bacll-thus preventing fear
ful loss of life. An attempt was made
to save the baggage, by smashing in
the car with coupling-pins-thc only
implements obtainablc-which WAS
partially successful, and q number Of
trunks were rescued; but majority
Of the passengers lost their baggage.
The mails were saved. The express
messenger, Mr. Thomas II. sympcs,
worked encrgcticailv, and succeeded
in saving all his money packages,
with the exception Of $40; bat hi
freight was all lost. Mcssrs. James
Mcguire and VIM. Lyles (train Eands)
arc entitled to credit for their earnest
and energetic efforts during tho whole
OF tho trying scene. The loss of tho
railroad company will exceed $780,
coo. The train had been behind time,
but when tho accident occurred was
running very slowly. Tue locomo-
tivc-the W. c. Dulles-was perfect
wreck.
The sccnc rs described by cyc-wit-
ncsscs, was horrible in tho extreme.
and strong men shed tears at tho
sight, and at their inability to assist
the unfortunate engineer, who was
caught in tho machinery of the bro
ken engine, and was burnt to death DO
fore the eyes Of tho assembled passen-
gers. Mr.. !Iargrovo WAS perfectly
cool and collected sand although oc.
casionally his painful situation forced
from him shricls. he was yet thought
full of others, and warned several par
ties, who attempted 10 rolcasc him, of
the danger they incurred, and at tho
the same time informing thom Of tho
impossibility of rendering him any
aid. lie called to fiicnd, (aIthough
at the time the fire had burnt his hair
off completely, and the lever which
lay across his body had forced out his
cntrails,J and gave him message to
his wifo; he then folded lis arms
across his breast, and there they re-
manned until tho left arm was COM
,plctcly burnt ..off. The fireman, Mr.
Gilbert was instantly killcd-being
crushed under the immense mass.
The following is list Of tho pas,
sengors aboard the train:
DR., Ravcncl, Jr. and lady, child and
servant, +. r. Jcrvcy. A. G. Kaufman,
W. Ii. Dura, Charleston; Mrs. Il. S.
Budd and child; Miss Anna Il. Flick,
ling, w. ID. Pocls, Columbia; J. c.
Mackcrcll' Blackstock; John NelIig-
han; G. W. Conner, Baltimore; J.. w.
Perkins, Augusta; J. NJ. Bunch, Un-
ion Mrs. II. II. Odot, Spartanburg;
j, w. Provost, Charleston.
The freight was principally for mer-
chants ON tho Grcenvillp Railroad, a
small portion for the Charlotte Rail-
road,
Tho following is believed to be q
correct list of the freight lost, belong-
ing to persons in Abbevillc:
N1NETY-SIx.-J. Crcsswcll-hAd.
W. G. Fooshc-bale bagging, 10 bun
dies cotton ties. Rogers Bro.-keg
nails, 10 bundles cotton tics, bale bag
ging. J. NJ. Richardson-11 bundles
cotton tios. 9 bales BARRING. Dbl flour.