The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-03
AN AWFUL CALAMITY.
THREE CITIZENS KILLED BY THE
FALLING OF A BRIDGE. -
OTHERS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
DEATH or COL. JAMES r. BRANCH,
b : POLICEMAN -KLREHAM, AND
~ RICHARD tASHBY.
FULL PARTICULARS.

FULL PARTICULARS, - <.
1t is our painful duty this morning to lay.
before our readers the particulars of one OF
the most appalling calamities that ever
torhced the heart of this community.
The city is in mourning. One Of her fa-
yorite sons has fallen from hopeful, buoyant
life into bloody grave. Three other wor-
thy citizens are dead, and others still have
received wounds which render their reco-
very at least doubtful. +
THE coLoRED BARBECUE.
There are few citizens Of Richmond who
were not aware that q barbecue was to have
been held by the colored voters who favored
the election of Col. Walker and the adoption
of the eXpurgated constitution ut VauXhaiPs 8
Island on yesterday afternoon. About 250
of the most respectable colored men in
Richmond and Henrico signed the call for
this demonstration, and many of our most
prominent white citizens manifested o
great deal Of interest in the enterprise.
than Colonel James r. Rranch. whose
name headed the Conservative senatorial
ticket for this district. He, with the colored
members of the Committee Of Arrange
, ments, arrived early at the place selected
for the barbecue, and was stirring about
with great activity, making suggestions,
and by his pleasant remarks contributing
not little to the good humor of the party.
THE SCENE OF THE D1sAsTER.
It was not intended to hold the barbecue
on VauxhalPs Island, but on the adjacent
one, known as Kitchen Island. A suspen-
sion bridge not more than fifty feet in
length and about five feet in width con-
| nected them, and to get.to the barbecue, of
course this bridge had to be crossed. A
policeman, stationed at the end nearest
Richmond, was directed to allow none but
those having tickets to pass until all the ar
rangements for the dinner and speaking
were consummated.
The fortunate possessors of tickets passed
over singly or in groups until about seventy
five colored men and at least hundred
whites were over. Some were engaged in
preparing the meats and vegetables for dim
ner, some were drinking at the bar, some
were amusing themselves with the swing ;
the band was playing n lively air, and Il
number Of young c0lored men were prepa-
ring for a dance. Colonel Branch and
Messrs. Lovenstein and Atlee were chatting
with some intelligent colored men about the
prospect-a momentary excitement having
been caused by the arrival Of Abram Hall, q
colored man, bearing aloft banner upon
which was painted representation of q
colored and white man shaking hands,
with the motto United zoe stand; diuided
zoe fall" ....
| HOW 1T HAPP ENED.
This was the state Of affairs when CO.
lored man rushed up to Colonel Branch and
| informed him that there were good many
! Walker men on the other island who
couldn't come over because they did moi
have tickets. Colonel Branch said g Lei
| ~, tn fhoto
and went on the bridge, accompanied by
another person whose name we could moi
learn. He walked rapidly halfway across
and then beckoning to the policeman OF
duty, exclaimed: "Let them come on
Dinner is nearly ready! There's plenty o
room !"
The policeman thereupon gave way, ant
the eager crowd on the other side rushed OF
the bridge. There was swaying to ant
! fro. Somebody cried, "The bridge is givins
away" and in an instant the heavy struc
ture, with its human freight, fell with {
crash into the rushing food below.
TIE BRIDGE BREAKS.
The sound was heard all over boil
islands, and there was simultaneous rusl
to the bridge. The sight that met the eye
was appalling. Ten or fifteen human beings
were buried beneath the heavy timberS
|
and the crushing weight. Most of them
being only slightly wounded, soon scram
bled out, and, grasping the chains and jump
ing from timber to timber, reached The
| shore.
Others, however, were not so fortunate
The first of these was Colonel Branch. Ht
had been struck on the back of the necl
by massive iron chain. Then falling be
meath the bridge, he was unable to eXtri
cate himself, and lay for several minutes
with the water dashing over his face, struS
Cling in vain. Policeman Kirkham, wht
was on duty at the end of the bridge neares
NauXhalps Island, had his head mashed
between two falling beams, and was in
stantIy killed. 4 colored man named Pete
Campbell was badly cut upon the head ant
received another blow, from which paralysi
resulted. Robert Ashby, > Mr.. Lotsey, ant
others whose names were not until after
wards ascertained, were also badly Injured
/ PROMPT RESCUE
! There was no neglect on the part of th
bystanders. A score of men, both whit.
and colored, OF once plunged into th
stream, many Of them not stopping to TAX
off their clothing. Among those who wer
most active were Squire Robert Allen
Major Robert Stiles, Isaac Hatcher (coloret
barber), and others, whose names we woult
be pleased to publish, but were unable Z
obtain. Through their efforts the injure,
men were finally extricated and brought Il
land. yr.g raalsLC ..s.
SCENE ON THE ISLAND.
The scene on VauxhalPs Island after thi
beggars description. The news, which ha
flown through the city like wild-fre, dreI
hundreds of our citizens to the spot, an
every one who arrived was at once al
anxious inquirer. Men ran hither an
thither, asking many questions in on
breath; policemen called loudly to TIA
crowd to Stand back from the wounded an
give them air; and those cooler men Of tl
Surgical art moved more calmly about i
search of, or in aid of, some sufferer.
The fallen bridge, the cause Of the day
awful fatalities, drew large crowds to tn
banks of the little stream between tn
two islands which was crossed by it. Me
from the other side shouted loudly for SUI
geons and surgical instruments, which wer
conveyed to them as soon as boats could b
procured. In the water there were me-
wading about with their clothing on, search
ing among the debris, in the fear that som
other victim might yet be underneath. Tn
colored men who were present behaved
with but few exceptions, remarkably well
and rendered service whenever requeste