The New York herald., 1869-05-16

Freight Cars Demolished by the Locomotive
Of a Passenger Train-Severnl Passengers
Jump OF and Are Seriously Injnred-An Ex-
citing Scene.
The Cincinnati express train, which left Dunkrk
at ten O'Clock on Thursday night, ran into the rear
end OF a freight train between Cuba and Belvidere
at fifteen minutes past three O'Clock on Friday morn
ing and left the freight train total wreck. The lat
ter had run or the track, and q squad Of railroad
employ es were at work in replacing the cars
on the track The engineer Of the passenger train
was driving at the ordinary rate Of speed and would
have reached Belvidere on time. The moment he
discovered the lying across his route he whised
down brakes shut or steam, and knowing that the
momentum was great that the train could not
be stopped before 1t reached the freight cars he and
the fireman jumped OF. As a great number OF pas
sengers get ON this train at the Cuba station they
had moi retired TO rest and the signal Of the engi
neer being heard through the train many
OF the passengers rushed out the platforms, while
others nut their heads out OF the windows and the
terrors OF the situation were comprehended at a
glance. -Four men sprang from the front platform
Of the third car, one OF whom, In his eagerness to
get on, slipped and struck on the ground heavily,
where he remained insenslble TIL restored 10y the
efforts OF some OF the passengers afterwards. His
name was Gilbert Sadiier OF Dunkirk The other
three were more or less injured by the fall one man
having MS lcI lNCtitlcu I'LL IA SHockluR
Several Others jumped OF, not one OF whom escaped
without some bruises.
The confusion aud excitement at this instant can
easily be imagined by any one VINO mas ever iOund
himself In a railway car at the dead OF night sliding
along at dashiny speed, the world OUTSIDE SUM
bernQ I'M peace while to HIM ana his companions
death stalks n thousand shapes before their eyes,
man IN such position sees at one glance as IN q
mirror the ghastly spcctlces he has read OF IN the
chapter OF railroad slaughters. The women screamed,
rusiCd from their seats, and were transformed IN an
instant into frantic beings tue children started
ron ~ ,nelr be soutes hearts aua,led' the
conductor holding his lamp In one hand ana swing
Ing or the PLATFORM cnging py ,he &C. o,aer nana 70
beforehand the extent OF the coming disaster. All
tins II the picture OF but moment yet the horror OF
that moment Will never be forgotten In the lives OF
the paasenQers The locomotive dashed on and then
came the shock The engine struck tue last lreght
at an acute angle ran clear through crushed IN
at soine point near the centre Of gravity,
for iit was literally shlvered TO pieces.
me locomotive was greatly damaged, some OF the
connecting rods being bent as II they were mere
Most fortunate and strange not one OF the passen.
ger cars was IN the least injured or moved from the
track The passengers. who remained quietly In
their seats were frightened, but not hurt. One OF
the empIoyes who was standing In the DOORWAY OF
the car was thrown down by the shock and slightly
iniured Trains were delayed six hours before the
ON the Cincinnati express, who expected TO
reach New York a. six O'Clock on Friday evening.
statements were obtained setting forth the foregoing
Particulars. Three OF the injured passengers went
10 Ilorneilsve, the others were able to proceed to
their respective destinations.
The almost miraculous escape OF the passenger
cars was the chef topic OF discussion among the
railroad oicias yesterday. The train superintend-
ent. conductor. baggage master and engineer In
their respective reports 10 tue General Superlntend-
ent ascroe their escape 10 the compression platform
and automatic coupler with which ali the passenger
cars ON the Erie Railway have been recently
equipped. The conductor added that had
the od platforms and loose couplers been
attached 10 the ears "tclCsc0pngn would be newt
alle and general smash 40 would result Mr. Rid
die the ate superintendent declared IN one OF his
reports that the loose cOuplers were the cause OF
nine out Of ten railroad accidents. The only salts
iactOfy theory furnished Ia regard TO the recent
Long Island Railroad disaster "a consistent with this
view, while the Angola disaster could not have oc-
turred, according 20 the testimony OF scientific men
but for the loose couplers and the consequent IN
creased oscillation. Here IL valuable lesson for
railroad compsnles. n the views OF such men a.
those referred be correct there yet hope that tue
hall Ia t<rrOfa