Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-28

We have to chronicle this morning fear
full and distressing accident on the Eastern
Railroad. An excursion train with four
passenger cars and baggage car crowded
with passengers, on their way to Hamilton
campmeeting, started from the Boston depot
Saturday evening. and stopped at the station
in North Chelsea, six miles from Boston.
There was some delay in starting the train
The night express train which reaches Au-
guste between three and four o'clock in the
morning, started from the same depot and in
the same direction at eight o'clock, and ran
into the excursion train that was standing on
the main track at North Chelsea, causing a
fearful destruction of life on the latter train.
DR.. Chamberlain of this city was ON the ex
press train, and reached home yesterday
morning at seven o'clock. From him we
gather some facts concerning the casualty.
The express train never stops at the above
named station unless warned by the signal
light. This light was burning, but it was
raining at the time, and a dense fog had
settled down SO that the light could not be
seen by the engineer until within. about ten
rods of the train. The crash seemed to come
Immediately after the alarm to brakes,
throwing the passengers in the express train
over the seats and on TO the floors, but not
injurng them. The engineer and fireman
had just time to jump for their lives. The
baggage master was fastened in between his
car and the smoking car, and badly jammed.
He was compelled to remain in that position
until the car could be shored up. brake
man was injured, but no others on this train
were hurt, as our informant states.
The express train was going at full speed,
and the engine struck the rear passenger car
of the special train and embedded itself
among its ruins, and the crushed and mangled
men, women and children that filled it. So
far had the engine pushed itself into the car,
that it was impossible from the steam that
was emitted to relieve any who might be
alive by going to the other end of the car.
Arms, legs and heads protruded from the
windows Of the car, some waving to be re-
leased, others tearing madly about to get
out, and still others fell listlessly down,
death having kindly released the victims.
All this time the screams and despairing
cries of the wounded and dying, were urging
those who escaped to do their duty and they
worked like heroes. Ropes were fastened
to the sides of the car, and they were pulled
off, revealing most ghastly sight. About
twenty dead bodies were taken out; four or
five others died after being extricated.
majority of the victims were fatally
scalded by the escaping steam from
the engine. Besides those killed out
right nearly fifty persons were more or less
injured. Some of whom came out from this
car apparently uninjured, sank down upon
the grss in paryoxisms of pain, having been
injured internally. 1t is strange fact that
some in this car escaped uninjured or with
only slight bruises. The end of the next car
set two OF the cars on fire. 1t was with the
greatest difficulty that some of the Mortified
passengers could be got out and saved from the
flames. The fire department of the place
turned out and rendered good service. A
relief train, with the superintendent of the
road and skillful physicians came from Bos-
ton, whittier news had been sent of the casu-
atty. A sleeping car was converted into a
hospital, and the wounded were placed in it
and taken to Boston, where they were cared
for. Another engine was sent out from
Boston, and new express train was made up
and proceeded on its way.
From the light we have at the present
writing it seems that the responsibility for
this slaughter must rest upon the conductor
of the special train, whose duty it was either
to have switched his train off on to another
track, or to have sent signals to the rear,
torpedoes or rockets, with which all trains
are provided, to warn the approaching train,
in case the usual signals are obscure, on ac-
count of the fog or from some other cause.
Our regular dispatches, published below,
give further particulars of this horrible affair.
TO the Associated Press
Boston, ~. The appalling railroad slaugh-
ter at Revere last night causes intense excite
ment. To-day large crowds have visited the
/ sCNbS VI uioestSi' lHcAdilIOdu nave
cleared away the debris and ruins, and the
road is in running order again. At the time
of the collision the accommodation train for
! Beverly had its red signal lights behind and
the read signal was hoisted at masthead of
the signal post for the express train to hold
up, which it did at Everett, but subsequently
proceeded. 1t was under full headway when
near Revere station; the engineer not being
aware of the proximity of of the Beverly train
until within perhaps 60 rods of it. He then
whstled down brakes, but not soon enough to
avoid the caimaty. Some of these in the
rear part of the accommodation train heard
the ominous whistle, but too late
to escape. On came the express train
at great velocity and the engine struck
the rearmost car full in the centre. and
forced its way in telescope fashion two thirds
! of the length of the car. The smoke stack
was instantly Knocked off, and the boiler
penetrated all of the distance named into the
rear car, the rear part of the latter being
smashed into a thousand spllnters, the debris
being thrown out on either side of the en-
gnes tender. OF the rear half of the car,
not fragment as big as a house window
could be found. The fore part of the engine
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