Wilmington daily gazette., 1872-11-22
HORRIBLE RAILROAD ACCIDENT
COLLISION ON THE p, W. & B. R. R.
'V0e WsW York Express train Runs
r , into the 100 train from
J I ! Philadelphia.
Two Persons Killed and II Wounded,

Early this morning, the most intense excite
ment was created on our streets, by the report
that . terrible accident had occurred on III p.
W. q b. Il. f., near this city. Crowds of peo.
P's soon locked to the depot to find their fears
realized in confirmation Of the report. From
careful inquiry into all sources, officials and
Otherwise we are enabled to present the follow
ing a correct account Of the causes wh.lh pro
duced the horrible affair.
The 1880 train from Philadelphia, last night
startsd at the usual time, with do misgivinss on
the part of the passengers or employees as TO the
fale which was awaiting them At Crum Creek
short distance above Chester, the engine broke
down, and was unable to proceed. Word was
instantly sent to Lamokn . new engine pro.
cured, and the train again started, the disabled
engine being shifted on to side track at Chester.
Shortly after the train left Chester, it was dis.
covered that the engine. for some reann or other
was unable 10 produce sufficient steam to move
thstrain at the required rate Of speed. 1t pro.
cseded, however, at q very slow rate, until a
short distance below Ellerslie, when the train
came to stand still, the engine being unable to
move further. The train was then over an hour
bshind time. II is due in this city at l2:i5, A.
NJ, while the New York through express, is
doe here At 2:0S, leaving only a difference Of
one hour and twenty three minutes between the
arrival of the two trains in this city
It was about this time that the engineer
Jas. Mitchell, seemed to become aware of the
great danger OF his position, and knowing
that the New York Express, was not, by that
Hme, very far behind, he blew the required
whistle signal for the latter train to down
brakes and stop. But the conductor, Anthony
Rue, of Baltimore, in express violations Of
the rules and regulations of the Company in
such cases, failed to send an employee back
approaching train. and to this criminal ne.
g[sct Of prescribed duties, is attributed the
horrible accident which ensued.
AaanWhile. the New York Express was
laundering along. at its usual high rate of
speed, the engineer, John Orme, at his post,
Add ihtenily watching ahead for any appear
aece of accident or wrong. Suddenly the
whistle Of the proceeding tram struck his ear
and quick as thought, he reversed his engine,
and whistled the signal for the brakesmen to
Z Welning too late. His train at the time was
coming at lighting speed around the cnrve
about one third Of a mile above EllcrsIe
Station, while the very considerable grade. at
that place, and the wet and slippery condition
of the track rendered 1t immpOssible to stop,
and they went crashing into the preceding
tram. which was standing .motionless upon
the track.
A scene of horrible confusion, then ensued
which beggsrs description. The two rear
= csrs on the forward train were completely
from its trucks, and forced almost completely
through the car Immediately preceding it,
How any Of the occupants Of these two cars
eocaped With their lives, Is certainly an in
c0mpfehensible mystery. They were almost
Sotaf wrecks, and inside, the seats were torn
from their fastenings, and thrown In broken
ffagmeuts, IN all directions, mingled with
sDlInte and umbers from the sides and r00fs
Il Was in these cars that the casulties occurred
Whieh. We learn, we're as follows
II. Henry G. Fritz, foreman Of Bush's morocco
aAstory, was killed. colored man named George
PullstE Of Salisbury. Nd, was also killsA Mrs.
bsoksn, which were set by DR.. Paul II. Brown, of
New WrYaek. This lady, We are told, exhibited
nost renaskabls coolness under the circumstances,
SuAAskiag Nat thsro were 20 many hurt wore
thAa - Vas that ehe could not complain. 1he
spa q I'll lAAy, Ns Charles E. Fritz. clerk at the
IsaAAe laeensy o1 Wn. Bu1A, Was badly injured
inAernally. Il was Eeperted early this morning
hat Be had died. But W learn that this was pre-
naturs. He sxpectoratsd large amount Of
Mod, and fsan arc entertained that he cannot
recover. His vile, krs. Lana Scott Fritz. received
{ h1xt We hslisve thoss mentioned constitute the
. vhole family Of the dscsassd Nj. Fritz. They all
Evn1 Is S96 Wssbington street. The yospg pso
- Voeo nAxied about . year since and y ere pre-
Ioelne for Housekeeping. The condition Of the