Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-02-03
SERIOUS RAILRoAD ACCIDENr
A Broken Rail the Cause.
FOUR CARS BURNED UP.
Twcnty-eight Persons Injured.


from a broken rail, by which four cars
were burned aud large number ofpassen-'l
gers more or less injured. The facts, as
carefully gathered from the railroad officials
and passengers on the train, are as follows:
now IT HAPPENED.
The Erie mail east left Lock Haven on
Monday evening, january 30, at 1910,
being 35 minutes late. The train had
passed Bald Eagle creek, and was proceed
ing at the rate of about 20 miles an hour.
1t had reached point about three miles
east of Lock Haven, when four of the cars
were suddenly thrown from the track by a
broken rail, precipitated down an embank-
mcnt of twenty feet to the waters edge,
where they took fire and were entirely con-
sumcd.
The precise nature of the break which
! caused the accident has not been fully de-
termned. Whether the rail was broken
before the engine passed it or whether it
was kroken by the engine is a mooted ques
tion, although the latter theory is thought
to be the most reasonable, by railroad men,
! from the fact that the engine was not
thrown from the track. The train was
drawn by engine No 1014, and there were
about forty-tive passengers in the cars.
| The first intimation the passengers had OF
the accident, they felt Che cars rolling down
ha
bcd about by the violent movement.
THE DAMAGE.
| The baggage car, two passenger coaches
| and the sleeper were sent crashing down
the embankment, and were quickly in
! flames, fire having caught in the sleeping
car. The passengers of this car succeeded
in eiltctng their escape through the rear
door, whilst those in the other cars kicked
out the windows, most of them getting out
by that means, and the others by the doors,
| all on board, it is quite certain, making
good their escape, though great many of
them were injured by the fall, and num-
Der burned more or less severely before get
ting out.
CARING FOR TIE SUFFERERS.
As quickly as possible after the first thrill
of excitement had subsidized, the uniniured
began to exert themselves to provide for
the others. y number repaired to shanty
near by, occupied by an Irish woman,
whom they induced, by making up purse
and giving it to her, to open her house and
make up good fire for the comfort of the
wounded. The worst injured were here
given all the attention possible during the
time they were waiting for relief This was
not long in coming, as the Express west
arrived in short time, and the passengers
Vi luC NIEChtu tIdlu MCIC IuhCu Oll bOt'lN'
COMMUNICATION INTERRUPTED.
Ihe worst ullnCuIty enUUuu.v.~a ..---
lack of telegraphic communication, the
wires having been broken down. The engine
of the unfortunate train proceeded to VIII
Transport as rapidly as possible Tor aid, and
n man was also dispatched To Luck Haven,
where the wreck car was gotten out and
sent to the scene of the accident. AS soon
as the officials of the road in Williamsport
were apprsed of the occurrence, they eXer-
ted themselves with all possible energy to
send relief. y physician was summoned
and various necessaries provided for the
use of the sufferers. \ car was soon on the
way containing officials and employees of
the road, the physician and all the articles
likely To be needed on the occasion.
RELIEF ARRIVES
No time was lost in running up to the
, scene of the accident, where they arrived
Just after tie passengers had all been pick
ed up by the express west The wreck car
from Lock Haven had arrived in the mean
= time, and cleared the track Of all obstruc-
liOns.
The express then proceeded to Lock
Haven, where number Of the wounded
were left after having received careful medi-
cal aid and every other attention possible.
4 full list of the injured was taken, together
with the nature of their injuries and their
place. of residence. Physicians from
Winiamsport, Jersey shore and Lock
Haven were present, and eXerted themselves
quite faithfully to alleviate the sulIerings
OF the wounded.
DISPOSITION OF THE INJURED.
The Williamsport special car returned at
an early hour in the morning, bringing the
remainder of the wounded, with the eX-
I gaptipn Of "a loft OF
Shore. Upon their arrival in Williamsport,
rooms were secured in the IIerd!c House
for the wounded, and every possible care
: exercised TO render them comfortable.
: The following is full
LIST OF TIE INJURED,
as kindly furnished us by the railroad Off
cials:
James Lysaght WilIiamsport, burned
about the limbs.
Charles PATTERSON, Troy, Pa, burned
! badly about the face, feet and limbs.
J. Z, Felt, Emporium, Pa, cut above
the eye and injured in hand.
Mrs. L. 4. Griswold, Sterling, Pa,
! slightly bruised.
j. X. Hanlin, Pittsburg, flesh wound in
head.
Aaron Williams, Belefontc, flesh wound
! in side of head.
, DaIllci M DTluc, DeI!elohte, severe liesn
wound Of the scalp.
;, William Steele, PhiIlipsburg, Pa, slightly
bruised about chest. - ,'.... =. :
David Steele, Phillipsburg, Pa, slightly
! bruised,
: Peter Carroll, Benezette, bruised about
the head.
Arthur Quinn, Buffalo, New York "a
blind man, limbs bruised. .r ...
J. j. Dale, Tionesta, Pa, left shoulder
bruised, and cut in head. ,...
n Mr., Finney and daughter, Clearfeld
: Pa, slightly bruised, f ,.
c. f. Ranstead, Williamsporl, slight.
bruised. .. r. ... --."
! Miss J.. Cook, New York, left side bruis
! ed. I.... L.. ', ........
e J. ". Lynch, Philadelphia, head ant
- limbs bruised and slightly burned abou
y hands. .... .... .rt ....
a w. w. Mason, Tionesia, Pa, bruised
: on arm and side. His little daughter als'
!, received slight wound. =. f..
. James Bushnell, Titusyille cut on tn,