Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-08-29
Letter from Springfield.

~~.. -, SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, Aug. 20, 1873.
,.,,, Dear Times ON Saturday night last,
1.-The 10Th inst, one of those heart-rending,
sickening railroad disasters occurred on
:. the Chicago & Alton Railroad, about 10
miles south of Chicago, near little place
called Lamont. The night passenger train,
due here at o'clock Sunday morning, was
somewhat behind time and did not reach
q certain point on the road at which 1t US
ually passed north bound freight train at
the proper time. The freight conductor
would not wait there, but against the adj
vice and earnest protest of the station a
gent started out; in few minutes there was
fearful collision. Twenty men were kill
ed and from forty to fifty to greater or
less extent injured. Among the killed
were four of our most worthy and promi-
.nent citizens Mayor Jno. Smith, Frank
Fleury, Noah Divelbiss and VIM. Little
They were literally scalded to death. The
two engines collided in such way (being
on a curve) as to pass each other. The
freight engine then struck the smoking
car of the passenger train squarely, raising
and running under it, tearing out the floor
and letting in a flood of steam from its
sbursted boiler upon the unfortunate vic
Tins. Burned, blistered and blackened,
until their friends failed to recognize them
only by their voices, they yet lived in such
terrible suffering for several hours. and be-
sought the bystanders to kill them and
thus end their terrible fortunes. The re-
mains of the four unfortunate citizens were
brought here on Monday morning, and at
Q O'Clock of the same day the funeral ser
vices were held at the State House Bust
ness was entirely suspended and it is esti-
mated that not less than 5000 people were
in attendance The band opened with a
solemn dirge, then followed prayer, read
ing of the Scriptures and addresses by diff
ferent clerical gentlemen and the Governor.
The whole concourse of people then joined
in that beautiful chorus, eyes, we'll gath
er at the river" The effect was melting,
many sobs were heard and many tears were
shed. Maspns, Odd-Fellows, Knights of
Pythias, Fire Companies, all in uniform,
State, city and county officers all joined in
the solemn procession as it slowly moved on
to Oak Ridge Cemetary, making moving
mass Of mourners fully mile long. I
never saw such funeral, and it never has
been equaled here except at the burial of
Abraham Lincoln.
I have heard, with much sorrow, of the
dreadful Wawasset disaster. knew Miss
Jennie Marbury well. When child have
had her often on my knee, and, though 1
have not seen her for several years, know,
from the promise she gave, that she must
have grown into beautiful and interest
ing young woman. How much I regret
that,she could not have been saved. The
name OF Kate Mcpherson is as familiar to
my ear as those of my own children. How
much Tirejoice that some brave and heroic
hand was there to rescue her from watery
grave. The ways 4of Providence are be-
You'd our finite scrutiny, but in His own
way the destiny of the children of men is
meted out. 'sTn the midst of lite we are in
DEATH with this, lesson so painfully and
at times so fearfully taught US, why should
we not be always ready? N. B. H.