The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-11-04

DREADFUL ACCIDENT on THE b. q Y.
RAtERoAD.-About 8 o'clock yesterday
morning serious accident occurred 70 q
freight train on the Baltimore q ONO
road about two miles east Of Rosebye
Rock. The train was composed o.
eighteen cars, and was coming toward
Wheeling, running at the rate Of not
more than three miles an hour, when the
accident occurred. While the train was
passinR over the second bridge at this
mimi. Where thereis curve in the track,
tbe engine (No. 176) suddenly jumped
tbe track to the left, and was precipitated
over the embSnkment, distance OF
about forty feet, turning completely
upside down. Two Of the cars
also went over, and were left
leaning against the treaties on either aide
OF the bridge. The third car turned half
over, while the fourth ran off the track,
and was pulled on again without much
trouble in a short time.
In the engine at the time the accident
occurred were Washington Hamilton, the
engineer; George Merchant, the fireman;
Henry Little, a brakeman, and Thos.
McCue, fireman who was en- route to
this city in search Of employment. Mr..
Hamilton was forced into the very mar.
row space under the footboard OF the en-.
gine, where he was found doubled up
with his head between his feet. He was
injured internally, and lived only about
Eve minutes after he was taken out.
Some fifteen minutes were consumed
in clearing the debris from the unfortu-
nate man, before be could be taken from
the wreck, during which time he was
conscious and conyersed with those about
him, telling them that he knew his inju-
ries would prove fatal, but that he felt
that he had done his duty. he spoke
not Of his own sufferings, but his mind
constantly dwelt upon his wife, whom he
alluded 10 in the most endearing terms.
II was a sad scene, and those who wit
messed it were deeply moved. Mr.. Ham
ilton was probably AZ or 4S years Of age,
and one OF The Oldest engineers on the road.
During his long term Of service he gain
ed the respect and confidence Of the OIL
GERS OF the company, as we'll as the en-
ployes. His body was brought 10 this
city. and taken to his late residence at
2OlS Water street. -
McCue was caught under the tender,
and fully two hours elapsed before he
could be dug out OF the wreck. He isin-
iured internally and it is feared will die.
| he has no feeling whatever in the lower
portion OF his body. Little went over
with the engine, but was not caught un-
der Il. With the exception OF an ugly
cut on the side OF the face received from
a lump OF coal, he Is uniniured.
Mr.. Little says that the last thing
he saw Of Hamilton, as the engine went
over, he was at his post, shutting of the
steam. Merchant sprang forward to.
ward one OF the piers as the engine went
over, but missed the pier and struck
against piece OF timber, and thence fell
into the stream below. He was only
slightly hurt 4 - - +,
The cars we're loaded with oysters and
canned fruit, which were spilled quite
plentifully about the wreck. The engine
was completely demolished, while the
two cars that went over the bridge were
badly damaged, and it was necessary to
cut them open to get out the freight.
The trestle work OF the bridge where
this accident occurred Is perfectly
sound. 1t has recently been under
going some repairs, in order to substitute
Tor the wooden bridge substantial iron
structure, but every care had been taken
to insure its safety. The only theory
advanced as to the probable cause Of the
accident is that fish bar, where two
rails are Joined together, became loose,
and allowed the rails to spread, and as
there ia curve at this point, although
the train was running rather slowly, the
wheels Of the engine ran between the
rails and off the track. The No,
10 Express had passed over the bridge
at 1880 A. NJ, en- route to Wheeling, all
right. There il. no doubt that the acci-
dent was unavoidable, and no blame can
be attached 10 any one. It was one Of
those unforeseen railway disasters which
occur from time to time, despite the pre-
cautions that have been taken to prevent
. them. .E.....