The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-09-20

DISASTROUS RAILROAD CATASTROPHE.
The Daily Tribune give the following par
ticulars of a frightful railroad accident which
occurred in Altoona on Thursday afternoon
of last week:
About o'clock p, m. a party of employee of
the railroad company started from Mr.. mcCnr-
purpose of proceeding TO the Office of James Fl.
Cramer. train dispatcher. at the extreme lower
No. go, which was pushing the "trackometer''
car, the uses and general appearance of which
scriptlon is not necessary Saffee it 10 say. for
the benefit of the unfamiliar, that to a casual
observer the trackOfneter would, ats short dis
tance. have the appearance OF a small pleasure
car. Upon the car VOC Joseph II. Sands. the
Special Conductor James Boyd, of Pittsburgh,
and Griffith Garrard, passenger brakeman.
500, engineer Taylor Grant, conductor Joseph
Johnson assistant conductor; s. W. Arble, fire
car proceeded on its way, and the rate OF speed
at which it passed down the yard is put by some
as high as thirty-flve. Orders had been given
to run fast, and the engineer complied. as il
was generaily understood that there was a clear
4 track. The was noticed flying down the
rails, and some speculation was INDUCED in as
/ TO the probable consequence of a possible acct
dent All went well until a curve near Ninth
street was reached, when suddenly there was
! noticed car ahead, which appeared to be oc-
cupylnR the sHme track as the one upon which
/ the party was riding. 1t took but a moment to
satisfy the engineer OF the danger, and the en-
] Eine WAS Immediately reversed, but the cOndi-
tiOn of the track and the impetus the iron horse
I had received operated against stoppage. The
feelings of the occupants can be beJter imac-
ined than described. Each one thoug ht only OF
/ escape, and, with hated breath, each watched
! the opportunity. Some succeeded in humping
while Others were hurled with tremendous
/ force, as they themselves and spectators tho't,
/ TO instant death among the ruins OF the wreck.
I The last box-car OF a freight train was almost
J out of the way when the little trackometer,
/ propelled by the powerful moter in is rear
was dashed into and under the car, rasinz ~
| from its wheels and crushing the diminutive
concern almost level with the earth. Then
| there was a hurrying to and FRO and the sea rcn
for the injured, many of whom were observed
as they were thrown into the deaf mill, began.
! With the exception of Messrs Sands McCull V
and johnson, the men succeeded in Jumping
from the engine and from the trackometer be-
TORE tne cOiIlslOn occurred Mr.. McCully was
! taken from the ruins with both feet mashed
terribly Mr. johnson was very seriously hurt
on the mead ana internally, while Mr. Sands es-
capped with a broken arm and couple of slight
cuts, although considerably shocked.
James Boyd, the Special conductor, was una
ble to get out of the car i'm time to avoid the
crash, and, throwing up his feet TO escape being
caught by them, was thrown by the conclusion
clean through the CAB. and landed on top OF
| The end OF the engines boiler, behind the steam
gauge.
Griffith Garrard, the passenger brakeman, re.
mained ont he trackometer as long ms he thought
safe, in the hope that the engine would be
checked, and when within about twenty feel
I track.
Geo. NJ. jackson jumped and aIighted or
some person whom he took to be GArrard
| which broke his fall and probably saved his life
! Taylor Grant jumped when abOu. three car
lengths from the freight car. and was thrown
for n considerable distance. He got of with
some ugly cuts on his hands, and was walking
on the street in an hour or two afterward,
s w. Arble jumped, and fell on his head and
shoulders. His injuries, though severe, are no
dangerous.
y. w. Baumgardner sprang from the engine
when within few feet of the subscquen
wreck, sustaining half a dozen severe cuts OF
his head and face and a three-inch cut to tn,
bone below the right knee Joint.