The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-24
DOWN A DECLIVITY.
A TERRIBLE RAILROAD DISASTER
On the Cumberland Z Georges Creek ROad-A
Tumble Orer 4 Trestle-A Number Killed
aad woundsd-A Distressing Catastrophe
Attended BY Disastrous Results.
Special Dispatch to the IntellIScncer.

Special Dispatch to the IntelliEcncer
KEYsER, W. Va, January 23.-One OF
the most terrible and fatal railroad &C.
cidents that ever occurred in this section Of
the country happened on the Georges
Creek & Cumberland railroad, running
from, Cumberland to Lonaconniug to-day.
1t seems that three coal trains, consisting OF
three locomotives, fifty.two cars and seven
teen gondolas, all loaded, started for Cum
berland about o'clock this afternoon, all
coupled together-one engine in front, an
other in the middle and one in the rear,
this being the safest way to get down grades
this bad weather.
A FEARFUL PLUNGE.
In going down one Of the steep grades
about ten miles from Cumberland, the
whole train became unmanageable and
started down the steep incline at fearful
rate OF speed. The train kept the track
until it got onto trestie work having a
reverse curve. The front engine then flew
the track, dragging all the men, sixty.nine
cars, and the locomotives after it, all going
rolling and tumbling down steep hill,
which was between eighty and 100 feet
high, onto the track OF the Elkhart Branch
OF the Cumberland and Pennsylvania rail-
road. The loss OF life is fearful. Seven
dead bodies haye been found at the wreck
and more are missing.
TIE KILLED.
Each train consisted OF conductor, two
brakemen, fireman and engineer, making
in all fifteen human beings. not one OF
whom can be found alive to tell the fearful
tale. 1t is supposed the other bodies are
either among the wreck orthe men jumped
to eaye their lives and are laying down the
mountain somewhere, either dead or badly
hurt; and if exposed to night like this
will surely freeze to death. So far your
correspondent is unable to give you the
names Of the killed. The loss will fall
heavy on this road, it being recently built.
ASOTllER ACCUuNT.
Special Dispatch to the Intelhgencer.
CUMBERLAND, MD, January GA train
OF three engines, fifty hoppers, and five
scows, jumped the track by the breaking
OF an axle. Two engines and fifty hop
pers went over the bank. The other en-
CINE became detached and ran on. OF the
three crews OF twelve men, eight were
hurt, and three killed, William Lyons,-
James McGettegan and Martin Welsh.
]. II. Baldwin is missing and is supposed
to be under the wreck.
ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT.
CUMBERLAND, January 2S.-About 2
o'clock this afternoon wheel broke under
a car OF the coal train on the Georges
Greek and Cumberland road near Pompey
and smashed the train, seven miles west OF
this city, throwing about sixty loaded
cars and two locomotives down an embank-
ment Harry Baldwin, fireman, and Wm.
Lyons and James McGettigen, brakemen,
were killed, and Martin Welsh,
engineer, died soon after from in
juries. Daniel Bradley, fireman, and
James Dolan engineer, and George Focken
and Solomon Gross. brakemen, were fatally
injured. All the killed and injured resided
in Cumberland. The body Of Baldwin is
not yet recovered from the wreck, which
is Of such an extent us TO block the road
for several days. The loss to the railroad
company cannot now be estimated.