Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-01-20
A TRAIN DERAILED.
Frightful Accident to an Elk.
press in Massachusetts,.
Ten Persons Instantly Killed and
Many More Injured.

TEE train which leaves Boston on the
Western Division of thu Boston and Mime
Railroad at l o'c,ock P NJ is known as the
Portland Express and makes the run between
Haverhiu and Boston, thirty three miles, in
SO minutes When the traiu left Boston on
Tuesday it consisted of baggage-car, milk
car Pullman smoker and four passenger
cars, under charge of Conductor Wrimouth,
one of the oldest and most experienced men
on the route. At Bradford, which Is on the
south side OF the Merrimac River, separate
road makes curve before passing upon
the bridge. At the centre Of this curve
are brick round house and a wooden water
house. situated in a right angle formed 10y
of the road. The Newburyport traiu had Just
steamed by and was waiting for the express
to pass before drawing up to the station
. The express drove safely by the switch and
Pullman cars had reached the bridge when
tn smoking-car. either owing TO a broken
truck or a broken rail, left the rail
and bumped along over the sieepers
till it reached the first span OF the bridge,
where it toppled over. In its erratic course
the car became uncoupled, did the passen-
ger cars Immediately following. One of these
turned almost at right angl 70 the track and
broke directly into two parts, but without
losing its equilibrium or doing much damage.
The cars Immediately following this plunged
headlong into the wa er hous., completely
wrecking it and telescoping themselves,
while the fourth car stayed on the track,
sustaining but little damage.
The alarm was at once given, and fear ng
that the wreck might catch fire, the whistle
was blown, to which the Fire Department at
once responded. Fortunately their efforts were
not needed, although they reniered efficient
aid in clearing away the debris and
removing the dead AMI injured. In
fifteen minutes after the alarm was given
hundreds of willing hands were at work.
Owing to its proximity to the shoe factories
the crowd soon became great as to necesi 81
tate the roping off of the wreck in order that
the men might have room in which TO work.
Upon investigation 1t was found that none
of the passengers in the overturned smoking
car were seriously injured, though some
were more or less bruised, and one man
had his leg fractured. The occupants OF
the car following were less fortunate,
several receiving severe injuries, while the
cars following those which crashed into the
round house were completely smashed and
crushed that nearly every occupant was
more or less severely injured.
The scene was hearJren ling. The screams
of the wounded the sobs of those whom the
shock had rendered hysterical and the frantic
appeals of those who missed friends an
relatives caused the stoutest hearts to quail
But in the meantime the work OF clearing
away the debris went bravely forward. The
physicians of Haverhill and Bradford
responded en- masSe to telephone requests for
assistance. The wounds of those less severely
injured were dresse |, while those unable to
travel were at once placed in ambulanceS and
conveyed to the City HOSPITAL.
One of the most piteous sights seen was
that of a husband, wife and little five year
old son lying together in heap under tia
ruins of the telescoped cars, the mother hol /.
ing the child close to her bosom as if TO shield
it from harm ALI three were cold in death
The following persons were instantly killed'
John O'Brien, Bradford; William Taylor,
lxx-I1 fo
and child, Kennebunk, Me- Walker Harri-
son, Maine; Clarence Hardwood, Boston:
Charles Thurlow, Newton junction, N. II.
Dennis Shannon, Bradford; Josephus Shaw,
Boston.
About sixty persons were injured, at least
fifteen of them quite badly, and two or three
so seriously that their recovery was not ex-
pected.