The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-08-12
DESTRUCTIVE WRECK.

A Fruit Train Jumps the Track at Riv-
erside and Blocks Travel and Traffic
Several Hours-Fortunately Nobody
Killed,
About $40 o'clock last evening, de-
Htructive wreck occurred at Riverside
station about mile east OF Edge
Moor, which resulted In the loss of a
large Quantity of perishable freight,
amongst which were number Of car
loads OF peaches, but fortunately no.
body was killed.
The wrecked train was under charge
of engineer Sherwood, and consisted
OF fifteen cars loaded with perishable
freight. Coming up the Delaware
I,aiifoad, it went over the cutoff b5-
low Wilmington and WIS going ut Its
usual rate OF speed until 1t reached
opposite Riverside when oil at once
ten of the cars as il by concert jumped
tho track and went bounding over the
cross-ties. A general smash up OF cars
occurred. Potatoes, peaches cabbage
and other fruit and vegetables flew in
all directions. and cars stood length-
wise zigzag and across the track, some
on their sides, and one posted upon
end.
The first object was toascertain how
many OF the train men had been killed
or crippled, but to the Joy OF all they
all reported safe aud sound, notwith-
gtanding rumors that brakeman was
killed and a tramp had his legs cut of.
glance at the wreck showed that 1t
would tnke considerable time in clear
ing tho track, and it was evident that
the passenger trains either way would
be considerably delayed.
As it was the Wilmington aocommo-
dalton train No. 10, which left Phlla-
delphia at 400 p. m, aud due at Will
mington at 5.l4. barely escaped. being
caught in the wreck.
II Just came down as the wreck oc-
Cured and was 50 close to being
caught that one OF the derailed freight
cars struck the last car OF the accom-
mediation train and knocked OIL the
end, smashing three windows. A show
er of glass was shed upon tho passen-
gers in that part of the car but no In
juries were received.
Word was Immediately despatched
to both Wilmington and Philadelphia
for wrecking trains, and trains were
sent from both cities. The Whining
ton wreckipg train arrived ut $50
O'Clock and work was commenced at
once to open the South bound track,
There are three tracks between Edge
moor and Bellevue, one OF which was
exclusively for freight from the Della
ware cut off. The wreck completely
blocked all three of the tracks, and it
was O. 80 O'Clock before the South bound
passenger track was opened.
Train No. "A leaving Wilmington at
5. IL was blocked first. 1t was Z o'clock
before 1t could be taken over tho south
bound track and sent on its way.
The track was used for all trains after
this either way until the other tracks
were opened which was not until
about o'clock this morning, after
which all trains ran regularly on their
respective tracks again. y.
Two of the ears were SO badly
smashed up as to be utterly useless
and they were burned on the spot to
get them out OF the road.
Nobody had any idea of what caused
the accident but 1t Is generally attrlbu-
ted to the Spreading OF the rails. The
engine escaped damage. II is difficult
yet to estimate the loss, but 1t Is
thought it will not overreach S25, 900.
while the loss of the freight will amount
to 5000 OF $1,000 more.
A telegraph station was established
at the wreck. and the officers at Will
mington and Philadelphia were kept
apprised of every movement.
Never did an accident occur in
which the complete system adopted by
the railroad company provided for
such cases work to better advantage,
and there were general congratulations
that though the material loss was
heavy no lives were lost.