Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1901-02-28
A Railroad Wrack.

A majority of our readers have no doubt
read Of the horrible railroad wreck on the
Amboy branch Of the Pennsylvania rail
road near Trenton, last Thursday afternoon,
in which the Nellie Bly, express, and a
local passenger train came together when
both trains were at full speed, and in which
thirteen lives were lost and many were
injured. Many of the passengers on the
express were representatives of the various
K. of p. Lodges of South Jersey, who had
been in attendance at the Grand Lodge,
and no doubt these will give grapic re-
ports of the horrible wreck as they wit
messed it.
Among these representatives was County
Collector Geo. E. Pierson, of this city, who
will make his report of the Grand Lodge
doings to Mariola Lodge tonight supple
mented by the following account of the
accident as he saw it.
AFTER the adjournment of the Grand
Lodge Session, in company with many of
the brethren from Southern New Jersey,
among whom | now recall the names of
brothers VIM. G. Cowgirl, VIM. f. Gamer,
Paulsboro; Elijah Wheaton, Pennsville; D.
Harris Smith, Salem; Rev. D. G. Cobb,
Wenonah, and Sheldon S. Davis, Burling-
ton, we repaired to the Trenton station,
where we took seats in the rear car of the
third section of the celebrated fast flyer
Nellie Bly, express-at about five minutes
of five O'Clock, and were soon rushing down
the track at high speed, without thought of
any danger ahead. In very few minutes,
when about four miles away from Trenton,
most fearful accident occurred. The first
warning received in our car was loud
,,fr al. oe
the car, and an instantaneous stop, all
seeming to occur together. The conductor
who was collecting tickets near the front of
the car, was thrown down in the aisle by
the force of the conclusion, but Immediately
arose to his feet, threw up his hands, and
exclaimed, stay where you are, you are
safe The only casualty noticed in our
car occurred to brother Davis who received
a severe bruise in the mouth, causing blood
to flow quite freely. The car remained on
the track, as well as the one Immediately
in front with baggage car next, and the
passengers in both left them in deliberate
and orderly manner.
Upon going forward most horrible sight
met the eye of every beholder, and was
well calculated to appall the stoutest heart
and fill every one with terror and dismay,
at their helplessness to afford aid and
assistance. Telescoped together were both
engines, with broken cars from both trains
piled on them, and all an increasing mass
Of flame, a very hell of destruction, in
which stricken men and women were yainly
endeavoring to fight for life, while others
were vainly endeavoring to save them. On
the land side of the track. on every hand,
were wounded and manned men, in all
conditions of distress, with others dying or
dead, while nearby was the chastity sight of
the severed head of the brave engineer, who
met his death at his post in the terrible
crash of the head on collision with the local
train from Camden. On the canal side, the
fourth car from the rear, Pullman, had
left the track and hung at almost right
angles with the track down into the canal,
in which there was very little water with
the top of car leaning also at an angle
towards Trenton. This car was well filled
with men and women, but sturdy men
with willing hands soon rescured these
passengers from their dangerous position.
Such aid as the survivors could give to their
unfortunate fellow passengers was freely
and gladly given, and many of our brother
Knights worked heroically for the relief of
the suffers, among whom can be conspicu-
ously and prominently mentioned: P. G.
c., Rev. d. c. Cobb, and Grand Inner
Guard, VIM. G. Cowgirl. The latter was
especially efficient. After nearly an hours
experience with the most sorrowful and
distressing scenes which we have ever
witnessed, in company with Bros Davis
and Wheaton; your Representative walked
to Bordentown and obtained train to
Camden for home On our way down we
met the Camden relief train on the way to
the scene of disaster. The remembrance of
this awful railroad accident will always
remind me that kind Providence cared
for me in the hour Of great danger"