NP, WJ 2/5/1862

From the Wilmington Journal
February 5, 1862
 
Dreadful Accident
   Last evening about 8 1/2 o'clock, whilst a crank car containing David DeCoppet, Stephen Rhapp and Thomas Keith and two negroes named Peter and Alexander, was coming round the curve near the Depot of the W. &. M. R. R. {Wilmington & Manchester RR}, it came in collision with a train consisting of one locomotive and six cars, which was backing out to go on the turn-out just beyond the curve. The whole of the cars went over the crank car, which resulted in immediately killing three of them, viz: Messrs. De Coppett, Rhapp and Keith; the negro Peter has since died. Alexander was only slightly wounded in the ankle. The bodies were mangled considerably, DeCoppett's head being cut off from his body.
   Messrs. DeCoppett and Rhapp were at work on the Road engaged in repairing the bridges, &c. They were natives of Switzerland, but had been residents here for some time, and were very highly spoken of. At the time of the accident they were coming from the Brunswick river Bridge, where they had been at work, as also were the negroes. Mr. Keith was here on a visit, but on yesterday, we believe, went out to see Messrs. DeC. and R.
   Mr. Keith was a young man, a native of Timmonsville, S. C., where his parents reside. He had been Captain of a Company in Virginia, but on account of ill health had resigned. His body was sent home this morning.
   The negroes were the property of Mrs. M. E. Durant, of South Carolina.
   The occurrence appears to have been purely an accident, resulting from the belief of those on the crank car that no train would be moving at that time, and indeed, the train with which they came in contact was simply backing on the track, even that being somewhat unusual at the time of night when the accident occurred.

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