| From the Daily Picayune (New Orleans, La.) |
| |
| August 24, 1861 |
| |
| Terrible Accident on the Mobile & Great Northern
Railroad |
| The Mobile Tribune, of the 22d, says: |
| We are indebted to a gentleman of this
city for the following account of a terrible accident on the Mobile &
Great Northern Railroad: |
| The freight train on the Mobile & Great
Northern Railroad stopped yesterday afternoon, 20th inst., at Mrs.
Carpenter's place, (section No 46,) and took on a beef. I was standing
about fifty yards from the road when the train started. It got about 150
yards down the road, when I heard a crash, and saw, on coming up to the
road, the engine tender and two cars plunged over an embankment. I went
up where the accident took place as soon as I could, and from the
engineer, Mr. J. Fox, learned the following particulars: |
| "I kept my eye on the road along here the
whole time -- I always do on thee embankments. As we came within twenty
yards or so of this place -- 'where we went over' -- I noticed the rails
begin to tremble, and almost instantly the bank began to give way.
Although only an instant was occupied in going down, it seemed to me two
or three minutes. I had no hope of life, but I had mind enough to turn
off the steam. As soon as I touched bottom, (the engine being on her
side,) I crawled out and raised the safety valve. There were on the
train fifteen persons besides myself. I found all except three unhurt.
One, a negro named Jake, was picked up apparently lifeless; another had
a badly sprained ankle. Mr. Tillotson Fox, the civil engineer, was
sitting on the side of the road very much stunned, but did not think
himself much hurt. I think him considerably hurt, however." |
| The wounded were carried to Mrs.
Carpenter's, where every assistance was rendered. Their wounds were
dressed as well as was in the power of those present. They were brought
to town this morning, the 21st. |
| The late heavy rains had so undermined the
embankments that they were no longer safe. The damage to the company is
estimated at from $10,000 to $15,000. The damage done all along the road
by the rains is incalculable. |
| P. S. -- The negro who was picked up
apparently lifeless, came to on bathing, &c., His wounds were found to
be quite serious. Two cuts on the head, a very bad contusion on the hip,
and his shoulder-bone broken. |
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