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A Heavily Loaded Train Goes Through a Rotten Bridge.
A Heavily Loaded Train Goes Through a Rotten Bridge--Twenty-five Passengers Injured--Sad Termination of a Camp Meeting. NEWBURG, N. Y., September 2. A bad accident occurred Wednesday night, on the Wallkill Valley Railroad at a place about eighteen miles north of Goshen. A heavily loaded passenger train broke through a rotten bridge at that point, and twenty-five persons were more or less injured--some of them seriously, though probably none of them fatally. During the past ten days a camp meeting has been held at Wesley Grove. The attendance has been very large, and on the night of the accident 425 passengers were on the train. About half way between Shawangunk and New Hurly stations, a bridge which spans a cattle pass was reached. The engine passed over it in safety, although it broke the cap piece to the truss of the bridge. The baggage and four other cars went off, however, in succession, the couplings remaining secure. The engineer had reversed his engine, which was rapidly lessening its speed, through the dragging of the train, when the coupling of the two rear cars broke, and all, except the engine and tender, rolled down an embankment ten feet high. A scene of horrible confusion followed. Every effort was at once made by the uninjured to afford relief to those who were injured. As there was no moon, the horror of the occasion was increased. Large bonfires were built on the grounds, and the injured in all the cars were cared for as well as possible. Some trouble was had with the drawingroom coach, which lay in such a position that the doors could not be opened, and the passengers could not get out of the windows. It was necessary to
and remove the passengers in that way. As soon as all were removed from the wreck, carriages were obtained, and some of the injured were driven to the nearest village. The majority were taken to farmhouses in the vicinity. The other passengers remained on the grounds until morning, unable to get away. They improvised beds of car cushions, shawls, etc., and bivouacked under the trees for the night, while a few found places in the disordered cars. The following is a correct
Ron Auchmoody; James Friedenburg, of New Paltz; Mrs. Benjamin Shorer Milton; Patrick Whalen; Rebecca Van Buren; Emma Coalan, of Rosendale; Lydia Terwilliger; Robert Denniston; Mrs. S. B. Low; J. D. Miner; C. J. Townsend; Mrs. C. J. Townsend; Mary Townsend; W. D. Ackley; Mrs. D. L. Wynkoop; Henry Crane; August Schepmoes, of Kingston; Mary Johnson; S. T. Andrews; Mrs. D. A. B. Whitaker; Louise Trumper; R. A. Nichols, of New York; Peter Trambour of Walden; Mrs. Marcus Beach; Mrs. George Jackson; Harry Dunn; Mrs. Hiram Schoomaker, of Rondout; William Rice, of Goshen. Robert Denniston suffers from congestion of the brain. Mary Johnson had her collar bone broken. R. A. Nichols' wrist was broken and his body badly bruised. Mrs. George Jackson had her collar bone and shoulder blade broken, and William Rice was badly cut and bruised. The other injuries were slight. Early yesterday morning, a wrecking train arrived at the scene, and though the force worked all day at the debris, two cars still remain unmoved. The passengers who had slept under trees were taken through to Kingston. Nearly all the injured were sent to their homes. William Rice, the watchman for the engine lives. He arrived at his home this afternoon, and is severely bruised. He was in the express car at the time of the accident, and the safe fell on him. Mr. Nichols, of New York, was injured internally. He vomited seriously, and raised blood. Morphine was administered, and the best possible care, it is said, was given to him and all the other injured passengers. An experienced railroad man said this evening that the bridge was not fit to be used. It is only a surprise that it has not broken before. The Erie Railway Company operate the road, but do not own it. The Wallkill Company is responsible for its good condition The whole damage by the accident will be about $20,000.
Source: Unknown, "Railroad Accident, A Heavily Loaded Train Goes Through a Rotten Bridge," Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, Thursday, 3 September 1875, p. 3.
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