Bordentown, NJ Serious Rail Road Accident, Nov 1833

From the Philadelphia Inq. of Nov. 9.
SERIOUS RAIL ROAD ACCIDENT -- LOSS OF LIFE.

The steamboat New Philadelphia, railroad line, did not arrive at the wharf at Chestnut street last evening until about twenty minutes past six o'clock. She was detained by a very serious accident that occurred on the rail road seventeen miles the other side of Bordentown. As the cars were passing along the road at the rate, it is supposed, of twenty miles an hour, one of the axle trees of a centre car gave way, the car immediately in the rear was partially thrown off the road, and the others rusheding against it crushed it literally to pieces, injuring severelya great number of passengers. One of them died immediately; and it is believed when the passengers left, that several others would never recover. The gentleman who died, was a MR. STEDMAN of North Carolina, who appeared to be travelling alone. Four hundred dollars, it is said, were found in one of his pockets. His remains were left at Highstown, in charge of some of the citizens of that place.
About twenty four persons were travelling in the most unfortunate car, that which succeeded the one which was the cause of the accident. Ex-President ADAMS was in this latter, and escaped unhurt. Of the twenty four it is believed two thirds of them were more or less injured. Five were left behind, and some of them who came to Philadelphia were shockingly mangled. Two ladies and one child were among the sufferers. An episcopal clergyman named WEST, had hid leg broken.
As soon as the accident was discovered, the cars were stopped, and all possible means taken to relieve the sufferers. The scene can be better imagined than described: and a passenger who is used to travelling, and has witnessed more than one serious accident, states that he never was present on an occasion so appalling.
Since writing the above we have seen another passenger, who states that the cars were going at the rate of THIRTY-FIVE MILES AN HOUR. Can this be possible?
The U. States Gazette furnishes the names of some of the passengers who suffered injury:
MR. J. C. STEDMAN, of North Carolina, was killed; MRS. BARTLETT and child, very much injured; MR. DREYFOUS, of this city, much hurt; Capt. VANDERBELT injured, considerably; DR. WEST had his leg broken; and several other persons, making in all ten or twelve, suffered more or less.
The REV. DR. WEST, whose leg was broken, suffered a simple fracture below the knee. DR. J. K. MITCHELL set the limb, and authorises us to say that DR. W. is doing well, and there is no doubt of his rapid recovery.
The REV. DR. W. is pastor of the Episcopal church in Newport, R. I.
From the Philad. Gaz. Saturday Afternoon:
The axle of one of the foremost cars gave way, either by the heat of friction, or the pressure upon it, and the whole train was immediately arrested. The second car, containing twenty-four persons, was overturned, with great violence, and twelve of the passengers more or less injured. One of their number, MR. JAMES C. STEDMAN, of Raleigh, N. C. was instantly killed. The prostrate car, with its load, was dragged nearly forty yards. The locomotive at the time was going at the rate of more than twenty miles an hour.
We gather from the statements already published, that a MR. LEX, or REX, of New Lebanon, probably in Ohio, was shockingly mangled, so much so that he could not be removed. MRS. BARTLETT, of Washington, D. C., her sister, and two children were injured. MISS BARTLETT, of Washingotn had her arm fractured. MRS. BARTLETT is the lady of Lieut. BARTLETT, U.S.N.. They are at Congress Hall in this city. The REV. DR. WEST, of Washington, D. C., had his leg broken; he is at the house of the REV. MR. TYNG. MR. CHARLES, of St. Louis, had his leg injured, though not broken, as first supposed. He is at Sword's hotel.
MR. STEDMAN, the gentleman who was killed, is said to have continued ratinal to the last. He gave directions with regard to his family, and the disposition of his property. He expressed his wish to die in Philadelphia, but when the found his final moments approaching, he prepared to meet his fate with tranquil resignation.
Hon. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS was among the passengers in the foremost. He escaped without injury. A child had some of its bones dangerously fractured, and is not expected to survive. A MR. DRAYFELUS, of this city, was injured, though not dangerously. Capt. VANDERBILT, of the New Brunswick steamboat, was badly wounded in the back, and a gentleman near him had both of his legs fractured.

The Adams Sentinel Gettysburg Pennsylvania 1833-11-18
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!