Johnstown, PA Train Wreck, Nov 1858

The Recent Accident on the Pennsylvania Railroad.

The details of a recent accident on the Pennsylvania Railroad, at Johnstown, a few days ago since, on account of the destruction of a bridge are given by a contemporary. The locomotive and four coal cars fell a distance of thirty feet into the creek. The engineer, fireman and conductor were on the locomotive at the time, and their escape from serious injuries, if not instant death, is the most remarkable we have ever recorded. JAMES SMITH, the engineer, made his way to the top of the first car, from whence he was thrown, by the force of the accident, a distance of several feet, lighting upon one of the piers of the bridge, and sustaining but slight injuries. CHARLES O'DONNELL, the fireman, and DANIEL HENDRICKS; the conductor, were carried over the bridge, and mixed up with the wreck below. The former received but a few slight bruises about the body and arms, and after being almost drowned, managed to crawl forth and make his way to the shore. The latter was not so fortunate, being taken from the wreck with one arm broken and badly bruised, and several other injuries, though slight, about his head and body. A German, who was working his passage on the train, was also considerably wounded about the head, and had his jaw-bone fractured.

The Huntingdon Globe Pennsylvania 1858-11-03
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!