Fatal Railroad Accident on the Buffalo, New York & Erie Railroad - October 1858

Fatal Railroad Accident on the Buffalo, New York and Erie Railroad 

Chenango American, Greene, NY, November 4, 1855

A frightful and fatal accident occurred on the Buffalo, New York and Erie Railroad, Thursday morning, the 28th ult., about one and a half miles above Conesus station, and about 55 miles west of Corning.

Owing to the fact that one of the killed, and two of those injured were residents of this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], the particulars and incidents connected therewith possess a melancholy interest to our readers.  Hence, we have been to some pains to glean from the many reports in circulation, the real nature of the disaster and its results.  For a large portion of our information, we are indebted to Mr. Mesick Read, the father of the young man killed, and to Mr. Lyman Beach, father of Mrs. Terwilliger, who was injured, both gentlemen having visited the scene of the accident, the latter remaining there some days.

The cause of the accident is generally attributed to a too high rate of speed consistent with the state of the road, and the curve which they were turning.  The train was behind time, and was running so rapidly as to cause the remark by people who witnessed the smash up, that it was unsafe, and so it most fearfully proved. The direct cause of the accident was the spreading of the rails, under the tender, leaving the baggage car and the two passenger cars, of which the train consisted, to run upon the ties, while the locomotive and tender were upon the track. The whole train moved in this manner about twenty rods, when the passenger cars became detached from the baggage car and left the track and ran on the embankment by its side, the forward one running into and partially demolishing an Irish shanty. The shanty, no doubt, save it from the fate which the last car met; as it was, the passengers in it received some abrasions, but no one was severely hurt.  It was left in the shanty, with the floor at angle of forty-five degrees. The occupants of the shanty, a woman and three children, saved themselves by sudden flight when the work of mischief began.

The engine did not leave the track at all, but ran some distance, leaving the tender and baggage car at a cattle guard.

The scene of horror was at the wreck of the last car, and this is described by those who witnessed it as a painful one indeed.  This car ran into an embankment and was thrown upon its side, the forward part being considerably the lowest. The car was pretty much smashed into pieces.  Not a seat was left in its place, and scarcely enough of the wreck to indicate the form of the body. The unfortunate passengers, some thirty or forty in number, suffered severely.  All of those who were seated upon the right side of the car were thrown to the left side, and towards the forward part of the car, which was the lowest.

The passengers who were uninjured at once ran to the assistance of those who were, and helped them from the rooms.  Two men were instantly killed, and an infant so much injured that it died soon after.

Mr. O. Hurd, an elderly gentleman of Newark, Wayne Co. was instantly killed.  His chief injuries were about the head.  Mr. H. was an extensive stock broker, spending much of his time in New York and the West.

Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, of Dansville, were on board, and Mrs. M. had an infant in her arms, eight months old.  All were severely injured, and the babe so that it died in about an hour.  The parents will probably survive.

The other one who was killed, was Silas M. Read, of this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], who was on his way to the West. When taken from the wreck he was barely alive, and immediately thereafter expired.

Mr. and Mrs. David Terwilliger, formerly of this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], now residents of Sparta, Wis., who had been here on a visit, and were on their return West, were badly hurt.  Mr. Terwilliger, had one eye injured and it was feared that he was internally injured.  Mrs. Terwilliger, was seriously damaged. They were both removed to a house near by, where they now are, and, as we are informed by their friends who have visited them, are in an improving condition, and quite likely to recover.  Mrs. T.'s ribs were not broken as was reported.

Mr. Case, mother and daughter, residence not stated, were all injured.

Mathias Fox, of Avoca, Steuben Co. [NY], was dangerously injured.  He had a nephew and a friend with him, both injured, the latter considerably.

Elias Khun, a German, of New York, was badly hurt.

H.M. Valentine, of New York, said to be a drover, was much injured, but insisted upon being taken home, and was removed on the next train.

J.R. Paddock, of Terre Haute, Ind., is seriously injured and is in a dangerous condition, and unable to be moved.

Mr. Nellis or Willis and his nephew, from St. Johnsville, Montgomery Co., [NY], were also badly hurt, but they went on their journey.

Miss Rozencrante, of Hammondsport had a severe cut over an eye, but went to Buffalo on her way to Wisconsin.

Jas. McDonald, and another brakeman on the train were considerably injured.

Wm. McEwen, of Ashtabula, Ohio, was considerably injured, but went on his journey.

The above list, we believe, comprises all who were enough injured to cause them any detention.

Henry Burrows, formerly of this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY] and lately of Coventry, was in company with Mr. Read and Mr. Terwilliger, traveling westward. he was sitting in the same seat with Mr. Read (who was killed), and miraculously escaped without any injury.  He remained with Mr. and Mrs. Terwilliger, until their friends, who were immediately telegraphed to, had come.

The passengers speak in the highest praise of the people residing near the scene of the accident, as well as of the superintendent and physicians of Livonia, and other places.  

The wounded are having the best of care, and nothing that can be done to relieve the sufferings of the unfortunate ones is left undone.

The Coroner's jury found a mild verdict, exonerating the company from all blame, but at the same time expressing an opinion that they were at too great a speed to run upon curves.

This is the first instance in a long series of years that our community has been startled by news of this nature, wherein our own neighbors were so deeply interested.  Of course much excitement prevailed upon receipt of the fatal intelligence, and a lively interest is felt for the recovery of those who survive d the dreadful calamity.