NP, NUA 2/24/1861

From the Nashville Union and American 
 
February 24, 1861
 
Railroad Smash Up
   On the {Memphis &} Charleston railroad, on Wednesday, an accident occurred a mile beyond La Grange to the freight train coming to this city. At that spot a portion of the cars became uncoupled from the rest and as there is an inclined plane there, the engineer went on without being aware that only two or three cars remained attached to the engine, and that the remaining part of the cars were following him like a dog's tail after it had been cut off rushing in pursuit of its flying master. The engine of course got somewhat ahead of the cars, but the brakes were let down as La Grange was approached and the speed checked. When the motion had almost ceased, down came the uncoupled cars with all the impetuosity communicated by the descent. They crushed into the rear of the cars attached to the engine, and presently two or three of them were smashed into fragments and tobacco, cotton and other articles, and especially a large quantity of rice, lay scattered around, a wreck most complete. Besides the cars destroyed, four or five others were more or less injured. Fortunately no one was hurt, and a detention of some three hours was the only annoyance of a public character.
Memphis Appeal, Feb. 22

Home