Local Correspondence
Johnstown, August 15, 1864
A railroad accident occurred at South Fork, a few miles east of this place one day last week, resulting in the instant death of a fireman name Colie, and the destruction of at least one locomotive and a large number of freight cars. It appears that two freight trains were running in the same direction and in close proximity to each other. The first of these was somewhat behind time and when slowly rounding the curve at South Fork, was run into the by the rear train which was coming at a high rate of speed. The engine of the second train and several cars were thus thrown off the track and down an embankment. The engineer jumped for his life and escaped unhurt, but the fireman remained at his post and went down with the engine. He was inextricably buried underneath the wreck, to which fire was in a few moments communicated from the locomotive. Horrible as the tale may read, the unfortunate man was literally burned to a cinder - reduced to ashes with the debris of the luckless train! That portion of his remains which was recognizable was gathered up and taken to Altoona where his mother and a couple of brothers reside, and interred. |
