[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Sept 12th I left Boston at 5 oclock in the express train of cars for Portland ... the engine was thrown from the track in consequence of a rail being raised 8 inches by some designing miscrant. The force was such that It drove the engine about 5 rods ahead and smashed it to peaces with the Baggage cars piled [on] top of it & the first passengers cars followed in its train & mounted the pile and instantly killed /about 8 feet high throwing the passen[gers?] [--]/.
One Lady was brused but not dangerous, another was slightly injured. The lives of many were in danger, & it seemed a mystery that so little injury comparatively was done. Four cars were filled with passengers & had not the force been broaken by the baggage cars many lives would have been lost. The Baggage car soon was on fire which was with difficulty extinguished. The fireman was thrown about 3 rods & escaped with a slight injury. But the engineer Mr Adams from Portland was buried beneath the pile & instantly Killed. The ruins had to be removed before the body of the enigneer could be obtained. He has left a wife & one child to mourn his loss. No blame Could possibly be attached to him as the rail was raised in such a manner that no warning was given untill the engine & Baggage car was a pile of ruins.
Mr Thomas Hall opened his house for the reception of the passengers & much praise is due to the whol household for the attention that was paid them. I spent most of the night here in the woods & got chilled through. They sent to Portland for another engine, which arived in time to take us to portland in the morning.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
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