New Haven Daily Herald

The Railroad Accident. The following statement is from the Reading Democratic Press :

Four men Killed! We are called upon to record one of the most frightful accidents that ever occurred on this road. The boiler of the engine burst last night at 9 o'clock, about two miles from Reading, instantly killing Joseph Ward, Engineer, James M'Cabe, Conductor, Frank Tye and Peter Mahan, Fireman, whose lifeless bodies were found several hours after, in a frightful state of mutilation in a field near by, in which lay also the boiler, which had been torn from the wheels with irresistible force, and hurled from the bed and wheels of the engine, which were entirely demolished.

The watch in Mr. Mc'Cabe's pocket, was found to have stopped at 20 minutes after nine, and from this circumstance the accident must have occurred at that time last night. At the time of the accident the train was under full headway, and the explosion must have been as instantaneous as it was fatal.—It was raining in abundance, and vivid flashes of lightning were playing in the heavens, and it was supposed that a heavy bolt of electricity struck the engine. It must have been caused by lightning, as all circumstances prove that to no other cause can it be attributed.

The mangled bodies of the slain were brought to town last night, and exhibited frightful evidence of the combined power of steam and electricity, and its effects upon the engine, named 'Richmond' destroying her completely, tearing every joint asunder, and scattering the men and fragments in all directions.