NEWS: The Alleghanian; 15 Sep 1864; Ebensburg, Cambria Cnty., PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ The Alleghanian Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, 15 Sep 1864 Volume 5, Number 51 Local Correspondence Johnstown, September 11, 1864 A terrible railroad accident occurred near Beatty's Station, Westmoreland county, last week. The boiler of engine No. 273 exploded, killing the engineer, Chas. Gahigan, of this place; J. Jones, fireman and William Walters, conductor, both I believe of Pittsburg. Some 500 sheep were also killed by the wreck of the cars. Mr. Gahigan was a very worthy young man. He had served in the three and nine months service and had been promoted to engineer but a few days before this sad occurrence. Some defect in the machinery of the engine is supposed to have been the cause of the explosion. The remains of the deceased were brought to this place and interred today. Among late departures from our town, I note that of Andy Munson, late iron dispatcher of the Mill, and James Quinn, erstwhile military recruiting agent for Cambria county. The former is now employed as military telegrapher at Broadway Landing on the James river while the latter holds the position of clerk with the Purveyor at Grant's Headquarters. They are both deserving young men and will adorn any position they are called upon to fill. Capt. Morgan M'Donald and Sergt. Herd departed to rejoin their regiment on Thursday last. The Capt. will not be fit for active service for some time. The veteran furloughed soldiers of the 54th P. V. left here for the field again on Friday last. A large number of them donned the hymeneal yoke during the brief stay in town thus furnishing a double incentive to bring this "cruel war" to a close as soon as possible. Among the marriages was that of Capt. John Suter of Co. A, 54th P. V. to Miss Emma A. Vickroy of this place. May happiness be theirs always. The pic-nic for the benefit of the new Catholic Church came off as per announcement on Saturday. The weather was very threatening but the attendance was large. While I am on this subject, I may state that the church is to be dedicated on Sunday, 25th inst. The Bishop of the diocese and fifteen priests have signified their intention of being present. Tickets of admission will be 50 cents and strangers are invited to be present, with the assurance that the best seats will be secured for them. As this is without question the finest church in the diocese (outside of the city) it were well worth a visit to Johnstown to see it, and at the same time witness the impressive ceremonies attached to dedicating a Catholic church to the service of the Almighty. From Our Soldiers Letter from Capt. Litzinger's Company Camp Curtin, Harrisburg September 11, 1864 On Friday night, THE ALLEGHANIAN was received and attained a high degree of importance and interest. It contained the news "from home," and hence was eagerly sought for, eagerly read and eagerly listened to by the boys. We are still unorganized and unfilled though we have been assigned to the 209th regiment, Col. Kauffman. We got some seven recruits in Harrisburg who were mustered into service on Saturday morning and paid their local bounty, six of whom deserted under cover of night, robbing the seventh who is still with us, of some four hundred dollars before leaving. It is hardly probable that we will leave here before the latter end of the week if so soon as that. The boys are all in moderate health, though some few complain somewhat. We have had a surfeit of rain since coming here. The other night your correspondent suddenly found himself absolutely surrounded by the watery fluid and of course had to execute a sudden "change of base." [Signed] Gamma Our Schools The Union schools of this borough will open for an eight-months term on Monday, 26th inst. Prof. D. B. Mahon of Westmoreland county is employed as principal. The three assistant teachers will be selected on Saturday next. War News John Morgan, the rebel thief, was killed by a Union bullet a few days ago.