NEWS: The Alleghanian; 29 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, 29 Sep 1864 Volume 6, Number 1 Local Correspondence Johnstown, September 25, 1864 A sad accident occurred last week to a son of Rev. A. C. Ahrenfeldts of this place. He was engaged in oiling the machinery connected with the rolls, at the Mill, and lying down in the vicinity of the fly-wheel to oil a journal his legs were caught in the monster wheel and one of them crushed in such a manner as to necessitate amputation of the knee. Hopes are entertained of his recovery. A man named Rively was killed by a freight train about three miles east of this place last week. He had gone back to flag an approaching train and sitting down on the track, was overcome by sleep. The next train ran over him. This brakeman had worked out his notice to quit, and was running his last trip when he lost his life. Another brakeman, named Luther, from Carroll township, this county, was killed at the east end of the tunnel while making his first trip. The accident was caused by a couple of stock cars running off the track by which a number of beef cattle were also killed. It has been ascertained that Mrs. Keelan of this place and her four children, were consumed in the terrible accident which occurred at Thompsontown a few days since. She was on her way east to rejoin her husband who had left here some time since. It was a most heart sickening occurrence. Today the new Catholic church was dedicated and it was the occasion of one of the most imposing ceremonies ever witnessed in our city. Bishop Domenec of Pittsburg, assisted by nine Priests, dedicated the building to the service of Almighty God, after which the grand and solemn Pontifical High Mass was celebrated. The music was under the leadership of Miss Maguire, assisted by the Misses Crouse and was most admirably rendered. Rev. Pollard, formerly of Loretto, this county, preached the dedication sermon, and the Right Rev. Bishop preached at Vespers. Fully 2,000 persons witnessed the interesting ceremonies. Universal praise is awarded to the designers and builders of this noble edifice. It will be an ornament not only to the growing prosperity of our town, but also to the religious sprit of the congregation. Too much praise cannot be awarded to Rev. P. M. Garvey, pastor, and Messrs. Easly and Crouse, contractors, for the interest they have manifested in pushing forward the work to an early completion. Two brave soldiers, belonging to the 12th Cavalry who were shot at Charleston, Va., in a recent cavalry charge, and supposed to be killed have failed to heretofore receive a notice. Alexander Long, formerly a clerk in the company's store of this place, was shot in the head and was sent to a hospital, but has not since been heard of. It is thought he died on the road and was buried in an unknown grave. He was known here as a brave, generous young man and his loss will be felt by his many friends. Sergt. Cramer was at the same time shot through the bowels and as the wound was mortal, it is generally believed by his regiment that he is now no more. Brave boys! They should not go down to their honored graves unknown. In Town Lieut. J. Nix Kinkead, of Co. M, 12th Penna. Cavalry, has been in town for several days on a visit. He is looking well as usual and bears himself as becomes a soldier. Our Schools The Ebensburg borough schools opened on Monday with a fair attendance. The following are the teachers employed: Room No. 1: D. B. Mahan; 2: James Oatman; 3: Miss Libbie Roberts; 4: Mrs. Clark. The Draft for Jackson Twp. The list of drafted man on our outside today, thanks to an imperfect copy is incomplete so far as refers to Jackson township Forty names were drawn from the wheel for that township, whereas only twenty-four appear in the list. The following are the missing names: Augustus Link James Runt Samuel Burkhart John H. Good A. Findley William Gillan Jonathan Custer William Brown George Sell H. Burkhart S. Dunmire S. Snyder William Dodson Samuel Clark George Varner Samuel Leidy Resistance to the Draft One day last week while Dr. G. W. Strohecker of Chess (sic) Springs was engaged notifying the drafted men of Clearfield township, this county, to report for examination at Provost Marshal headquarters, his horse was shot from under him by some miscreant unknown. The time was after nightfall and the place a dark woods and it is not certain that the bullet that killed the horse was not intended for the Doctor. This act is most criminal and outrageous. Many people may be and no doubt are bitterly opposed to the system of conscription but that system under the present condition of affairs is necessary and a law, and no one can resist its enforcement without rendering himself amenable to very severe penalties. Especially is it most senseless in him who is opposed to the system to manifest his disapprobation of the same by assaulting a mere executor of the law. Better assault the law makers or Gen. George B. M'Clellan who has the honor of first suggesting the draft as a measure necessary to the filling up of our armies. This outbreak is the legitimate result of the teachings of such papers as the DEM. & SENT. and Johnstown DEMOCRAT. It were wise in these to call off their dogs, for nothing has ever been gained and nothing will be gained in an attempt of illy advised men to measure mere physical strength with the Government. Railroad Accident The most heartrending railroad accident we ever remember to have read about occurred on the Pennsylvania railroad at Thompsontown, eleven miles east of Mifflin on the 21st. The Fast Line east while going at full speed ran into a coal train which through inexcusable negligence of the engineer had been left standing on the track, shivering both trains to fragments and scattering their contents in every direction. The passenger cars were full of people and very many of these were crushed to death and maimed by the collision. But - most horrible of all - the wreck had hardly occurred when fire broke out among the debris and soon enveloped the holocaust of dead, dying and mangled human beings in its dreadful pall. It is not known how many persons miserably perished in the flames, but the number is estimated at twenty to thirty. Certain it is that that the destruction of human life is enough to make the blood run cold at the bare recital. The conductor, Mullison, and the first brakesman, Emory, were among the victims. To aggravate the horrors of the situation, when the flames broke out, the doors of the cars were discovered to be locked and thus the escape of the poor passengers was practically cut off. A memorial of the survivors was drawn up, protesting in the name of common humanity against this practice of locking the doors of the cars and attributing to it the loss of many valuable lives that otherwise would have been saved. May we never read of such another catastrophe.