Details of Railway Accidents in the Ottawa Area

1881, January 19 - St. Lawrence and Ottawa passenger train is derailed at Osgoode

Ottawa Times 20 January 1881 What might have proved to be a very serious accident occurred on the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Railway yesterday morning shortly after six o'clock about a mile south of Osgoode.  At this point, a portion of the morning train, due here at six o'clock, consisting of the first and the second class coaches and the Pullman, jumped the track, owing to a broken rail, the cars being thrown into a ditch.  There were quite a number of passengers on the train among whom were -- Fortunately but very few persons were injured and their wounds were dressed by the medical gentlemen mentioned.   When the report of the accident reached the city, Mr. A.G. Peden, Superintendent of he company, ordered a special train to proceed to the scene of the accident for the purpose of bringing the passengrs to the city.  Dr. Brouse and Hon. John Carling accompanied Mr. Peden on the special train, the former taking with him the necessary material for the relief of the injured passengers, who arrived here shortly after 9 o'clock. MIRACULOUS ESCAPE The passengers on the overturned cars has a most miraculous escape, an entrance having to be forced to afford them egress.  Had the cas taken fire it is impossible to say what the result would have been, but it would undoubtedly have been attended with great loss of life. Kemptville Advance 21 January 1881 Railway Accident Miraculous Escape What might have proved a very serious accident occurred on the St, L. & O. Railway yesterday morning. Shortly after six o'clock, about a mile south of Osgoode. At this point a portion of the morning train due at Ottawa at 6 o'clock, consisting of the first and second class coaches and the Pullman junped the track, owing to a broken rail, the cars being thrown into a ditch. There were quite a number of passengers on the train, among whom were Mrs, Aexander Mackenzie, the Misses Carling of Toronto, Ont.; Miss Fellowes, of Ottawa; Mrs. Von Koeber, of Coburg; Mr. F. Shanly, of Toronto; Mr. Wendtt, of New York; Dr. Carniff, of Toronto, and Dr. Phelan, of Kingston. Fortunately but very few persons were injured by the accident, and their wounds were dressed by the two medical gentlemen mentoned, who were passengers on the train. Miss Fellowes, who klives on Gloucester street, and Mr. Wendtt were most seriously hurt, she receiving a severe scalp would, which Dr. Phelan stitched. Mrs. Von Koerber and Mr. F. Shanley [sic] had their wrists painfully injured, whilst several others, including Dr. Phelan and the Pullman porter, were slightly bruised. Mr. Wendtt was cut about the head. Mrs Mackenzie, the Misses Carling and the other passengers escaped without injury. When the report of the accident reached the city, Mr. M.A.G. Peden, superintendent of the company, ordered a special train to proceed to the scene of the accident, for the perpose [sic] of bringing the passengers t the city. Dr. Brouse and Hon. John Carling accompanied Mr. Peden on the special train, the former taking with him the necessary material for the relied of the injured passengers, who arrived here shortly after 9 o'clock. The passengers on the overturned cars had a most miraculous escape, an entrance having to be forced to afford them egress. Had the cars taken fire, it is impossible to say what the result would have been, but it would undoubtedly have been attended with great loss of life, - Citizen.

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Updated 18 January 2022