Alexandria Omnibus
The Louisville Daily Journal, 25 March 1867, page 1
ACCIDENT TO THE ALEXANDRIA OMNIBUS
The omnibus which runs between Newport and Alexandria met with a
very serious accident last Friday afternoon, by which one person was killed and
quite a number more or less injured. The particulars are as follows:
The omnibus left Newport about one o'clock in the afternoon with about fifteen passengers, including Senator R T Baker, radical candidate for Lieutenant Governor. At Petitt's school house ten or twelve children got in who were to be left at different points along the road between there and Alexandria. About half a mile beyond the school house and seven from Newport, is a long and steep hill, known as Dodsworth's Hill, and while the omnibus was going down this, one of the lead horses became fructions?? and while cavorting about broke his bit, which rendered him unmanageable and caused the other horses to become restive.
While the driver was attempting to quiet them the omnibus got off the road, which was quite narrow at this point and rolled down the steep embankment, a distance of about thirty feet. Two young men, named Samuel Rachford, son of Dr. H K Rachford, of Alexandria and George Shetbin, occupied seats on the top with the driver. Just as the omnibus began to turn over, young Rachford jumped off, but unfortunately did not jump far enough, and the vehicle rolled on him, killing him instantly. Young Shethin also leaped, but was considerably injured.
Mrs. Gauble, a German woman, from Cincinnati, was at first supposed to be killed, but she was finally restored to consciousness and found to be quite seriously injured. A son of Mr. John S Youtsey had an arm broken and his wrist put out of joint. Benjamin Beall, Clerk of the Campbell Circuit Court, was hurt in the back and Mrs. James smith, of Alexandria, very badly bruised and injured internally, it is fear. Nicholas Ensweiler, the driver was kicked by one of his horses and considerably injured.
Nearly all the school children and other passengers were bruised or scratched, Senator Baker being the only person, we believe, that escaped unharmed. The omnibus is said to be a complete wreck.