Accident to S. S. L’Hommedieu, Esq.
Just as the last train was leaving for Cincinnati, an accident occurred which had well nigh proved fatal to S. S. L’Hommedieu, Esq., the efficient President of the road now opened. The “Red Artillery” of Cincinnati occupied the last car of the train, and were firing their small gun as the train started. The muzzle of the piece was elevated, the charge poured in, but luckily was not wadded. The piece was depressed till about within range of the heads of the spectators, and was fired in the midst of a hundred persons standing by. Mr. L’Hommedieu was passing within a few feet of and directly in front of the cannon’s mouth, as the match was applied. The principal part of the charge struck his hat, but a part entered his face. He was prostrated by the concussion, but was soon upon his feet again. He was immediately taken in a buggy to the residence of E. W. Davies, Esq., and after a night of quiet and repose was enabled to be about this morning. His eyes are much inflamed, so that they cannot hear the light, and his face is filled with powder. He left for Cincinnati in the train this morning. We hope soon to hear of his entire recovery.
Program for the opening
PROGRAMME
OF THE
RAIL ROAD OPENING
AT DAYTON,
SEPTEMBER 18, 1851.
The Dayton Artillery Squad will meet at Phillips’ Station, 15 minutes before 6 o’clock A. M. and fire 10 rounds.
The squad will leave Dayton at 7 o’clock in company with citizens of Dayton and other guests with the Saxe Horn Band, for Hamilton. The Squad will fire five guns at each town the train passes.
On arriving in Hamilton, the Artillery Squad will fire 10 rounds, and after reaching Hamilton they will be governed by the arrangements at that place.
The order of firing after leaving Hamilton for Dayton, will be announced to the different Artillery Squads before the trains depart from Hamilton.
The Dayton Artillery Squad in the first train of cars on arriving at the west end of the Miami Bridge will halt until the arrival of the other trains, firing during the intervals and on the arrival of the other trains. The Squad will then fire 10 rounds alternately with the “Red Artillery of Cincinnati.”
The first train will then advance and halt at Main street at which place the visitors with the Saxe Horn Band in front, will form in open order, facing north.
The Second train, with S. M. L’Hommedieu, Esq., President of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway, with the Mayors and corporate authorities of Cincinnati, Hamilton, Franklin, Middletown and Miamisburg, and Ministers of the Gospel will advance to the point above indicated.
J. D. Putnam, Esq., will receive President L’Hommedieu in an open carriage. J. Howard, Esq., Mayor of Dayton, will receive the Mayors of the places above named in an open carriage.
The carriages will form at the head of the procession.
The Ministers of the Gospel, and the Councils of the different cities and towns, followed by the U.S. Brass Band from Newport, Ky.,—the corporate authorities eight abreast.
The remainder of the visitors will then form in regular order.
The Cincinnati Band will take the centre of the line.
The Saxe Horn Band will bring up the rear.
While the line is formed the Bands will play, and the procession will move to the Court House, where the reception address will be delivered by James Howard, Esq., Mayor.
After the address and response, the Bands will play a national air; the procession will again form and proceed to the Depot Ground, where a collation will be provided.
By Order of the Committee of Arrangements,
JAMES GREER,
Grand Marshal.
Assistant Marshals.
J. McDANIEL,
C. L. VALLANDIGHAM
CAPT. M. B. WALKER
E. N. COMLY
Dayton’s Union Station of early days.