08/08/2026
On this Day in Derry History ~ August 7, 1897
circa. 1897 ~ The Tragic Accident on the Old Wooden Derry Bridge.
It Happened 5:30 PM. Saturday, August 7, 1897
Fatal Accident ~ Derry Station was the scene Saturday afternoon of a horrible fatality in which a father and daughter met an awful death. Mr. Hamilton Smith, one of the most respected citizens of the Ligonier Valley, had come to Derry to visit his daughter, Miss. Georgia, who was in business there as a milliner and dressmaker. In the afternoon he took her out driving with his horse and buggy, and when they were crossing the bridge that spans the railroad tracks on their way to the north side of the town a passenger train came thundering along beneath them and frightened the horse. The maddened animal started off on a plunging gallop, and before his driver could control him, he had reached the north end of the bridge where it turns abruptly to the left, and by a gentle decline leads to the street. At this point the animal, instead of following the course of the bridge, made a mad plunge over the side railing and dragged the buggy and occupants with him in a wild plunge to the ground, almost 40 feet below. Mr. Smith and daughter and the horse were instantly killed, and the buggy was smashed into bits like kindling wood. Mr. Smith was about sixty years of age and his daughter about twenty-seven. Both of them had many friends in the neighborhood where they lived, and the awful accident has cast a pall over the whole neighborhood.
Image: AI Generated from an actual photo of Derry Bridge.
Source:
The Indiana Weekly Messenger ~ August 11, 1897
Blairsville Daily Courier ~ August 9, 1897
Below, A More Detailed and Graphic Account:
Source:
The Ligonier Echo, August 11, 1897
A TRAGIC DEATH.
Hamilton Smith and Daughter, Georgia, Killed.
HURLED THROUGH THE AIR
Runaway Horse Plunges Over the Overhead Bridge at Derry Station.
Both Meet Instant Death -A Sad Funeral.
It is with profound sorrow that we are called upon to chronicle the sad and tragic death of Hamilton Smith, Ligonier Township, and his daughter, Georgia, of Derry station.
Mr. Smith left Ligonier for Derry last Saturday about noon, driving his horse in a buggy, to visit his daughter, Miss. Georgia, who, with her sister Blanch, kept a millinery store in that place. He arrived in Derry some time in the afternoon, and about five o'clock in the evening started with Georgia to take a drive. As were crossing the overhead bridge the south to the north side of the P.R.R. at 5:30, the time of the eastern express which passed under the bridge at moment, the horse became terribly frightened and unmanageable and dashed forward and unable to make the turn, dashed through the iron railing dividing foot path from the driveway and plunged against the wooden railing on the outer edge of the bridge approach about twenty below the turn, breaking it down at a point about 30 feet above the street. The horse and buggy fell to the ground instantly killing the horse and breaking one wheel off the buggy, the shafts, and otherwise injuring it. The great momentum hurled the occupants with fearful velocity out over the bridge to the street below where they were dashed instantly to death. Both struck the ground their heads. and their skulls were crushed causing instant death, besides Mr. Smith had a leg broken and Miss Smith both legs and an arm broken.
Mr. Smith was aged about 62 years being born in 1835,.and his daughter, Georgia, was aged about 30 years.
The bodies were prepared for burial by undertaker Fisher, of Derry, and after short service at the home of Miss Smith in Derry, Sunday afternoon, were brought to Ligonier and taken to Mr. Smith's late home, near town, by C. A. Lowry, undertaker, Sunday evening, from where funeral took place Monday afternoon. The services were conducted by Rev, W. F. Hunter, pastor of the M. E. church, of town, of which Mr. Smith has been a constant member for many years assisted by Rev. J. N. McCoy, pastor of the Presbyterian church, and Rev. J. L. Smith, D.D., of E.E. Lutheran church, Pittsburg.
Miss Smith was a member of the Derry Presbyterian church. Interment took place in Valley cemetery. The funeral was attended by about 500 sympathizing friends and neighbors.
Mr. Smith moved to the valley in 1859 and bought the farm just south of town which he sold about 15 years ago to R. S. Kuhn, who recently suicided. He married Miss Louisa Truxall in 1860. His first wife died while they lived on the farm, 17 years ago, August 12th, being the second person interred in the Valley cemetery. He moved to town with his family, engaging in the mercantile business and other pursuits, afterward marrying as his second wife in 1883, Miss Amanda Boucher, a sister J. N. Boucher, Esq., and daughter Hiram Boucher. He then moved to old Boucher farm where he lived until his death. Two sons. Elmer and Lewis and three daughters, Clara, Ida and Blanch, survive him, also his second wife.
He was well known throughout valley and of present address, a republican in politics, and held a number of offices. He will be missed by people this community.
Georgia formerly taught school in Ligonier, afterward in Derry, but of late years she has conducted a millinery store in the latter place. It was a sad ending of two lives which casts a gloom over community.
