New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-18
TIE Fatal ACCIDENT OK THE HfRLEA
RAILROAD

The ipques on james Baird the engineer, and Michael
Clifford The fireman who killed on Monday G: Wai;
Rockville by tls engine tender and baggage car running
OF he track IA fall report Of which appeared in our yeser
day, sdtor Wa he'd yesterday morning by Mr. Samuel
W Hurd the Coroner for Wcsteheser County who arrived
frorn Peckskil Il mile distant, the night previous
Afer the Jury we're sworn they proceeded to vie" the
bodice neither Of which pres ned much change from yes
ierIsy In the pockets of Mr. Baird they found silver
watch and 81 in money, AID in Ar. CAffOrdS pocket
two rigs silver watch 81 in notes and s2s 80 in gold
and silver Tie first witness examined was
John Knox station master who aid was coming from
q fregLthouse on Monday morning about II clock ani
sIw tie express train pass was looking at IL all at once
heard crash ard sew the smoke rsng from the enGn
Wn the emhsnk meD west eide OF track ran up A.
soon as could and the engine down the bank whore
il had run on the track and also James Baird the
engineer laying the cast side, on his back with BAR
Il iron across lin went Immediately to him he was
alive ard lived 80 minutes / saw the body AFTER
death hot bruises except about his face lid head
wien first Clifford the fireman four men were carr
him up the bank and crying FOR help the cmbaakmen
about ten twelve feet deep from the railway track dd
not hear either Of the men speak suppose the accident VI"
ceufed by the wheel breaking while on the track
ZoDo Iloyt. switchman sold About eve minutes past II
on Monday morning holding the signal deg that all
was right saw the train round the corner and did
not take my eye off III it passed. cav the train for
more than mile when it got opposite me heard an
ulusua noise and thought Mr.. Lyon thrOwed stick at
me the noise continuing ooke4 round 10 speak TO Mr.
Lyon, and the engine down TIE bark and hoard Mr.
Horton roy the engine was down the bank; looked TO
the Of the accident and opposite TO where was
standing several pieces of the hange OF the engine
wheel ay ing all together ont lie track Immediately start
&C or ard about hy feet further pieces Of the
other wheel on the other side - came 10 the engine
Jcmos Baird the bank laying on his back with ms
bt sd turned round and hi mouth fell of blood was the
first that got 10 him with assistance fetched him to
my house where be died about half an hour aiterwsrd
have offer timed the trains the quickest time ever saw
them going this part of the line was I'm i5s or about
g miles per hour the distance timed them 5800 600
feet than mile should guess they going, at
the time Of The accident about 80 miles per hour Cliff
ford being brought up the bank but did not know who
at the time he died tive minutes before Baird
Jcmos Horton, fret ht man on commission, said vas
5udpg the north eide Of the house when tho
the DIRT and smoke flying just above tho SWITCH
spoke and snd the engine had gone of the trock Jumped
RICH; OF the Platform and cav the engine baggage car
and tender lying the bank the two passenger
on the pretty well out Of sight the engine
stuDed bottom up, The driving wheels m turning very
fast; steam came out OF the engine all round saw the
fireman first lying side Of the engine with his head 10 tho
south was the fret mar that saw him. we took him up
the bank and laid hin down he did not speak but groaned
lie lay night opposite the entrance to the engine about
Reuben Hover saddle and harness maker residing in
the village of Whtlockyie, sod one of the frst
that saw Clifford after The accident; helped carry him
The TaiiWa y track did not hear him speak at all
supposed him 10 be dead but he did not die for half
hour aeTward looked down the track and them
carrying man into Mr. Hoytsi | Immediately went
down. end they ted me the Engineer James Baird
| helped raise him up he was then sitting on tho
floor heard him say, Ohmy poor family"
Hiram Whitney, Superintendent Of Repairs the road,
sworn said The engine that Of the track ia called
the Tempest; built by R'gers. hetobum x Co, OF
Paterson she has been running on tbs road over two
yea end considered 10 be good aud safe any
engine on the road
This being the whole Of the evidence tie Jury rendered
verdict OF Accidental Desih caused By the engine and
tender running of the ira L. hroug te uck wheel break
ing, but they could not lay blame 20 any
The inquest was held st he Kavan6h Hotel the
station and nmed ntey aft ,ls verdict was rendered the
bodies put board lie express train and brought to
THE City. Mr.. Baird Will be buried to-day in Cypress
Hill Cemetery
The Jury viewed the wreck which presented an ugly
spectacle lie truck il Lrst seen, turned bottom upward
with both wheels broken the engine lies in the posi-
ton, the tudor al smaSted up, while the baggage
car lies ts side he edge of the pond The damage
is estimated a. stout $4,000
Mr. Griffin The in ur passenger still keeps his bed at
the Kavanlh TiOiel. but he is much better. Mr. Lewiss
bruises were more painful yesitidsy than on Monday
The trains passed over the bridge at Harlem yester
day for the first ne 1t seems very solid, and is great
Improvement