New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-08-31


locomotive; Yet tho 10 o'clock train from Philadel-
phis about ~ milee from New Brunswick; vas be-
hind time VJou 20 minutes; the delay was on me ON
er END, ID mean the New-Jersey end; hooked on :,
BoTceD own; when i the 10 O'Clock tram up
stoppr q or nearly so; was about half mile OIL ffon
ben stopped; thsttran stopped and started oackl
a,sd followed them along down at the rate oil aoout
20 miles hour; the grade was nearly level wheie
met them sLd where they on the track and ths
side Of there it is receding; my train was about hsn
mile OF when they Off they were backing lust as
fast ss was coming on; did not blow my whistle be-
fore saw them; when was coming up toward then
blowed the whistle twice; could not have hoard the
other whistle If Adams had blown III could not from
the platform of my ems inc see the brake up OF the
other train on account of the dust after they stopped
stopped; after found out the accident my tram re-
turned to Bordcn'own in about half an hour.
O. by JuI ors-l left BOrdentown about minutes
before IL O'Clock the train was behind tune; was
runnif about 30 ics an hour when saw tue o'her
train; rnn about 20 miles hour when followed up
The backing tr sin; il is customary to keep good
lookout when they running 20 mics an horl onck
ward the brakeman the hind end of tetain keeps
a lookout, and the fireman looks out on one slde OF
the train when running backward; the dowa tram
never waits the up train have particular way of
Judging OF tie speed, but can calculate very near
was not forcing the other train, but " "a following ~
the down train connects with the Baltimore hne OF
railroads which gives il the right of way it connects
with this line at Philadelphia had no fears OF col
heion when saw the up-coming train, nor do think
the other engineer had; do not consider II great
risk in running train at 80 rapid rate backward on
straig ht track; the object IN running Ddck az thdt
speed is TO gain time.
On notion, the brakemen on the o'clock train
were discharged the Jury not deeming their evidence
Of importance in throwing light upon this matter
Robert s. Van Rensselaer, sworn-l reside III Bor-
dentowD; ] am Superintendent of the Camden and
Amboy Railroad; the duties of that office embra
general supervision Of the road il is my duty TO know
that the time tables properly prepared and have
the arranging Of them; have timetable with
which was exhibited; these tables issued TO the
conductors and engineers OF the train, all of the sta
ton-aeens along the road switch-eDders and all men
having charge OF repairs OF the track this timetable
took effect the 2Oh of August, 1855 by that time
table the 10 O'Clock A. NJ train is to leave Burlington
at 1882 provided the o'clock train that leaves New
York has arrived here in it has not arrived here,
the 10 o'clock up.ran waits 10 minutes; IN the event
of nOn.airval in 10 mil utee both shall proceed with
the utmost caution man shall be sent ahead with
red flag by daytime and red light by night around
curves; there was curve here requiring this precau-
ton; the oclock train has the right OF way III coase-
uuence of connecting with the southern route; we
think by giving one line the right of way that it pre-
vents confusion and occasional delays with the
other of the trains the Hamonds switch Is about "a
miles from BurDgtOn the tun outs or switches vary
from 200 TO 200 feet the turn out at HamOnds Is long
enough TO take either oftbese trains my impression
is that diamonds turn out is not open; 1t in posi-
ton of the road where it is not much used the trains
not meeting there
BY Juror-By the best information can get the
engineers were not violating any of the rules.
Regular Tostmony-I do not know any thing against
the npneers TO s0briety their characters stand
good / consider them skilful, frs-class mel; turn
outs Objectionable and considered not altogether
safe, and accordingly as few as possible are used
believe the switches at Hamonds are locked and
spiked up; no fagman is stationed there II there is
COLLISION consider there Is no danger IN backing
fast on a straight road from Hanonds switches
down 10 the Mount Holly Road the track ls straight
and ascending from BurlingtOn the ascending grade
commences near the Mount Holly Railroad; cannot
say positively how far the ascent continues 90 not
know what the grace is.
O. by Mr. Hall, juror wish TO ask if in your
opinion, if there had been double track, this acc-
dent would not have been avoided
AIR. Van Rensselaer, did not feel prepared to an
swer question, but after reflection said: For that
{" train ii would"
Isaac Nostrand conductor of the train, sworn-I re-
eide at + hiledelpha an conductor. employed by
the Camden and AmbOy Railroad Company; have
been in their employ six or years; had charge
of the 10 o'clock morning train from Philadelphia on
the goth day of August inst arrived at Burlington at
10 O'Clock 81 minutes, and lett at not quite IL ocock
and J minutes; | went into the telegraph office to
ascertain they had heard from the down train, and
learned they arrived in BOrdentown at 10 o'clock and
so minutes came in sight OF that train, l suppose,
in the neghboIhood OF three miles out OF Burlington
the only way could Judge of the distance we were
running on; looked at my watch when Adams, the
Fl gineer on my line gave the signal TO brake no; 1t
was minutes alter IL O'Clock; the brakes were ap-
piled the signal the train was stopped; one blow OF
back by three short Whistles; we then proceeded
backward; at this time on the platform between
the mail and passenger cars the train rue back about
two miles before We whistlcd; did not take out my
watch at the time of the collisions part of the
way running backward 10 to 30 miles an
hour have the general supervision of the train from
the moment il starts until il arrives at New-Bruns-
wick and there another conductor takes it; when
left burlington the signa-rope attached to the
bell which is attached on the engine near the Ensi-
neCrs head.
@. by Juror-Was the hndmost brakeman in
position that lie would have seen the carriage
Ale was in his position when we left Burlington;
co not think he could have seen the wagon in time
TO prevent the collision.
REGULAR TESTIMONY.
The forward brakeman at his post when we
left Burlington; | was the right hand side OF the
while going and backing up; did not see the wagon
until after the colision was in the best position to
see the track presume the cars were thrown on tue
track by coming in collision with the horses and
wagon; heard the whistle before we reached the
crossing were backing up, but did not know
what il was for not knowing that road was the ei
il was the first time had had occasion TO stop on
that side Of the Mount Holly track my attention was
turned to see how near the train was that coming
toward u.s. and at that instant felt the jar and knew
something Tie matter, and attempted to reach the
rope the roofs Of the project the Platforms
before l could get hold of the rope the roof
came together within half an inch, and l could
not do anything; j believe these persons now dead
came TO their death by the train coming Ill COLLISION
with pair of horses across the track there were six
fist class passengerears and mail or smokng-cari
there were FIVE Fix first passenger cars brok M we
had extra pGsseDgoTcar attached to the res that
morning, but passengers were in it, the first pas
senger ear remained on the tTdck; had examined the
tickets coming up, there three letters Sold "A
b" and "C;" recollect the car in which Mr. Striker
was but DO not reoOlect its position af or the collision
Q.-Wbefe did you expect to meet the next train
Al expected 10 meet it at Florence.
Q-Do you think had there been two tracks the ca
l6uity would have occurred