The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-18
The Late Railroad Accidents.
YNP0RTAECE OF SIGNALS ON TIE LINES.


HUDSON, Jan. IA, 1855
Comfortably seated in Hudson River Rsilro0d car,
and travelling at speed that dninishinx the dis
lance between homo and myself at the rate OF fortv
miles per hour, became the unwilling stsnsr to econ
versaton between two passengers In the adjoining seat
"Have you seen the account in this uornipgs HEAD
Of those two fatal railroad accidents 20
"No; where did they occurf"
"why, . man was found dead yesterday upon the
COW. catcher Of the Harlem road; and German woman
and two children we're run down by Hudson River
train last night"
"Horrible these railroad companies are getting too.
abominably careless They should be made to suffer &C.
verely for such reckleSness." 81
This was the prompt and thoughtless decision Of two
apparently intelligent men, and doubt not that many
thousand Others just unthinking as they win echo
that decson and thus the ~helmng weight Of pub
lie opinion will render another verdict Of murder sganst
soullsss corporations" " The conductor should be
watchful'-" The engineer should have stopped.
the train" So he would had the darkness Of night per-
mitted him to that poor lone smgrant mother and
her two little Ones hurryng unconscious OF danger
thinking only Of joyous m citing with long parted
For once jurymen who tolerate no appeal from your
decisions render just and righteous verdict, acqutng
the innocent and give your indignation vent upon the
ealy guilty who directed this stranger Ignorant Of
our laws and the attendant pers to travel upon the
track Of railroad Some one did It, and your seeples
The above conversation ELECTED from another source
some facts relative to railroad travelling, which will
ngy lay before your readers believing that their
mitigation will result in good to the public generally.
The Hudson River karead has been in operation over
five years. their average rate of speed greater than
any other road in the United States at least
eight millions OF persons have travelled over this route
and yet accident has occurred by which the lie OF
Q single passenger has been sacrfced-trans going In
opposite directions have in collision and
few fatal have been confined 70 employees and
fortunate needless trespasses the track lake into
considerable the fact that this is new road, the
chinery and many Of the unted and the greatest
credit will be awarded to those who control its
ment feature Of which Is deserving special atten-
ton, viz their telegrsphic Gag SYSTEM which extends
the entire length Of the road and is visible from all
points, at every and station and In sight Of each
other from New York to Albany pla watchmen,
with hags and lanterns to signal the train it
back. Others employed to walk certain por-
tons Of the road before the arrival OF trains to keep the
track clear Of falling rocks, &c.
This system has doubtless saved many valuable lives
and much property for the company; i. also gives en-
ployment to large number Of men, economical in the
end and affords the greatest security to the traveller
The next railroad convention should give this subject
due consideration, to it's adoption upon all
roads in the United States. AMIGO.