The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-15
FATAL ACCIDENT on THE HUDSON RIVER
RAILROAD.
Three Persons Struck by q Railway Train
One Killed and Two Seriously Injured
COrOnerss Inquest and Verdict of the Jury.

Three Persons Strack by q Railway Train
One Killed and Two Seriously Injured
Coroner's Inquest and Verdict of the Jury.
PoUGHKEEPsIE Dec. IA, 1858.
sad accident occurred on the Hudson River
Railroad, between here and New Hamburg, Sunday
afternoon, soon after three O'Clock. At about that
time two women and little girl, named respectively
Mary Van Nosdall. Catharine McNulty and Minnie
Bodden, were walking on the railroad track, passing
through Van Rensselaer's rock cut, en- route for
farmhouse a short distance further south They
observed the regular through freight train coming
north and stepped from the up track to
the down track for safety. Just as the
train passed them they heard the shrill
whistle OF locomotive and supposed 1t was the one
which had passed them going north. In this. how
ever they were fatally mistaken, as 1t was danger
signal from the locomotive Union, attached to the
down passenger train. which left here at three p.
M. On came the train, they not needing 1t in the
least, but were laughing and chatting gayly. The
engineer blew his whistle continually, shut OF steam
and applied the patent brakes but 1t was too late.
The cowzatcner struck all three simultaneously. the
engineer gazing with horror upon the fearful
scene. The little CIR, Minnie Bodden, VINO Is only
seven years OF age, was whirled in the air and
the track insensible. Catharine McNulty. eigh-
teen years OF age, was thrown TO the east side
OF ,, the track while Mrs Van Nosdal, who was the
vile OF fagman aged twenty-five years, was
knocked ahead Of the train, falling In the centre OF
the track, the locomotive and three four OF the
cars running over her, crushing and tearing her
body to pieces.
When the train was backed up to the scene the
sight was indeed q hard one. The first to take up
the little girl was John Engler, the skater He took
tue Little SUFFERER in s arms and carried her to the
car Miss McNulty was also placed In the car, when
the feless and mutilated remains Of Mrs. Van Nos
dan were dragged from beneath the cars. the train
proceeding to New Hamburg. Reaching there the
dead body was laid the station. The little girl
was taken to the house OF Mr.. HOFFMAN and Miss
McNulty was carried to the dwelling OF Mrs. Rachel
Lawson.
AT ak r. NJ Coroner vandewater OF Mntteawan,
arrived and after summ0ning jury held an inquest
on the remains OF the female killed the Jury return
ing verdict OF accidental death"
The husband or the unfortunate woman was frantic
attend to the details OF laying out the body of his
wife, getting coffin, &c. The station agent Mr.
Dearin, and q few OF the kind hearted villagers
removed the remains OF the dead wife to an humble
cot near by, where they were properly cared for.
Minnie BOdden las many severe cuts about the
head and face. and her body Ia also terribly bruised
II 10 thought that she Is hurt inwardy, as she con-
tnually complains OF pain in her breast DIR. Baxter
who attends the sufferers In doubt about her
very Miss McNulty's injuries are also severe. Her
are also terribly lacerated. She too complains Of
severe bodily injury; but IL Is thought she will
cover. Neither Miss McNulty nor the little girl had
any bones broken "Minniev was taken to her
home, at Milton Ferry, this morning, by her father
and mother. John Van N0sdall the 1agman, was
on handcar with another man going towards the
accident, 1t having been reported that tram had
run or the track. The first that he knew that his
wife was killed was when he saw the blood upon the
track, and then bystander related the afYar to
Hamburg He ls poor, but worthy man and has
the sympathy or every one.