The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-24
RAILROAD SLAUGHTER
Terrible Disaster on the Long Island
Railroad, Near Jamaica.
Six Persons Killed and Eleven
Wounded.
scenes and Incidents Of the
Catastrophe.

sStAOPAAOs
The recent lul In railroad accidents was unhap.
PLY, not destined to be continued, for again comes
the startling record Of still another appalling calam
ity, once more r0using the community to q sense OF
danger, yet once more spreading grief and desola-
ton In many home. It was probably the most
fearful catastrophe that has ever occurred on the
Long Island Railroad certainly the most har-
rowing in its details, of which the follow
ing are full particulars:-The Northport morn
ing train, which left Hunters Point at
half-past ten O'Clock. and which was due at half.
past twelve, consisted Of an engine and tender,
baggage and two passenger cars. 1t reached ia
maica, L. L., five minutes behind time Proceeding
on its way to NOrthpor at the rate Of about twenty
miles an hour, everything appeared to run smoothly
Tor about mile and half beyond jamaica when
at place known as the Willow Station the last
car passed over broken rail, the foremost
truck was loosened, became embedded In
the ground and completely tore away the entire
bottom OF the car causing the instantaneous death
OF six persons and most serious Injuries to many
Others. The scene which ensued was fright
full, sickenng and heartrending. Unconscious
OF the direful event the driver proceeded
fully three hundred feet after the broken
rail had been passed, the truck all the
while tearing out the bottom planks Of
the cars. Por an instant-for some only an instant
human beings struggled in every posture. But the
yawning abyss was opened, and before some could
even think they were launched into eternity by the
most torturous means One was ground to death,
another had her head severed from her
body, while Others were mangled, gored
and deeply cut. The struggle for life
was terrible and the means and shrieks which rang
forth are described as being narrowing in the ex-
prin IN Tho draa drui fhn tod
car contained about thirty passengers very
few Of whom escaped without sustaining
some injury, for as the car moved over
the truck the aperture increased rapidly. giving
but little chance for selfpreservation When about
a hundred yards beyond the broken rail the engine
came to O stop, and then the awful sight disclosed
itself In all its horrors The forms Of human beings
were writing in torture, being completely rolled
up like ball. and others in most agonizing pastures.
1t was discovered that less than six persons had
been instantly killed. while others presented the ap-
pearance Of approaching dissolution.
THE SCENE
The intelligence Of the sad occurrence spread
like wlldlre, and rowds OF sympathizers imme-
diately rushed to the spot. For time those
most anxious to render assistance positively stood
itself Here and there, at short intervals, lay the
six dead and manged bodies, which but Few
WAS Ds soaked ', with blood While scattered about
in all directions were the brains and en-
trails OF those whose souls had taken their
flight. 1t was, indeed CHASTITY scene and
the appearance Of the long to be remembered
spot was well calculated to excite feelings OF the BIT
terest anguish. The wounded were promptly at
tended to by the several medical gentlemen called
into requisltion and were conveyed TO neighborlng
houses, whose inmates are said to have Deen unre-
hitting In their Kindness. The remains OF the de-
ceased were taken to Remsens Hotel, but were SUBJ
sequenty transferred to an undertakers establish
ment.
The cause ascribed was broken rail, but whether
frrnk
passing 1t has not transpired. The spot where
Inc occurrence took place was level stretch OF
land with an embankment on one side OF hve or six
ieet in height. IL is said that the track was re-
paired last september, new ties and new rails hav-
broke about four feet from the end and presented
the appearance OF clean fracture, without any ap-
psarance Of nav IL II Ine Theory s o. some ra sns
engine, which, with the tender, baggage and passen-
ger cars. passed over in SAFETY The last car.
producing the dreadful result already mentioned.
EXAMINATION OF THE TRACK.
Mr. II. A. Reeves representative OF the First Con-
gressonal district, who was an eye witness OF the
disaster made an examination Of the track az soon
as the excitement incident to the calamity had
somewhat abated. From his statement 1t appears
that the rail new one, ana comparatively little
used to all appearance me eheax Was c'eas one
were sound, and, according to Mr. Reeves opinion,
no human foresight could have prevented the acct
dent. Immediately after the catastrophe had &C.
Cured the intelligence was conveyed TO Hunters
Point, and Mr.. /. II. Barton superintendent Of the
to care for the wounded. The following are the
names OF
Mr.. william G. Rushmore, president OF the Atlantic
Bank, OF Brooklyn. This unfortunate gentleman
was terribly mangled. Nearly all the bones Of his
body were broken and he lay on tue track twisted
into an unshapely heap.
DIR. 0restes NJ. Pray and his mother, Matilda X.
Pray of BROOKLYN. the former the nephew and the
latter the sster-in-law OF Rir. Rushmore. The back
OF the lady's head was completely crushed IN, and
her brains were scattered upon the track. The lower
of her
patrick shannahan, the contractor who built the
Northport Branch Road, and who was, ut the time
of his DEATH the contractor for building the branch
road from Manor to sag Harbor, was also killed.
lie was bound TO Huntington and was to return
last night anu proceed to Manor to-day.
George Van Nostrand, OF FarmingdAie, brakeman
on the train and aged about thirty, Killed. tie lower
part Of his body being mashed INTO almost ielly.
A female child OF II: d. Adams was Killed by hav'
ing her skull crushed In.
THE WOUNDED.
Mr. Adams and his wife are both badly hurt, and
1t Is thought Mrs. Adams win not recover. she Is
badly hurt IN the head and back Injuries serious
Mrs. Held, OF Bleecker street, German, was Ike
wise badly injured and removed to Bellevue Hos
Mrs. william l. Irving and child, ofNew York, were
both cut in their heads but not seriously.
ChiId's injuries supposed 70 pe iasal so, Ma.
York and his wife ana son, were on the traln, and
were all badly hurt. Mrs. Magnus sustained four
compound fractures OF the lett leg anu tae chhos
John Byrne and George smith, Of New York, were
hurt, but not seriously, as ticy came on mere Inc
latter sustained an incsive wound on the forehead.
Edwin Van Groesbach OF No. "a Fourth street,
Hoboken, had severe commissions on the head, and
his brain supposed to be congested. II Ia thought
he will notsurvive He lies In q critical condition at
Remsen's Hotel, Jamaica.
Mrs. H. 4. Moore, OF 1S3 Franklin avenue, Brooklyn,
was not seriously hurt.
D. @. craig. accountant OF the Long Island freight
once, had his leg broken and Is badly cut In the
head. -
John White, OF Hunters Point conductor OF the
train was cut ON the head and received CONFUSION
on the neck, but Is not badly hurt. -
MIR. and Mrs. Grueman were on tne traln re,urning
from their wedding tour. The lady was hurt In
the arm and wrist, but not seriously. Mr..
Grueman was not hurt at ALL and u - owing 70 his
~ cIosa 10 the falling that both escaped 10
well ave a o0y VINO worked nC
received slight injury In the head None OF the