The New York herald., 1870-02-08
THE HARLEM DEPOT TRAGEDY

The Fatal Casualty 10 Nr. Pcyser-Cor.
oncr's Investigation.
The investigation III the case OF Mr.. Morris n, ,
Peyser, late merchant IN Boston. who was crushed
TO DEATH on Wednesday morning last at the Twenty.
seventh street depot OF the New Haven railroad by
being caught between the gate post and car
which was passing into the yaro, was commenced
before Coroner Keenan,, at the City Hall, yesterday
morning. Two brothers and other relatives OF de.
ceased were present and watched the proceedings
with much interest. tney believing there was gross
carelessness on the part OF the railroad company.
Deceased had his life insured In several
companies for large amounts. Below viii be
found synopsis OF the evidence adduced.
John Morrison, OF I55 East Forty-first street, de-
posed that on the morning of the accident ne was
standing In the yard OF the Harlem Railroad and
saw New Haven car come in drawn by two horses:
heard scream, ana looking around saw deceased
rolling against the gate between the gate and post,
ana then he fell In sitting position; the watchman
Of the Harlem Railroad and myself ran towards de.
ceased, ana then an ofilcer came: heard no alarm
gwen beiore deceased was crushed; 1T was quite
dark at The time.
David Jones, OF No. $40 East Thirteenth street
dep0sed that ne was at the Harlem Railroad depot
~ the time Mr.. Peyser was injured; witness was
standing on the platform to get out OF the way Of
the owl train. which was tnen coming into the
yard; IN moment, after reaching tie platform, the
witness heard some one excaini az II injured aud
looking around, saw q dark object drop between
LIE car and the gate post; ran up anu saw
deceased and heard he had been killed; deceased
was taken into the sitting room OF the New Haven
depot; after the accident there difference OF
opinion as 10 Whetner Lle deceased should Da taken
10 Bellevue Hospital or TO the station house.
Hugh OConnor, switchman IN the employ OF the
Harlem Railroad Company, deposei that he saw
three men pass into toe yard; one OF them stopped
IN lrotn OF the gate; signaled to them Two or
three times 10 get out or the way. as New Haven
car was about passing into inc yard; they did not
move the witness then attem pted 10 in front
the horses, but they cut Eim on The witness then
Stopped and, looking unoer the car, deceased's
legs rollng around and saw him fall at The end OF
tue yard; one Oh The three men said ne neard the
Witness give an alarm, but did not know what he
meant.
Theodore Castles an officer OF the Twenty ninth
DrecncI was at Tw enty sixth street and Fourth
nue. az the time or the accident, and running up saw
taat deceased was badly injured; raped Tor assist
ance and other officers coming up witness ran to the
station house ana reported 10 the sergeant In COM
Mand was told to bring him 20 the station house
Jhen took the remains TO the station house; doctor
was called 10 attend upon deceased and, according
to tie testimony, at least twenty minutes elapsed
from the time or the accident ull the oodY was re-
moved, no effort being made 10 save MS life. MANY
think the police officers IN attendance remiss In
their duty inasmuch as they took no prompt action
30 relieve Mr. Peyser's snnerings the spot or
move him TO place where he Could receive medical
treatment
In order TO procure The attendance OF tho two gen.
Nelnen with deceased AZ the tme OF the occurrence
the further Investigation Of the Adjourned
till Monday next.