The New York herald., 1871-11-15

A Jersey City Horye Car, Fille>t with Passen-
gers, Demolished by PhiladslphA.s Train
Ten Persons Injured-1hrse Pas sn-
gers Carried Or by the Cow
catcher-Narrow Escapes

The most serious accident that has occurred FOR
many years on the railroad in Jersey City happened
last evening. II viii be seen on perusa OF tho
facts that the escape OF nc least a dozen persons
from instant death was almost miraculous; but the
collision was sufficiently disastrous TO create an
excitement In the city which viii not soon be for.
gotten. Many lives have been sacrificed at the
crossings, and numerous have been the escapes OF
horse cars at these places.
The Philadelphia tram which left the Jersey Otty
depot at ten minutes before seven O'Clock arrived
at the Newark avenue crossing just In time to catch
the Hudson City car No. /, which was on the up
trip. On account OF the severe storm then prevail
ing the car was so crowded that the
PASSENGERS WERE LITERALLY JAMMED TOGETHER.
The platforms were fllcd, leaving the driver JUST
room enough to control his brakes and the
conductor to pull his bell. The car stopped
on arriving near the crossing, as re-
quired by the CITY ordinance. train
should be coming either way the gate tenders
lower the gates so tnat person can pass. On this
occasion the gate was not lowered. and the driver
accordingly passed on. The horse car track crosses
tho railroad. not at right angles but at an acute
angie. 30 that while o driver can readily sec for
himself whether train be coming In. he cannot
so easily see train passing out especially If his
view be obstructed by a crowl OF passengers IN
either side. He had lust entered on the track,
however, when he heard the cry raised
"a TRAIN A TRAIN DRIVE oNp
Governed by the first impulse, he pulled up ana
stopped on the very middle OF the railroad and
tnen acting on rhe second thought, and taking In
the desperate situation at glance, ne struck his
horses, which made vigorous plunge forward.
The passengers neld on truttlng as had oiten been
the before, to the horses aud TO good luck 10
carry them out OF danger. But they were not all
In good luck this time. The car had so TAR passed
on that only the rear platform and an angle or the
body OF the car, comprising about ten persons,
were caught by the locomotive, which sackened not
engine ploughed through the platform and forced
the heagily-ladea Car or the track, spinning IT
cry Of anguish which arose this moment told that
many OF the passengers had tet the terrible reality.
They were thrown out In every direction and mo
and boy who were
by the force OF the collision. When the train was
stopped, a few blocks above the scene, these per-
sons were found clinging TO the cowcalchcr. They
terror stricken. Then commenced the melancholy
work of searching for
These were taken up and conveyed into the drug
stores near the place or into the office OF Justice
DAVIS or the Jersey CITY Market, or the houses or
other kind people who n0bly came to the rescue.
The nrst taken up was an old man named William
Samuel Blake, jcwellcr VINO works In New York,
was carried into tailoring establishment and laid
on table. The right side OF his skull was severely
fractured, and he sustained also injuries Of the
spine He was only semi conscious during tho
evening and had no recollection whatever Of the
collision.
woman was carried into Justice Davis oflce,
and Vas injured so severely that the physicians
have no hope OF her recovery. Besides severe
will probably prove fatal. She spoke only with
great dilrculty, and stated that her name was
resident OF Academy street, Bergen.
man named Murray, residing at So4 Wayne
joSn % M
avenue, had one OF his egt broken.
George Aldridge, nephew Of Justice Afdridge,
was severely cut on the head.
young Girl residing at 3s6 South Fifth street.
had her arm broken. she AMI her mother were
Mr. Wills, son-In.law OF DR.. Bradley, residing in
Jersey avenue, was cut aud bruised on tn. head.
| A man was carried 10 the City Hospital IN an In
| sensible condition from scalp wounds. He had no
been identified up to late hour. -,
The escape OF Mr. Eneas Fitzpatrick was lirtt
the car BY the 6rst shock Of the collision and wns
for q few moments unconscious. He then raised
Sns S%ss aoss as sFSaa Ts e
but he renamed In very nervous condition. for
several hours. @ -. He was sIghty bruised in several
werSs slightly w0hnded. Among the passengers who
escaped unhurt was ex- Alderman T0ncy.
DR.. Prendergast, County Physician, was promptly
hand, ana ATTENDED to the wants Of the sufferers,
The knights Of st. Patrick were holding meeting
at St. Peter Hall, and on hearing OF the accident
TO their president Mr.. tzpatrick, they appointed
committee to proceed to the residence OF that gen.
tleman and tender him the sympathy OF the asso.
citation.
Mr.. F. w. Jackson, division superintendent OF the
Pennsylvania Central Railroad, was In the train
which struck the car, and seemed to feel deeply
THE RESPONSIBILITY
which must attach to hat railroad company. 1t Is
stated that train In question was running under
the new timetable made out last Sunday, when the
lease had been accomplished
The driver OF the car was Christopher Hogan and
the conductor q. N. Doe. The gatetender, who did
not lower the gate In time to prevent the collision
was Thomas Langan. the reckessness OF gate
tenders on the Jesey City crossing Of the New Jer-
sey Railroad has recently become proverba. The
result OF this accident, however. may be the waking
up not only OF them. but OF their employers, who can
not shlrk the responsibility. Whether the Coroner
be called upop or not the case Will come before the