The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-28
ANOTHER RAILROAD SLAUGHTER.
Disastrous Collision on the Central Road
ut Crawford, N. ].
Three Men and Two Mules slaughtered-A Pas
senger Train Kows Down Circus Cara
van-The Coroner's Inquest and ver-
dist-Full Particulars Of the
Calami,ous Affair.

Another frightiul slaughter on the rail. At Gram
ford, pretty village the line OF the New Jersey
Central Railroad, between four and five miles be-
yond Elizabeth, o caiamitous occurrence took place
carly yesterday morning. Shortly after seven
O'Clock Just as the tall end OF an itnerant show.
mans menagere-two provision and cooking uten-
sill wagons-was crossing the railroad track NJ the
Wcsticld turnpike junction with the latter. tne o'oo
A. N. passenger train from somerviiie came
whizzlng along at fast rate. One OF the wagons
drawn by two horses passed over safe, but The
second. to which was attached four mules, was
struck by the locomotive, the wagon smashed to
ATOMS oneman killed outright, another injured 80
that ne died In half hour, third 80 that ne died
In the course OF the evening" and three more persons
quite seriously.
THE KILLED AND WOUNDED.
The man killed outright was named Theodore
ConklIn, young man about twenty-five years OF
age, native of Delevan. Wise. His body was
mutllated IN shocking manner. Occupying the
drivers seat with him at the time OF the accident.
was Edward Dyer, mua.to. He, too, was fright
fully cut up but lived about twenty-five or thirty
minutes Asleep in the body OF the vehicle were
George H. Sickle and Charles Stiles, colored SER
wants: Thomas WEIGH boy-ariver OF the dwarf's
carriage. and John Joyce, waiter. The boy WEIGH
was so dreadlully lacerated and bruised, besides
sustaining conclusion OF the BRAIN, that he died
while en- route to Bellevue Hospital In this city.
He was from Racine Wis. The other three were
also badly hurt and likewise removed to Belle
vue Hospital Stiles lives at No. 112 Thompson
street. New York; Joyce In South Second street. Jer-
sey City. and Sickle at No. 20 Marshal street. Brook
lyn. Conklin and Dyer were hurled o distance of
about forty feet from the track. Two OF the mules
were completely jelifed. The loss TO the Snowman
VIII be about $1,000
gathered the scene OF the collision and the utmost
excitement prevailed Tor miles around. The bodies
OF the dead. dying and wounaed were conveyed to
Elizabeth, the conductor OF the train and his men
doing all in their power for the unfortHnaies.
Thence, later in the day, the wounded were taken
Coroner Alexander Gibbs, of Elizabeth, was
promptly notified, and with his deputy, Mr.. P. J.
Ryan, proceeded once In the holding Of an inquest
Ajury OF twelve men was empanelled, with Josiah
Crane as foreman. After viewing the bodies OF the
bled at the Elizabeth Court House and proceeded
with
THE INQUEST.
The first witness sworn was DR.. Frederick A.
Kincle, Of West1leld HIS evidence went to show
that on being notified he at once repaired to the
ana Edward Dyer In dying condition.; he died
half an hour afterwards Conking's right leg was
conclusion OF the brain; Dyer's death was caused
by conclusion and dislocation OF the second verte
DR. Martin, Of the Central Railroad, next testified.
He merely described the condition and disposition
OF the dead ana WOUNDED.
Sherin Joseph M Osborn OF Scotch Paius, pas.
senger on the train, swore that when nearing Gram
ford he heard an unusual noise made by the
locomotive whisting andringng OF the bell: looked
out and saw two mules running with harness on
them; heard conductor say some men were killed
aud order the train 10 be backed; being oflcer OF
the county felt Interest Ill inqurlng into the case;
on arriving at the place Of accident witness found
an oflcer present and saw three bodies lying among
the ruins OF the wagon; heard four were killed.
THE CONDUCTORS STORY.
George p. Doughty, the conductor OF the train,
that ls AT Crawford nj sixteen
minutes past seven A. M; as his train approached
the crossing the whistle was blown as usual; he
did not see any team crossing the track, but when
his train reached the crossing he heard The whistle
and felt the shock; the engineer called "down
brakes and the train was stopped as quick as pos
s.bie; on going forward to see what was the matter
he found wafer running from the tank and the cock
The next witness placed on the stand vas AleX y5
w. civssinH the Track; two men were in IT: il
one behind TO go back; heard locomotive coming.
and called out TO those on the second wagon not 70
Gross; t t tried to 60 OYER but the locomotive
mad maze any signal; at place Of accident saw
several dead ana wounded persons and tke wagon
bnasheu 10 pieces: did not know whether the people
In the wagon had heard the warnings one OF the
wounded boys told witness all the people on tine
Rosanna Randolph, lady residing at Crcnford.
gave evidence corroborauve OF the last witness
Her home Is near the scene Of the accident; She
heard the locomotive whistle and saw the driver of
ne atal wagon sitting In his seat and called out TO
nm not TO cross; the train was about an eighth Of
mile from the place OF accident, the interseciion
II Wesiield road and the railroad after the acct
lent one OF the wounded men, coored resident or
Williamsburg, named George Slckles, was taken to
Ter house and cared for.
William Colthar, brakeman on the train, heard
ne whistle sounded second time; felt sudden lar
nd heard the signal TO down brakes; found the en-
me water-cock broken on.
James Miller, q night Watchman employed by the
abroad, was on the engine; heard the bell ring and
thistle blown; rang the bell first about half a mile
bove Craniord kept the bell ringing TIL Crawford
as reached.
John n. Gennin, the showmans treasurer and
dward Clark, the driver OF the first wagon to cross
ere the last witnesses examined. The first witness
aw nothing OF the accident only what he had heard;
onklin was groom and driver, or Delavan Wis:
lark, the driver, stated that he knew the driver Of
ie second wagon was not asleep he thought il was
.ry dangerous for the driver to attempt TO cross
hen lie did.
About halfpast six o'clock the jury retired and
ter about an hour ana quarters elaboration re-
rned with the following verdict
TEE VERDICT.
The jury it transplred, were exercised as TO the
tact sort or verdict they should biIng Some OF
EN- wanted 70 exonerate the train officials and
ace some blame on the company for not having a
gman stationed at SO important crossing.
hers held out, however, and the result was they
reed that the deceased men came TO their death
accidentally and by misfortune, y by being run over
killed; ''and we further find that no blame is
acied 10 the employees OF tie said Central Rail-
I'd Company