The New York herald., 1872-11-02
SHOCKING RAILRcAD ACCIDENT.
Collision on the Jamesburg Railroad, in
New Jersey.
Explosion Of Locomotive Men Killed And
Several Ipjured-A Heroic Engineer-AT-
fecting Scenes at the Wreck.

Between SIX and seven O'CLOCK On Thursday
evening terrible collision occurred on the Amboy
division Of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
TAe passenger train, which takes passengers
from Philsuelphia and New York at Monmouth
Junction for the Amboy division. had orders to run
and lay up at Dayton turnout for extra No. 66s, 10
pass which was a ceal train from South Amboy.
No. 66S had orders to run to Dayton and lie
there for the passenger train to pass from
Monmouth junction. This last order to 66s was
c0untermanded through the careessness OF the
operator, and according TO the dispatch the con-
uuctOr gave orders to run to Monmouth junction
Instead OF Dayton. The following is copy Of
the dispaSch:-"From Trenton for extra
No. 66s at Jamesburg. Meet extra No.
6l5 at Dayton. then run to Monmouth
junction OF Of all extras, Run to Dayton
OF OF train No. So" These were the ORDERS but
she operator issued them as follows:-"Meet ex
No. 615 at Dayton, then run to Monmouth Junction
oil oftrain No So" II will be seen that some Of
the most important parts OF the despatch were
omitted, which was the means Of causing the col
lison. Immediately after the collision the boiler
of the locomotive of train No. COS exploded,
killing instantly Christopher Beckman, the fire.
man, whose body was found twenty yards distant
In ditch, to which 1t had been carried by the
OF below the knee and found under the wreck
or the locomotive. Beckman lived IN Tren-
e. a1n obsaah sSI Freeman fireman Of he pas
senger train, who was severely injured,
M Of the Coal %
badly, fatal injuries and lies in very prccarious
condition at Monmouth Junction. Freeman Is
belongs 70 Yaravllie, n. J; Joseph DAWSON
and received a very bad scalp wound. He belongs
to Freehold. John Collins a brakeman, was also
dne passengers hurt. Tyndail's father, mother
and wife visited him yesterday when avery Affect
I apa was the not able
ak to them. They all wept bitterly
over his mutated form ana the Il interview , lasted
was that the road on which it occurred runs In a
straight line from Monmouth Junction to James
burg-devoid OF all curves and other distractions
and it Is rather strange that the engineers OF
the respective trains did not see each other
motive which exploded was strewn around the
scene OF the casualty Chunks OF iron weighing
yards distant; the house OF the engine was blown
TO atoms, and the sandbox was carried a
weighing 800 pounds, and q coal pick were
found where they were blown, distance OF 400
completely demolished, and the other one badly
damaged. Only one empty coal car was wrecked,
Trains were Delayed for about twelve hours in con
sequence OF the obstruction, which was not cleared
away Till eight O'Clock yesterday morning
1t was most marvellous that the passengers es-
capped uninjured. BY the force OF the collision the
engines were so firmly wedged together that it re-
baggage car was carried on top OF one Of the en-
gines. Martin COn0ver, the operator, and who, 1t
ts alleged, was the cause OF this sad calamity
whether Intentional or otherwise cannot
he ascertained), hastily took his depar-
lure for parts unknown after the first intimation
he received OF the occurrence, stating before he
left that he could not bear to await an eXamina
fon intO the matter, as he feared it might result
seriously TO him. No blame can be attached to
Mr.. Stuart, the superintendent OF the telegraph
department. Conober was always considered by
linn an reliable man.
James Higgins, Justice of the Peace Of Mon.
mouth Junction, held an inquest over the remains
OF the deceaaed fireman, Obadiah Freeman, yester-
day afternoon, at that place, when jury of
twenty men was cmpanelied. Several wit
nesses were examined, among whom were
Mr.. Stuart and the conductor OF the pas
senger train. who testified substantially to
as follows:-"We find that Martin Conober, of
Trenton, telegraph operator for the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, through gross carelessness aud
negligence, was the cause OF the collision on the
Jamesburg branch OF the Pennsylvania Railroad,
where the said Obadiah Freeman came to his death;
and we further ind that the Pennsylvania Railroad
reckessness In the manner In which they run their
trains said railroad, and especially on the 3lst
Of feOctober 1872, whereby the collision occurred,
and by reason thereof Obadiah Freeman came to
his DEATH"
The place.wherc the casualty occurred is midway
che Amboy division of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Poor Tyndall, like Doc. Summons, stood by his
engine to the last The fireman told him to Jump
OF, but he refused. To the sympathizers who
stood by him at Monmouth Junction he exclaimed,
'Icould not leave my engine; had to stop her,
can die with clear conscience, for it was not my
(LJIlt.v