Middletown transcript., 1874-08-15
SATURDAY MORNING. AUGUST is, 1874.
Local and State Affairs.
TERRIBLE Il. II. CASUALTY.

Two Ladies Exnied.-Three other persons
badly injured.
A terrible accident happened at the railroad
crossing near the Newark depot on the P. W.. h
b. r. r. last Monday afternoon. Mr. E. +.
Norris, n young man of about % years, accom-
panied by two Young adies, Miss Annie Kelley,
aged 10, and Miss Sale Simons, aged n. and
two boys, Willie Hawkins, aged Ia and Daniel
Keeley, aged 4, were returning from Newark to
their home near Iron Hill. They approached the
r. r.. Just as the south bound train, which passes
that place about 10 minutes before six going
By ut full speed. The whistle was blown, but Mr..
Norris, who driving, for some unaccounta-
ble reason, either that he was unaware OF the
nenrness of the or that he did not hear them
ut all, did .,ot stop, but drove. on the track i'm
med,,ely in front of the engine, which struck
his horse, killing him instantly, knocking the
carriage to pieces and throwing Ile occupants
,iocntl, 10 The around. The two ladie. fell IN
der HE ears, the whrels passing over them.
Miss keele, had both ni her lower limbs severed
below the knees. whiie Mis-, Simon> limbs
were cut off and badly mangled that the nm
fortunate young lady died within three hours
after the accident. Mr.. Norris thigh was badly
fractured and he was otherwise injured, but it is
thought he will recover. The two little boys
were thrown clear of the track and thus escaped
death, though both were badly hurt, young
Hawkins having his collar bone broken, and lit
tie Dan Kelley heing badly cut about the head.
DIR. Bullock was Immediately sent down from
Wilmington us soon as the terrible reached
Il, .it nd stp1 bv t)rs Jn,y bar RI
Kollock and Shaw Of Newark and Drs Mitchell
and Ellis of Elkton, did all that could he done
to relieve the sufferers. Miss Keeey's limbs were
ampulated above the knee in vain attempt to
save her life, but she died The next morning at .
o'clock.
THE VICTIMS
of this terrible accident all lived on the farm Of
Mrs. H. Bayuard. near Cooeh's Bridge, about ..
miles from Newark. NJ. Norris was her nephew
and lived with her. Miss Siinons and Willie I
Hawkins were orphan children whom Mrs Bay I
nard had brought up. Mis-, keclcy aud her lit
tie brother were children Of Michael Keelcy ten
ant on Mrs Baynard's farm
An inquest into the causes Of the accident was
made Ivy Coroner Winslow or Tuesday morning
who proceeded to Newark and summoned jury |
Of citizens for the purpose. After careful nves-
tigalion the following verdict WAS rendered -
s.That the deceased came to their deaths from /
being run by locomotive No. q, of train |
No ls, bound south, on the p W. Il b. r. R., |
ut $50, P NJ, on Monday, August 10th In
rendering this verdict we fully oxonerate the
Engineer from any blame, and we also exonerate
the Railroad Company from any special blame
in this case. But il is our opinion that the pub |
lie safety requires that there should be hagman
constantly stationed at this crossing.
This is dangerous crossing. There is hill
declining toward the railway both sides and |
the old Deer Park Seminary building obstructs
the view on one side Of the road and high
hedge and bank on the other. On the north side /
of the railroad large grain and ware house
stands on one side Of the road and a coal and |
lumber yard, enclosed by hedge on the other.
Ii was on account Of these distinctions that the /
jury recommended that the r. r. Co. should |
place u flagman ut that station. This may lie /
well enough, but it does seem to lis, that il pco-
pie would use little caution in approaching a
railway and stop few moments when they can
not see, many of these fearful accidents would he
prevented