The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-07
THE BATTLE OF THE FROGS"

CONFLICT BETWEEN THE EMPLoYEs OF THE
PENNSYLVANIA AND THE DELAWARE AND
BOUND BROOK RAILRoADs-THE QUESTION OF
CROSSING A NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CON-
CENTRATNG-DANGER OF BLooDsHED.
TRENTON JAN G. 1876.
In the middle Of last summer an attempt made
by the Delaware and Bound Brook Company to cross
the track Of the Mercer and Somerset Company at
HopewelL Tho latIor company is owned by the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company and is completely con-
Tolled by IT, For three months the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company have had engine No $40 lying the
point where the crossing about to be effected in
order TO prevent the Delaware and Bound Brook Company
from carrying out their design II is single track over
which the crossing attempted 70 be made, and
when regular trans came along the locomotive in
question would move out OF their way side track
and return soon as the way was clear 70 its accus
toned position. About O'Clock on Wednesday
evening last the regular train being due the guard
engine left tho track 70 let il go by In an instant
there suddenly from ambush by about 200
aborers in the employment OF the Delaware and Bound
Brook Company, all Of whom commenced to blockade
the track IN 'front.' and Of the engine with ties and
other obstrucuona and then by Of heavy chains
they tied the horse fast the track. The track
above and below the intended crossing was likewise
barrcaded. They tore up the track of the
Mercer and Somerset road, took out the rails,
ties, &c, and then proceeded 10 place frog
in position. Information Of these operations
teegraphed TO superintendent Jackson, OF the Penn
sylvania Company, at Jersey CITY, who Immediately
ordered engine No 336 with George Ellis engineer,
to run IN and burst through the oDsructons and place
the guard engine frog. Ellis at Milestone
when he received the orders He put full steam
md reached the OF conflict in thirty minuteS He
at full speed into the barrcade Knocked the OBJ
struoons off the track, but finally wound up by
ming his engine of the track He not in the least
scared, for he stuck 70 his ground tenaciousy. Two
other engines despatched to the scene but before
they could do any work they seized by the Della
and Bound Brook army and placed in charge of
strong squad of men The Frogs were laid the work
was completed, and the crossing effected.
REINFORCEMENT
This city is in fever Of excitement over the con-
hlct Every moment the situation the scene be-
comes serious and apprehensions felt that
sangunary results will have to be recorded half
past two O'Clock this afternoon 200 men left the depot
here ~ reinforce the Pennsy Railroad Companys
forces. AT five O'Clock special train, containing
superintendent Jackson H. T. Green, one Of the COM
panys legal ADVISERS and other head officials, left
here for Newark and Jersey City to get ad-
dtonal forces, They succeeded in getting three
car loads and then the train started Tor HopewelL
Instructions were sent TO all the stations the line
have all tue available possible made ready
for the point Of attack The Pennsylvania officials in
tend to less than 500 there during
the night boss named Montgomery came back TO
this city for provisions for the men, the farmers in
neighborhood OF Hopewell having refused give any
OF them drink OF water In the meantime the
Delaware and Bound Brook forces have been rein
forced and the leaders CLAIM they will have many
u
during the night if an attack is made The Delaware
and Bound Brook men bold their so far The frog
has not been removed and the barrcade is still intack
OUT FORCE
Nearly all the farmers IN that part of the country
have locked the scene, and their sympathies are
decidedly and openly In favor Of the Delaware and
Bound Brook Company They say they will stand by
them to the last sheriff Mount s the scene
supported by strong posse OF armed men, TO pre-
the peace II possible. President Scott oil the
Pennsylvania company passed through this city to-
day, en- route for Jersey City, to consult about the
difficulty. Abraham Browning attorney Of the Dela-
ware and Bound Brook Company, is the
Fears entertained that the militia will have to
be called out
ENGINES WRECKED.
The Delaware and Bound Brook Road men have torn
a iderabe portion Of the track and still have
their engine on the frog, and up TO p. ~
tiers of the situation The Chief Engineer i. H. Say
Ter, of the Delaware and Bound Brook Railroad, and
their counsel Abraham Browning, went up this
ing
The commissioners TO condemn the road have mado
their report and allowed the Pennsylvania Railroad
$3.50 The award was refused