The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-01-12

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place where the Delaware and Bound Brook
r. r. Co. proposed to cross the track of the
Mercer and Somerset r. r. Co., near Hope
well. This engine was constantly on the
track where the crossing was to be made, ex-
cepting when trains ON the NJ. s. S. road
wished to pass, when it would run on sid
ing. On Wednesday evening of last week,
just after it had run on the siding to allow
a train to pass, a sudden yell was heard from
scores of Threats and one hundred and fifty
men suddenly appeared from their hiding
places along the track and proceeded to block
the locomotive by placing cross ties against
its wheels and claiming them fast to the rails
Mr.. Ralph Dilts, of this city, the engineer, it
is said, expressed himself in language more
forcible than elegant, but he was completely
at the mercy of these raiders and could do
nothing but submit. The gang then proceed
ed to tear up the Mercer G. Somerset r. r.
track each side of the proposed crossing and
barricade the track. This being done, they
proceeded under directions of officials of the
new railroad to put in the "frog," which
would give them a connection with the track
on each side of the M. & S. r. r. While this
was going on a despatch was sent to the
superintendent office of the Belvidere Della
ware Division, in this city, notifying the
officers of what was going on. About sixty
men were hurriedly gathered together and
transported to the scene of contention, but
these could do nothing against superior num-
bers The locomotive of the NJ. & S. train at
Milestone, Ellis engineer, was directed to run
back and to run into any Instructions. He
did so, but as the track was torn up, he was
not able to do any damage to the locomotive
and other distinctions which had been placed
upon the frog to prevent its removal. Another
engine was directed to butt the first into the
distractions and the frog was then thrown
few inches out of line, but this locomotive
was blocked by the D. s. B. employees before
further damage was done.
On Thursday the forces of both parties had
increased, the Penna. r. r. Co. having for
warded men from this city, from Trenton and
from the shops on the Meadows near Jersey
City, until their number reached a thou
sand or more men. The frog" was still
in the possession of the forces of the new
railroad company, who were guarding it with
force of three or four hundred men, armed
with pick-axe handles, clubs and revolvers.
On Thursday evening affairs. assumed a
rather desperate look, and it was feared that
if the forces of the Penna. r. r. Co. attempt
ed to clear the distractions there would be
bloodshed The Sheriff of Mercer Co., who
was on the ground attempting to keep the
peace, telegraphed to Governor Bedle of the
State of affairs and the Governor at about 2
P. M. on Friday morning, ordered Col. Angel
of this city, and five companies of the
Seventh Regiment Including Co. G. of this
city, to repair Immediately to the scene of
disturbance. In very short time the men,
beers of Co. G were aroused and about thirty
rank and file reported at the armory. The
four Trenton companies were aroused by the
ringing of the City Hall and other bells and
we're soon en- route, and at i've o'clock, A. M. Col.
Angel and his command were on the ground
at the :" frog" and in charge of the disputed
crossing. At ten o'clock we visited the scene
and found from two thousand to twenty-five
hundred people assembled, and considerable
excitement existing among the neighboring
farmers and those who were in sympathy
with the new railroad, but there appeared to
be no i'll feeling between the employees of the
two railroad companies. During the day and
evening of Friday nothing of special interest
occurred. Finally, an injunction was secured
from the Chancellor requiring the ID. 81 B.
r. r. Gu. to remove distinctions and clear
the track of the M. & S. r. r., but ordering
that the frog be replaced in its proper posi-
ton and be allowed to remain until the ques-
ton of permanent injunction could be ar
gued before the Chancellor on Tuesday. The
order was obeyed, the track cleared and on
Saturday at about noon the Central r. r. To-
connective which had been standing across the
M. & S. track during the difficulties, was fired
up and ran over the /" frog" amidst the
cheers of the adherents of the new railroad.
The military folded their tents and marched
away" Co. arriving home at about p. M.
Thus ended the great railroad war. The
veterans engaged in it will doubtless tell the
story Of the &c Battle of the Frog" to their
children and grandchildren.
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