The New York herald., 1877-08-29
THROUGH A DRAWBRIDGE.

FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE NEW HAVEN RAIL
BoAD-THE ENGINE AND ENGINEER OF
PEACH TRAIN FALL THROUGH THE DRAW
AT THE BRONX RrvER-THE EN0INEER
DRowNED-NoBoDy REpoRrED TO BLAME
A fatal railroad accident occurred on the Harlem
branch OF the New York and New Haven Railroad, at
quarter to two O'Clock yesterday afternoon owing to
an open drawbridse The accident occurred ut the
point where the road crosses the Bronx River about
quarter Of a mile below West Farms A train Of nine
teen cars loaded with peaches caboose left tho
Harlem River ten minutes behind the eastern
bound express, with James Mann, one Of the
most careful engineers tho road, in charge
Of engine No. 9s. Just after passing Hunts
Point station on down grade, about
. fourth OF q mile below the draw and while running
at ratio not exceeding three miles per hour, the
ginesr and his fireman, Henry Pepper, simultaneously
discovered that the rcd ball the draw was down.
at whistled ''down brakes" and six brakes
men quickly responded TO the warning This was fully
quarter oil milo this side oil the open draw All the
railroad employees agree that the brakes failed 10
spond 10 the efforts Of The brakesmen, owing to the
iact that they were on old cars OF the pennsy vana
Railroad Company The engineer at once reversed MS
engine and gave sand to tho track the confident
lief that he could check the velocity of hts
reaching the bridge.
DAUNrLEss ENGINEER.
When the train had reached the " estches.er sarn
pike crossing, about one huuarcd and 1ty yards from
the draw, and entered the trcstle work. the fireman
called TO Mann to jump, as thoy could not stop the
train. The brave engineer stood by his engine with
one hand on the lever and made no reply. When
thoy within few feet OF the chasm the fireman
again called to Mann to save himself by jumping. A
moment after seeing tho engine falling, the fireman
saved his life by jumping into the grass the right
side Of the restie work. The coupling connect
Ing the engine with the tender snapped
asunder the engine going down into the river and the
tender remaining on the edge Of the bridge Search
ut instituted by the railroad employees, cit
zeos ana boatmcn Tor the body Of tho engineer, but
iu tide was and Tor the time they we're uasuc-
cessuL
Tho announcement OF the accident al teIs-
araphed to New Haven, and Al four +. N. wrecKing
truin IN charge OF H. kileton master mechanic John
Fuller, engine builder, and James Denver. boss
builder, arrived At the scene OF the wreck. About
seven O'Clock the TIDE SO ar recedcd US 10 the
greater OF the engine that In the bed o tho river
one eide. The boatmen at set TO work 10 dis
cover the body OF Mann, and II was found about
twenty-five feet 10 the right Of tho engine and removed
to the bank
By half-past seven the debris removed. and the
slight damages being repaired. the draw closed,
but effort made get the engine out Tho pas
sengers who had beon delayed were transferred
the draw with their baggage and proceeded TO their
destination.
STATEMENT on The rIRExAS AND sRiDGrxAx
Henry Pepper, the fireman, described his escape
entirely to the TACT that the Pennsylvania cars, which
were heavily loaded, had not brakes Sufficiently strong
to stop The train on the down grade "We always
stop" said he, ION approaching draw whether the
ball is up or down, ana Mann did everything In his
power, as did also the SIX orakesmen, TO come TO
dead halt Neither Is the bridgefnau John SAVAGE to
blame All our trains must wait IN pleasure vi pass
ing craft on the river, cannot Interrupt navxa
tion"
John Savage. the brdgemau at his post tie
reports I'll. he had oDeued the draw and vessel
had passed through aud another Just about
ing tho draw when the tram appeared above the
He noticed that they were apply ing the brikes and
supposed, a. matter OF course, that tie train would
stop just before the engine TOOK the fatal plunge
saw the fireman jump, and a moment later lie noticed
the engineer 70 10 the lett side oil the cab, II hes
itatng whether to save himself by jumpnx u remain.
He believes that had they the Iepgth oil Two rails
TO run the accident would have been avoided
NO oNE TO BLAnE
All the employees insist that there Is no blame to
effort made stop tho velocity the The
fireman admlts, however that he forgot Apply the
brake on the engine Ihe unfortunate engineer, who
met his death at his post was ono OF the avories Of
the company. For many years he worked
ia their shops and assisted IN the construction
OF many of tho engines used on tho road
lady who camo IN on tho train Informed tho HERALD
reporter that sue we'll acquainted with M. Mann
aud his amiiy, who live in New Haven and she bore
testimony 10 his worth ana hrs cool.
ness updrr all circumstances
AT the time tho reporter left the scene or the
dent no permission mad been received IRON the New
York CoronerS UHicc tor the removal oil The body 10
the village ana II was granted BY an oifccr.