The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12
THE OCEANPORT DISASTER.
INQUEST ON THE BODY OF EDWARD vxRMu-
EIES-THs BRIDoRMAs's- TESTIMONY

EIEN-THR BRIDGHMASs- TESTIMONY
LONG BRAscH, n. j.. August IL. 1877.
The Oesanport disaster is stlll attracting consider
able attention IN this vicinity, and Though other
deaths have as yet been reported of the sufferers
are s in a critical condition. Mrs. Henry White is
still at the PARK HOTEL oceanporl, very precareu
e. and her physicians entertain only sigGi hopes
her recovery. Dr. j. II. Love and family have ed
to their homes at New Brunswick. aud Mrs. j. H.
Hyer has also been taken TO her residence Holmdel
rhc railroad employees still engaged clearing the
debris OF the wreck. few relies OF value have
been Ashed out oil the that has settled he pas
scneer cars.
Coroner Gugel began the inquest yesterday morning
on tho body of Edward vcrmuelen, who died at the
Park Hotel, oceanpor, from the injuries he sustained
at the oceauporl disaster The Coroner sat IN New.
ing's Hotel
The first Witnesses examined were Robert Valentine
and HILBERT Edwards. The next was Captain Edward
Price, who deposed that he was captain OF boat on
the shrewsbury River on the day OF the Occurrences
alluded TO; At the time OF the occurrence he pass.
ING up IN tho direction OF the draw with tho nten
OF going through; asking the bridge tender to let
him go through he heard say take down the
nd nag, ana the next thing he a stagger
at tho baggage car; the car l,ie et and by
that time these Two hind went or SAID, they
went OF into the water"
To aJuror--Mr. Coaron told me- Il gucss can let
you through, and when saw the lag sailed away
RON aim; don't know who locked tho draw after
ward; did not notice anything broken about the
draw.
70 the Coroner-Ths locomotive came across the
draw all right and so did the baggage car: ddn't
think al the lime there Was anything tho matter al all
saw the passenger and Two baggage cars tail
mud, and went up TO my waist III water to bcip the
people out. The substance Of his iusther testimony
was that Johu Conron gave him warning TO keep of,
tho tram Is coming"
Lewis White the next witness corrobora,ed the tes.
timOny of Captain Price
rHG gaIDsgnAx's rxsriuoxy
John Coproy, tue bridsemnp, was the uext witness.
He testified MS ioows:-l WAS at the draw when the
disaster occurrsd u was my custom 10 ocA tho draw
about twenty minutes TO seven O'Clock made M
quries as 10 watcher the morning had
gone over HI right and WAS told that they had;
made point TO pass the next tram, the
o'clock, aud The sos and s:l fast
express; there was no ,rain again until GA.
Lewis Waite came down ABOUT niue O'Clock and | sui
taking u HIM; 1 saw Captain Price coming down the
river toward the draw ana when he norr enough
Told HIM mere was tram coming ana ne wonia we
to wait; looked and 1udng the train behind time
told him, 81 guess can1e yon through, I'D - nom
my post can see the Rel bank turnpikc. ~Dich is
anout Two miles away when lowered down my flags
two boys stood by The draa and they asked tor 4;
gave each o. ,nsm red ilas men went out 70 ne
hrst 10 the southwatd ana then the other way, ana
nrst time saw mat the tram had rounded
called TO the boys TO bring the fags the IRAN was
coming, an took the Gags from their hund and nut
them on tho rack 10 winch they belonged; SO took
out the whie flags al that time the uain had uot
reched tto Silver station; as she passed tho psssen
gcr station began 10 wave my white flags; the next
thing knew the engine anu passenger car passed as
usual, and, when The last cars were gong by heard
grating sound and the sphnters began to hy;
turned my head aud he gong over
the bridge threw my flag doxn aud
to the end OF the draw; on realizing tho
extent OF the calamity which had occurred
called on the boys 10 bring around The boats as
fas W. possibe helped 10 get out some passengers
WAC were sitting on the top OF the cars, aud saved
al least three per on every passenger that could be
taken out 0, tho was placed the shore; went
next back TO tie draw aud | saw that the latch
thcn about wo.thirds OPEN and the briJge about
ten inches oil tue tram Was three or four mnulos
behind time"
The Witness 10 reply 10 questions from the Coroner,
SAID that ne did not consider IT his duty % examine
the lock of the draw he had perec confidence his
sun, WOO was night wachman; hc never stopped any
one ron coming over the bridge, and did not unlock
tue draw that morning; he did not himself touch the
lock; ho was sa ish tho draw was unlocked, but by
wnom ne could not say he had no aut horny to put
boys Oh though no thought they should not be al
lowed there.
DR.. Chattce testified that y. Edwin vcrmuecn died
oil tho injuries sus AIMED at the ACCIDENT
Tho case was adjourned until Wedncs Jay next