The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1877-10-10


ACCIDENT ON THE BELvIDERE DIVISION
FIVE LIVES Losr.-During the heavy rain
of last Thursday evening, part.of the large
railroad culvert over the creek a short dis
lance below Milford. was washed out by the
tremendous food in the creek, and shortly af-
ter, the 0swego Express came along and the
locomotive, smoking and one passenger car
plunged into the seethiug chasm. The engi-
neer, Jonathan Thornton, of this CITY, and
the conductor, Thos G. Reading, of Trenton,
are believed to have been instantly killed.
In the smoking car six passengers were seat
ed, among them DR.. J. G. Wilson, of 2l4 S.
Fifteenth street, Phila., and w. G. McElroy,
a lawyer, living on Nineteenth street, below
Green. DIR. Wilson received a severe scalp
wound, but was picked up by boat from the
Pennsylvania side while floating on two cusll-
ions. Mr.. McElroy was drowned He and
DIR. Wilson bad been to Stroudsburg on bust
ness and were seated together at the time of
the accident William Lewis, a newsboy, son
of the trackmaster at Kensington depot, hung
fast to his chest of papers and was also pick
ed up by boat long distance down the riv-
er. Johnny Reagan, of this city, another
newsboy, about ten years old, was carried
out by the torrent and was picked up by boat.
Christian Huber and his wife of Trenton,
were seated in the second car when the water
rushed il. the rear. The husband held fast to
his wife until the water broke his grasp, when
she disappeared. Russell O'Neal Of this city,
the fireman on the locomotive, was washed
out into the river in an unconscious state,
and recovering swan to shore in an exhausted
condition. His foot was badly sprained. Am
brose Hoffman, also of this city, the baggage
master, was in the baggage car. The bottom
Of the car was knocked out and he was wash
ed into the river aud was picked up by the
same boat that rescued young Regain. He is
considerably bruised. The rear car Of the
train was not carried into the creek, but stood
just on a balance, with about half of it pro-
sumo fifteen or eighteen persons, all Of whom
escaped with only slight bruises Jos. Allen,
a brakeman, of this city. was in this car and
showed considerable coolaess, under the cir
cunstances, in calming the passengers and d.
recting them to safety. In the smoking car,
after some time had elapsed two or three per-
sons were saved by cutting through the roof
of the car. One person in this car, Thos. E.
Hamilton, Of 1910 Marlborough ST., Phila.,
was drowned.
The locomotive and the baggage and smok-
ing car are completely wrecked. The latter
was carried considerable distance into the
river.
Mr.. Thornton, the engineer, was esteemed
AS man by all who knew him. He leaves "a
wife and -four young children, and widowed
mother, who was called only few weeks
since to part with another son.
Mr.. Reading, the conductor, was quite
popular with the travelling public and made
many friends. He was highly esteemed in
this city, where he formerly resided. He
leaves wifs and two children.
Temporary repairs were made to the track
by the railroad company and trains were uu-
ming through by Monday without change Of
cars.
None Of the bodies have thus far been re-
covered A reward of 800 is offered for the
recovery of Mrs. Huber's body, by husband
one Of $50 for the recovery of Mr. McEIroy's
body, and one Of 800 for the body of Mr..
Hamilton. In addition, the Penna. r. r.
offer reward of $50 each for the recovery of
the bodies of the five missing persons.