The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-07-05
Il FTend's Atrf9E WOI'h.
FOUR LIVES LOST N ARAILRoAD sMAsHUP

FOUR LIVES LOST N RAILROAD sMAsHUP.
Asthe New York and Richmond express,
which left West Philadelphia on Saturday,
night at g. 30, was rounding heavy curve
in the road about three quarters OF a mile
south of Claymout, the engine anC hve cars
were throws from the tack, resulting IN
the death of George Babe, the engineer,
and his son a Young man nineteen years OF
ace who was fireman on the same engine
Christian Krauch, Il boy, of Baltimore, and
a man supposed by papers found on his
person 10 be William Il. Huugh, OF Cbica-
90. who was stealing a ride, were also Kill
ed. None of the passengers were injured.
The train, consisting of eight cars, was
rushing along at a speed OF thlrty-nVe
miles, when on turning the curve The e"Eln>
eer discovered crOsstie on the track, and
Immediately put on the air brake and re-
versed his engine, but it was too late to
avoid the calamity which cost himself and
his son their lives. These facts we're
learned from the condition of the engine
and the brakes after the accident. The
engineer was found under his engine, his
body horribly mangled, with deep cut
over his left eye. lie was supposed TO
have been killed instantly.
The sou lived about thirty minutes after
the catastrophe and died from the effects
of scalding-all the flesh was scalded oft
the fingers of both hands, and the LETT
hand was severed from the wrist with the
exception of being attached to it 10y small
shred of the skin. He was conscious TO
20 the last moment, and when asked II
they could do anything for his comfort,
replied, 'No;hing, but TO take me out of
here where [ can die"
One of the tramps was found between
the express car and engine, aud the other
between the baggage and the express cars.
The news of the accident was ielegraphed
back to the city and wrecking crew Imme-
diately dispatche to the scene of disaster.
After seven hours delay track was laid
around the wreck, 50 that the twelve
o clock midnight train was able TO go
through On time, taking the passengers of
the i'll fated train with them. The bodies
of the killed were also taken on board and
removed to Wilmington and placed ON ice
At seven o'clock last evening the dead
father and son we've brought to this city
and placed side by side in the parlOr of
their late residence, 1923 Wharton street.
The grief of the bereaved wife and mother
and of the two remaining children under
this sudden blow is beyond description.
The father had been i'll Tie employ of the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
railroad for nearly twenty years, and was
universally esteemed.
4 man named Henry Brown, who was
found at the scene of the wreck, has been
arrested on suspicion of having been en-
gagged in placing the obstruction on the
track. 1t is supposed to have bean the
( object Of the iuhuman wretches who caused
the accident to throw The train from the
/ track for the purpose of plundering the
passengers The tie had been wedgcd Oe-
I tween the rails so as to throw the engine
! off the track. Brown was discharged
! from the Delaware division of the PhIla'
IL.
/ not long ago, and this fact, coupled will
. that Of his beng found there at that hour o
night Quarter past ten o'clock, gives rise
/ to another theory, that it was the work o
revenge for having lost his position. II,
says that he saw the tie on the track as tht
/ s.ain approached, and tried to signal then
to stop. but not having time TO do so trie,
to remove the tie, but failed.
l. is said be has made several contradic
tory statements in accounting for his pres
euce there, which seems to increase thC
suspicion Of his guilty knowledge of tn
cause of the disaster. The wreck wa
completely removed at twelve o'clock yes
terday noon, and all The trains were run
ming on schedule time Phild. Record.
CONFESSION OF THE GUILTY PARTY.
Harley Brown, who was arrested on sus
picion Of having wilfully wrecked the ex
press train near Claymont, Del, on Satur
day night, by which four lives we're lost
: has confessed to the fiendisb act. lie nc
companiedsthe coroner's jury to the seen
of the disaster aud illustrated TO them tn
manner in which he arranged the ties 50 a
to throw The train of. lie was then re
mandcd to the Jail a. New Castle. Brow
was formerly employed on the road, bu
was discharged. He claims that he di
not intend to wreck the train, but afte
building the obstruction it was his inteu
ton to signal aud stop whatever traj
might come along and So obtain situatio
on the road for himself for what would 81
, pear to Je great service. He says he di
= not know the express was coming and la
calculated only on stopping an accommOda
? ton train which followed it.