The daily gazette., 1878-07-01
mington promptly informed of all neces.

mington promptly informed of all neces-
sary particulars.
On the first train which was run up to
the scene of the accident were Drs Kane
Bullock, Draper, Ogle and Shortlidge,
but as there were no wounded to look
after, their services were not In de-
mand.
A SUSPICIOUS PARSONAGE.
Almost as soon as he left the cars, after
the accident Conductor Phillips was APP
preached by man named Harley
Brown, who, with an excited air, ex-
claimed, "Great God L did what could
to help it," The conductor asked him
what he did do, and his replies were so
unsatisfactory and suspicious that when
special officer VIM. Legg arrived ON the
wrecking train, he requested him TO ar
rest Brown and hold him on suspicion of
causing the wreck. Officer Legg took
him to tho city in the morning and plac-
ed him in the cells at the police station,
where he is still confined.
BROWNS STATEMENT.
Several years ago Harley Brown was a
baggage-master on the Delaware Rail-
road, aud after filling the position satis-
factorily he resigned and went to New
England, where he engaged in farming.
Recently he returned to this city, and en-
deavored to obtain employment on the
p, w. & b. II. r., but was unsuccessful
He was last seen in this city on Saturday
and after spending several hours visiting
his friends here he went to Chester on
the 420 train. He says that in the even
ing, desiring TO come to Wilmington, he
started to walk, but short distance be-
low Chester he was overtaken by man
in carriage, who gave him a ride al
most to Claymont. Here waited awhile
for the purpose of riding to Wilmington
on the next train down, but learning
that it would not be along for some time
he walked down the track, thinking to
Put in the time by footing his way to
the next station. Proceeding down the
track, he discovered cross-tie fastened
across the rails, when he took hold of
one end and endeavored to remove 1t,
Finding himself unable to do so he start
ed back to the station, for the purpose of
notifying the agent, but in a few seconds
he heard the whistle of the express. He
then endeavored to signal the train by
swinging his handkerchiefs, but the sig
nal was not observed by the engineer in
time to avert the accident
Browns statement was given in rath-
er wild and incoherent manner, but it is
not generally credited. 1t is but Just to
say, however, that while he was baggage
master on the Delaware Railroad he per-
formed his duties in satisfactory man
ner, and that his retirement from the
position was voluntary on his part.
THE VICTIMS.
Geo. Babe, the engineer, was one of
the most experienced and reliable engi-
neers on the road. He had been in the
employ of the =. W. ~ B. r.. II. Compa-
ny for a number of years, and run one OF
the first trains ON the Baltimore Central
road, continuing on that road for five or
six years, during which time he resided
III Port Deposit. He also resided in this
city but about two years ago removed to
Philadelphia He leaves a wife and one
daughter.
His son, George, was about twenty
years of age, and had been fireman with
his father for three years. He was steady
and reliable, and was developing into a
| first-class engineer.
The other two victims, who were both
young men, are described in the pro-
| ceedings before the Coroner's jury of in
quest, which are given below
The wrecked engine, No. ", was one
of the fastest and heaviest on the road
1t was built at the Baldwin Locomotive
Works, in the early part of 1876, for the
centennial traffic. After the centennial
| it was put on the through express lines
1t was badly damaged, the machinery
and running gear being torn and twisted
into pieces. The wrecked cars are own
ed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany. The passenger cars were only
slightly damaged, but the other cars were
shattered from end to end, while the
sides of the express cars were stove in.
THE INQUEST.
Sunday morning Coroner Rose sum-
moned jury and proceeded to hold an
inquest over the bodies of the four dead
men. The jury was composed of the
following gentlemen:
VIM. II. Quinn, foreman; VIM. #. Rob-
inson, secretary; j. II. Bush, Sr., j. s.
Traphagan, Sam'l Schultz, Chas. Thom-
as, Jacob Butz, Geo. McGovern, VIM.
w. Simmons, Amos Kane, John S More
Gibson, Chas. f. Schoen, j. w. Vande-
grift, B. f. Vandever, VIM. G. Baugh,
John Wainwright, Thos. L. Sutton,
John Mcbride, d. w. DeVallanger, t. b.
Nickerson, VIM. II. Lee.
The jury first inspected the bodies Of
the two unknown men, and took from
them all articles that could lead to their
identification. They then viewed the
bodies of engineer Babe and his son, af-
ter which they proceeded to the Direc-
tors room, at the depot building, where
the inquest was opened.
The jury first proceeded to the identi-
fication of the body that was found un-
der the forward part of the express car.
The articles taken from the deceased
comprised satchel, containing pair of
pants, pair of boots, and some under
clothing; and several letters, some Of
which were read by the secretary. The
first was addressed to "Wm. Rosey
Hough, care of d. @. Paxson, Union
Stock Yards, Chicago, ILL.," 1t was writ
ten by j. T. Etchison, of Woodbury.,
Texas, on May 18th last, and contained
a promise by the writer to do all he could
towards obtaining Hough situation IN
Texas.
The next letter was headed "No. 1886
9th street, N. W., Washington. ID. g.,
May II, 1875" and commenced "Dear
Brother" 1t expressed great anxiety
for the condition of the writers BROTHER,
and exhorted him to try to be man, ex-
pressing grief at his recent actions and
hoping he would do better. 1t was writ
ten in tender, loving strain, and was
signed "Sister q ertie.
Another letter from the same person,
dated June 9th, referred to financial mat
ters, and regretted that she was unable
to comply with her brothers request for
money She further stated that she was
grieved to hear he was going away to
Texas, but still reioiced to learn that he