The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-08

Packsrton four minutes later and drawing ortyo OIL
TANKS, came speeding along al the rate Of from twenty
10 twenty-five miles an hour, and, according 10 tue
statement OF John watmore, tho engineer not seeing
The roar signal OF tho preceding train until within
distance Of 300. yards sharp declining grace, nj
though reversing his lever instantly was powsress 10
stop IN time TO prevent the collision. MI Watmore
asserts that tho signal target here was not turned 10
signal him back, and is ne saw tho red lamp
on the rear Of train No 49, instantly reversed bis
lever the pressure OF being great ~ 70 blow
out bis cylinder head, and, Notwithstanding this,
slackened the speed his engine II was impossible
TO avert the calamity owing TO the sharp grade AS
vcrihcaton OF mis- statement tho cylinder head can
now be seen over half mile distant from the place
Of collision. The agent here, Mr.. l. N. cassel states
that the signal was turned as TO signal No. l54
back.
CAUSE The EXPLOSION.
On the arrival OF the railroad officials orders were
given to open tho tanks from below, and. alter The oil
had boon running about ten minutes further orders
were given 10 place chain around OF the tanks
as to draw It away from the depot Tho oil running
from below created vacancy between the surface Of
the oil and the top Of the tank the moment the
chain was applied II produced . rupture In tho
iron, causing the gas TO ignite and exploding the
boiler. As further evidence that every effort was
made on the part Of tho engineer OF No. 5i to prevent
the collision ten Of tho tanks had their brakes on
discovered Immediately afterward by Agent CasseiL
THE CORoNER's INQUEST.
Tho Coroner OF Lehigh county, Tllghman Osman, Of
Allentown reached here TINS morning for the purpose
Of holding inquests the bodies of those who have
died from the effects OF che explosion. Well kncwn
citizens OF tho borough were sworn In as jurors.
They Immediately repaired 10 tho house oil Evan
Williams, the father OF Arthur Williams, who died
this morning tour O'Clock, to view theremains, and
from thence to the house Of Daniel Rabcr tour miles
out Of town, to perform u similar duty, returning
here ut r. NJ, TO take evidence to the OF
the explosion. Numerous witnesses sworn, VINO
testified that the railroad companys officials had In
strucied that the tank which frc NJ the time
be pulled by Of q chain cncirciing It, from the
railroad track, and their judgment this was the
cause OF the explosion.
vERDICTs.
After deberation the following vcrdcts sepnr-
ateiy rendered That the death OF Daniel Raber, Lc
oil striking him from the explosion OF oil tank on
fire, attached to engine No. l54 We are Of opinion
that, had the Railroad Company not disturbed the
burning TANK the explosion would not nave occurred.
similar verdict was rendered in tho Of Arthur
Williams, emitting tho words che being there as q
spectator" tnore being evidence TO show that he
was there such.
MORE DEATHS.
Two others have died siucc the holding Of the In.
qucst-Erwin Clark, empoy6 OF the road, and john
k0ner. Half score OF others not expected to
live. Services will DO hold Tuesday afternoon Ia
the Presbyterian Church over the remains OF wiliami
and RabeE