The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-22
COLLISION ON THE HARLEM ROAD.
Wrecked near WiIlIRmsbridge by n Rapid
Transit Trnin-A Fireman Killed.

The White Plains freight train on The Har-
lem Railroad that starts from Now York at about
10h A. M. stops ut all stations. and is duo
in Wlliamsbridgc at 12:48 1t Is followed
by rapid transit passenger train that
starts from New York at 1928 and ar
rivos at WilliamsbridRo at 1903 p. NJ.
Tho freight train was delayed by tho
storm yesterday. and was ten or fifteen minutes
behind time at Williamsbrldge. so that the
rapid transit train was close behindiit. although
not in sight About two hundred yards south
Of the station nagman John Orton has his
shanty. and II is his sole dutyto warn approach
ing trains when another train is at the station.
Tho freight train. cQmposed OF half dozen fiat
cars loaded with stone. three or four box cars
and q caboose on the rear. had Just passed Or
tons shanty when. he says. he snatched up his
danger flag and started down the track to meet
the rapid transit train. 1t was showing and
blowing furiously. and. knowing that the engi-
neer could not see 80 far ahead as usual. he
ran at full speed. He went. ho says.
about $50 yards. which would make
the distance between tho spot where
he stood and the rear OF the freight train about
$50 yards. He says that he could see the rear
OF the freight train when the rapid transit train
came in sight. Ho waved the flag until he had
TO- step aside TO escape being struck by the train.
He supposed that the engineer saw the freight
train until the locomotive crashed into the ca
boose.
Just before the collision tho freight train was
standing still and the engineer had detached
the locomotive for the purpose OF switching
some cars on to n siding The rapid transit
train was going Mt n speed OF twenty-five miles
an hour. The shock was terrific The rear end Of
the caboose was torn on and the car WINS driven
upon those in front OF Il. which were knocked
of from their trucks or thrown sldewise across
the tracks. The locomotive OF the rapid transit
train was totally wrecked aud tipped over on its
side. James Palmetier. tho engineer. stayed at
his post in the cab. and escaped with a few
slight bruises. Edward Beisinger. the fire.
man, was caught between the tender and the
locomotive. and had his right leg crushed near
tho body. He was removed to n neighborinR
house. where the limb was amputated. but ho
died In "A few hours.
The baggage ear OF the rapid transit train was
thrown upon its side. Two men who were
smoking in the rear compartment were slightly
bruised. There were four passenger cars in
the train. in which were ilve or six persons.
who escaped unhurt.
palmctier. tho engineer OF the rapid transit
train. says that he saw neither flag nor danger
signal. and supposed that the road WIS clear
ahead Of him. The windows OF the locomotive
cab were covered with snow. which was blowing
violently at tho time. According 10 the sched-
ule the freight should nave been past Will
liamsbridgo ut tho time. He says that
he did not see the freight train until some
dark object lOOmcd up right in front Of him.
and he then reversed the engine. but too late 10
prevent the collision. The testimony OF several
witnesses shows that the hagman was at his
post. aud none OF the railroad officials could eX-
plain how the engineer could fail 10 see him.