The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-27
DECAPITATED BY A DERRICK.

HORRIBLE ACCIDENT ON THE e. ROAD IN AL
LEN sTREET-A FALLING DERRICK CUTS OFF
ONE MANS HEAD AND BADLY INJURIES
ANOTHER.
horrible accident occurred at noon yesterday on
the uptown track OF the Second IL" road in AL
len street. Rivington. by which John Henry Kee-
land aged twenty-five years. laborer was Instantly
decaptated by the falling OF derrick. Several work
men have been employed at this point laying the
foundation for station. ladder derrick was
placed in position the east side track. between
the two guard rails for the purpose of hosting the
beams and grders into position 1t rested on stout
planks which were stretched across the track. The
top of the derrick turned toward the houses on
the east side Of the street, forming angle from
the base Of about forty-ive degrees 1t held in
position by guys which extended to the west side
of the street and by head line. The head
line kept the apparatus securely in position
to the east, while the guy lines held it
back in the direction Of the west. The foreman,
William Il. Damon instructed deceased to 90 to the
top the derrick and cast of the head line for the
purpose of lowering the structure to the ground.
About half dozen men were detailed to assist III the
operation. When the unfortunate young man had
cast OF the head line he made his descent to the
track by the fall line attached to the back guys, in
stead OF coming down by the ladder which forms .
to be drawn backward and to fall with great force.
The body of deceased precipitated the track.
his head hanging over the edge OF the guard rail.
The descending derrick struck him on the neck
and the sharp outer edge of the guard rail
acted guillotne. and his head was severed from
the body. With dull thud it fell into the street
below, while his body remained lying across tho
rails In a second the thoroughfare beneath was
stained with the stream OF lifeblood which issued
from the headless trunk. The horrfed spectators,
of whom there was large number fled in terror.
imagining, i'll CONSERVATION that the road had fallen
The large derrick did not remain for more than q
second across the PROSTATE body Of deceased when
1t toppled into the middle Of the tnoroughiare In
its descent 1t struck one OF the workmen. named
Henry Mcfarland, of No. II Eldridge street, badly
fracturing his nose. He had a narrow escape from
being killed. and but for the prompt action of two
of his fellow laborers. who caught him before he
fell and drew HIM away; he. too: would have
Tenth precinct station house. where he
received surgical treatment. The foreman. William
Il. Damon, had also narrow escape. He was stand
ing the track close to the derrick at tho moment
hurled distance Of several feet. Luckily he
aighted the track and saved himself from falling
to the pavement by holding on to the ties. His in
juries were slight. In the meantime the detached
head remained untouched in the street for consid
cradle period. The workmen were too much fright
ened to interfere. At last Captain Alairo was in
formed of the tragic nature OF the accident and
telegraphed for ambulance, in which the trunk
and head were conveyed to the station house. Tho
severed parts looked as il the decaptaton had taken
presented q calm, natural, lifelike appearance.
There sign of suffering OF horror the face.
Later in the day the father and brother OF deceased
called Mt the station house. where they viewed the
mutilated remains. Coroner Flanagan subsequently
granted a removal permit.
William X. Damon, the foreman In charge, ex-
planned the manner Of the fatal accident, in SUBJ
stance recorded above.