The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-24
FELL FROM THE TRACK.

SHOCKING DEATH OF PASSENGER ON THE
METROPOLITAN Il" RoAp-srATEMENTs OF Or
FICIALs
Charles Poser fell from the front platform of an
elevated ear to the sidewalk last evening, at tho
FRANKLIN street station. and instantly killed.
The body was removed to the Leonard street police
station. where upon examination, the skull
was found to be fractured The train from
which Mr.. Poser dropped left the main
station at Rector street at three minutes
past six O'Clock and arrived at Franklin street in
about ten minutes. While it yet in motion and
passing along beside the platform at the station
Poser jumped on. He pushed the gate guarding the
front platform of the first before HIM and got on
the car Finding the door leading into the
he turned to go back on the station landing but hav-
ing foothold lost his balance. BY the time he
had discovered that the door was closed
the train had arrived ana stopped and the platform
he was standing beyond the limits of the
station. The Franklin street the largest station
on the line. but even there engine aud four
project six feet at either end when train of that
length stops there. The one from which Mr.. Poser
fell just that length and when lie found that he
could not get into the he six feet at least
away from the station without knowing it. Two
friends OF Poser's went on the train at the
time he, but entered at the and in safety.
One Of them. Mr.. Robert Thorpe. of No. 435 West
Forty eighth street. man lose his balance from
the car and cried out. His companion. Mr.. William
Lanm. OF No. 772 Ninth avenue. answered that it
was Poser. and both rushed from the
train to the street. where they picked up
the body of their friend. Officer Mcmahon.
OF the Fifth precinct, called to as
sst them, and with the hope that life might not yet
be extinct they sought medical assistance T. s.
Schoonover. the conductor of the train. told
I,nA
fall into the street. When asked what he did he
swered. Nothing; what could do? remained at /.
the station the usual time and then went did
not wait to ascertain to what extent
the injured. had pretty
full train Of passengers to town and had to
move There was excitement in the cars. but
not great deal. Some person rushed through
shouting man had been killed, but beyond talking
OF tue circumstance there was no commotion among
the people He got on while the train was going at
the rate of six miles an hour. When it stopped
he was away beyond the railing at the
extreme end OF the platform. l suppose he tried
the door get into the and found it locked.
Then he turned to so back on the platform OF the
station. and stepping othing tumbied into
the street. the chief officer OF the road at the
spot at the time. understood it to be my duty to
80 on. not to remain. could do no good by losing
time and putting the whole road out OF
order and all the passengers that would come be-
hind while halted. l people
to the man almost soon as he fell. and knew by
that what help needed he would receive. 1t
seemed to me that he fell headlong and that there
several people the front platform the
or may be little in advance They rode to the next
station aud got off, l since heard they were men
who worked III the same shop and knew him. Tho
conductor place is in the front car.
HOW THE NAN FELL
w. Sutton. the freman who in the engine
with the driver, said:-"I the fall over. It
seemed to that he fell back ward and sidewise
and then turned over his head. He beard.
the lower part Of it gray, and deceny dressed.
think he had one hand on the iron railing at tho
end Of the station and the other holding on
to the gate OF the car, when his feet
gave way. He had jumped on the car. pushing tho
gate before him, while it was in motion and before
stopping at the station. The train not going
when he fell. We did not start for may be half
minute after. I'm sure he fell backward and side
and then pointed head down."
At several of the stations the ticket sellers
planned that there officials at any Of the
stations to prevent people jumping the trains
whose duty it Is to watch the ticket boxes and
that passengers put in their tickets, and to open
and shut the gates. are the only people duty at
the stations. When the trains arriving, they
said. it common for people in great hurry to
jump Mr.. Poser had done. aud there no
to prevent them
Mr. Robert Thorpe said 81 worked in the
establishment with Poser. at No. 365 Broadway. He
= cutter. Mr.. Eamm, he and went into the
station together. He got on somehow ut the fron<
opposed to the elevated railroad anu
usually went by the street cars. They
crowded last night, and he
panied l had scarcely been in tho
Lamm and he replied Il think it's Poser We rushed
from the to the street and found dim lying
there" de was fifty five years of age and leaves
widow and four children The officers OF the road at
Rector street sent Official to look after the ACCT
dent and ascertain all the facts relative to it. At
nine o'clock he had not got far the police
ton in Leonari street. The Coroner was notified to
hold an inquest.