The New York herald., 1879-11-09
INTO THE RIVER
A Passenger Coach Plunges Into the
Hudson at New Hamburg.
N O LIV Il s L O. S T.
Three Cars Jump Their Trucks and PIcugh
Up the Track.

ssThe passengers all came down last night, but we
haven't got any uames said the depot master at the
Grand Central Depot yesterday morning. in speak
ing to a HERALD reporter of the New York
express train which met with serious ace
cident at New Hamburg the previous evening.
"Nobody hurt" said the ticket agent ut New Ham,
burg later in the day. Further investigation showed
that this rose.oolored view of tho situation was not
only not quite true. but that the retcence OF the
subordnates of the New York Central and Hudson
River Railroad in accordance with the instruo
tions Of their superiors.
"They told us not to talk" said one. ''but the
truth is, q number Of persons hurt. some or
them seriously. and the only wonder is that many
were not killed..
The express train to which the accident occurred
is known No. 8. It il due at Poughkeepsie
at quarter to eight p. NJ. and when rum
ming on schedule time passes New Hamburg
at eight O'Clock. The officials say that on Friday
evening 1t passed the New Hamburg station at
nine minutes past eight but the people in tho
village declare that it was within few minutes Of
nine O'Clock. It is likely that the latter statement
is the true one last night the train which s due
at the Grand Central Depot at 1C0S did not arrive
until IL 20. ~ .tl .i.s
the HERALD reporters informant 'srhe accident
occurred about one minute later. The start for
are the figures told to give"
ACCIDENT RI
The train was made up OF the baggage car. thres
sleeping and three passenger cars 1t in charge
Of Conductor George Parsons. an experienced
servant Of the company: In turning tho.
is known as Old Troy, the smoking car. which
was the next coach the seepers left the track
car dropped down on the track. In this way the
car continued to run for at least two hun.
d,sS aa hsns Tna car up tns h. at
left her trucks entirely and gided along
the track for distance ploughing up the track
until it looked like new made garden and forcing
the closely together until they compacs
as il they had been placed in position for o plank
on the track. but the rear car. which also
left her truck, took different direction. and.
turning over ON her side plunged into tho river
Is four feet at low tide and fortunately the tide was
out at the time of the accident At high water the
all the passengers would inevitably have been
drowned. There were probably as MANY sixty OF
through the windows and sitting on the side OF the
car which was uppermost.
THE CONDUCTORS BRAVERY.
Mr.. Parsons, the conductor. this at tho
time and went with it into the river. He was badly
hurt. being cut below the eye and back
ing E % windows, lows 6u. Nv wounded % and ' bleeding h
as he he jumped into the river. and after sig
assisted the lady passengers to get ashore. The
gentlemen were compelled to wade to dry
sons wounds were Sy ps Dorace Of
New Hamburg. who found it necessary to stitch the
cut below the eye. The conductor had been in the
water long that he shivered Is II he had the aguo
during the operation. and it was found almost i'm
possible to keep him sufficiently quiet
The only person who was seriously hurt was
Nicanor Reuden, of Mexico. who cut about
the head. He brought to this city
and taken to the Westchester Hotel. where he lay
in a critical condition yesterday. Mrs. Holcombe.
old lady from Morris. Oswego county, also
severely bruised 1t was reported that James WEIGH.
Of the brakemon. had broken his log, but this
was an error. and he at work again yesterday
The Of the accident is attributed either to
broken wheel or broken rail. but the most likely
theory IL that the train light one, and that
in turning the curve 1t high rate Of
speed : the ratio being not less than
forty-fve miles hour-the left the
track. 1t was. however, this high speed that tho
passengers owe their lives. the coaches slid of
like pair OF skates instead Of being broken up.
would likely have been the case II the momentum
had not been great.