Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-06-08
A EAST TRAINS CRASH.
WRECKED WHILE GOING FIF.
TY-FIVE MILES AN HOUR.
THE AFTERNOON TRAIN FROM NEW YORK
JUMPS A swITCH-Two PERSONS KILL.
ED AND SEVENTEEN INJURED.

hn AM oEN ENTEEN INJURED,
A fast express train from New York
to Philadelphia, while travelling at the
rate OF fifty.fve miles an hour, struck
switch, which jolted two coaches of
their trucks, on Monday of last week,
to SOth ult., resulting in two deaths
and injuries to seventeen others. The
train leaves Jersey City at 3:2O P. NJ,
and usually reaches the West Phila.
delphia depot at 5;15. Travel was
light on Mondaybecause ofthe holiday.
Engine No. 724 left Jersey City in
charge of engineer Osmund, hauling q
combination car, Pullman parlor car
and three passenger coaches. In the
parlor car were fifteen passengers, and
in the coaches which followed were
sixty-seven passengers, including the
Harrison Troupe, Topsy ycnn, leading
lady of Rice's Surprise Party, and SEN
ator Roberts, of Crawford county, this
State.
Conductor Louis Silanoe, who had
charge OF the train, says it was NOV.
ing along between fiity-fvo and sixty
miles an hour and was on time, or at
least was not minute behind, when
the engine struck siding switch near
Bears Swamp, q few miles beyond
Trenton, The exceedingly short and
sharp curve gave the engine a severe
jolt, but it kept the track. Tho tender
jumped off the track, however, but so
great was the momentum of the train
that after the tender had been hauled
a rod or more it struck the rails again.
The combination car and the heavy
Pullman car clung to the track, while
the wheels under the first Of the three
coaches which followed the Pullman
jumped the switch. The forward part
of the train was now dragging the
first coach toward the siding, while
the trucks passed from under il and
allowed it to fall on the side, jolting
sharply over the rails and tics and
breaking it in pieces. The rear truck
of this car collided with the following
coach and caused the greatest damage,
killing Mr.. Augustus Ruttor instantly.
The two cars were completely wreck.
ed and broken up, whilc the last car
was pretty well battered.
The passengers in the rear coaches
first felt jolt, then the seats flew and
and the people were thrown in all di.
rections. Mr.. G. p. Bealston, Of Pitts.
burgh, had baby in his arms. A
timber struck tho fathers head, com.
pletely scalping him. The baby was
tossed by the conclusion into the lap
of Mr.. P. ii. Deacon, of New York.
who found himself and baby jammed
through the window and landed on
the ground with their heads in the
mud.
Occupying forward scat in tho
Iourth car were Mr. Augustus Rutter,
a book keeper, living at 635 Morris
street, Philadelphia, and employed
At Ditman's stationery establishment,
Sixth and Jayne. Mr.. Rutter's wife
was seated by his side with their baby
n her lap. The truck of the third
'ar collided with the following car and
dashed Mr. Ruttor under the wheels
where his liieless body was found i'm.
nediately aiterward. The wife was
BADLY shocked, but otherwise uniniur.
ID, while the baby was thrown thirty
Get distant 1t was also uniniured.
Mrs. l.. Pennington, an old lady of
"a years, living on Fortieth street, be- ,
ow Spruce, was accompanied by her
granddaughter. The shock Frustrated
he old lady, and she died by the time
Trenton had been reached. Her ,
granddaughter is credited with great
'resence of mind in caring for her aged !
barge and helping other passengers