The daily gazette. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1874-1883, 1881-11-05
FATAL FOLLY.
Two Men Killed at Claymont by
Attempting to Cross the II. II
Track In Front Of Train. 4

Attempting to Cross the II. n
Track In Front of Train. 4
John Quigley and VIM. Forwood
were killed at Claymont, eight miles
above this city, last evening, while
attempting to drive in a wagon across
the track of the p, W. & B. r., in
front of an approaching train.
The accident happened about seve n
O'Clock. The train was one from tn o
Delaware Railroad, which leaves this
city at 6.38 o'clock, usually in connec
tion with the New York and Wash
ington express, but the latter being
late the Delaware train went on alone.
AS no stop was to be made at Clay
mont, it ran past that station at a
rapid rate.
Forwood and Quigley were employ,
ed by VIM. Casey, merchant of
Claymont, and were at the freight
house, about fifty yards above the
station, loading goods on a heavy
wagon. just as they moved away the
whistle of the approaching train was
hear d, but they apparently thought
they had ample tune to get across as
they kept right along the road, which
at this place runs almost parallel with
the railroad, short distance before
crossing it. Seeing their danger the
station agent, VIM. Walton, called out
to them to stop. They heard him,
and for an instant needed his call, but
through some inexplicable impulse
and without turning around to look,
again started their horses. A second
time Mr.. Walton cried out to them,
when thep were scarcely more than a
dozen feet from the track, and then
they appeared to realize their danger,
when it was too late. Whether they
were unable to stop the horses or be-
came helpless from fright, will never
be known, but the team kept right on
until 1T struck the track just as the
train came rushing by.
The collision was a terrific one. The
wagon was lifted clear from the track
and literally dashed to pieces, the
contents and fragments of the wreck
being scattered along both sides of tho
track for twenty or thirty feet. Both
horses we're killed, ona being horribly
mangled and dashed against the other
with violence that caused almost IT,
stant death, while both were torn
from the vehicle aud thrown distance
of twenty-five feet.
The unfortunate occupants of the
wagon had no opportunity to escape
and shared the fate of the horses.
Quigley was struck in the head, prob
ably by some of the flying fragments,
and BY the violence of the shock was
thrown full twenty feet, and tell be-
tween the two tracks. His death was
almost instantaneous, as he simply
gasped two Or three times when he was
picked up. Forwood fell close to
Quigley, with the back of his head SO
horribly mashed that the brains es-
capped, presenting ghastly and sick
ening sight.
The train was stopped Immediately
after the collision, the engine having
suffered no damage whatever. The
passengers quickly got out and viewed
the awful scene.
The two human victims were removed
to the station by ricket-agent Il. NJ. Law
son as soon as could procure assistance,
and Forw ood, who was still alive, was
taken, on \ stretcher to his home, about
a mile away. DIR. j. d. Cardeza was
promptly sent for, but 1t was case
where medical skill was of no avail
Without recovering consciousness For
wood died about IL O'Clock at night.
News of the accident was promptly
wired to this city, and Coroner Weldin,
accompanied by special officer Jones,
went up on special car, and the Coro-
ner at once held an irquest on the body
of Quigley, empane.ing the following
jury Or. j. M. Gardeza, j. e. Addicks,
W. Hendrlckson, E. s. Ely, r. Rose
borough, William Ross, and A. 8. Ed
wards.
After hearing the evidence OF Messrs.
Lawson and Walton, and two or three
others who saw the affair, the jury rem
dered verdict of accidental death fully
exonerating the engineer and other
railroad employees from all blame. The
jury also adopted recommendation to
the fact that the crossing here, which is
an extremely dangerous one by reason
OF the road making an abrupt curve
both above and below 1t, be protected
by gates and watchman stationed
there constantly.
Quieley's body was brought to this
city later In the evening and laid in the
dead house to await the disposition of
the Railroad officials. Up to noon to-
day his body remained at the dead house
and nothing had been learned about
him except that he came from the neigh
borhood of Middletown or Odessa. He
had been with Mr.. Cssey at Claymont
for about year. Forwood was about
80 years old, and leaves wife, but no
children. He was the owner of the
team, which he hired to Casey frequent.
ly for the transpo rtation of goods.
He was the youngest son OF Jehu For
wood, q we'll known farmer of Brandy
wine Hundred, and brother in.law of
Mr.. Casey, tor whom he worked.
As Coroner Weldin left Claymont
before Forwood died, he went
up again, this morning, on the $40 train,
by Special Officer Jones
and held the inquest.