New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-13
ISLAND COLLISION.

fine drizzling rain fell on the tracks of the Long
Island Railway at Hunters Point yesterday, and
there was nothing left to remind one of the acci-
dent which had occurred few hours before, save
the blackened walls of a few shanties which have
edged themselves almost upon the track and which
were charred and stained by the flames and steam
that came from the wreck after tho collision.
Trains making regular time. II
was easy to understand how the accident
occurred when one stood at Vernon-ave and looked
toward the junction. where the collision took place.
For distance of about one hundred yards from the
entrance to the train yard two tracks run parallel
In eastery direction. At the crossing OF East
ave. stands light framework about twenty-five
feet in height, the top of which Is signal lam
tern The signal can be seen from the station, and
also for mile in the opposite direction. Between
these two points, and covering tract Of ground
not more than fifty feet In width and an ordinary
city block in length, lies network of switches
and the junction of the North Side and the Montauk
divisions of the railway. About midway between
the junction and Vernon-ave. short switch con-
meets the tracks which lead to the station. 10
was at this switch that the collision occurred Tho
Flushing train the north track and
Intended to continue its almost straight courss
to the left The Manhattan Beach train was
approaching by the south track, and, had not tho
the switch and landed its passengers safely at their
destination but such was the speed at which
the engine was going. that it Jumped the switch and
washurled by the cars following against the walt
Ing train. Although the number of tracks which lead
TO the station Is apparently inadequate for the ac-
commodauop of the 130 trains which enter and
leave the depot during each day. the accident is at
trbuted to only one cause.-the failure on the parf
OF the trainmen to lessen the speed of their train.
The wrecked cars and locomotive were removed to
the train ard late Tuesday night and in the morn
ing when the trainmaster visited them, he found
that the damage would amount TO about 1000.
SUPERINTENDENT BARTON's OPINION.
superintendent |. ID. Barton has assumed the di-
recton of gationin behalf Of the company.
He SAID to a TRIBUNE reporter in the afternoon
that lie was collecting statements
from all the persons concerned in the collision.
but he would not be prepared to make
them public until to-day. There is still no doubt
in my mind" continued Mr.. Barton, "that Engt,
neer Glenn Is responsible for tho collision, From
all the information have succeeded in obtaining.
the accident WAS due to the speed at which ths
Manhattan train continued to travel after leaving
the railway bridge, about half mile east OF ths
station Glenn's train was moving at the rate Of
twenty-five miles an hour, and be did not begin to
whistle until he had passed the bridge. The signal
10 worked on the block system, and when the red
light is shown at switch, the engineer is req lred
TO stop hl. train before he reaches the crossing
tracks. There rule of our company. familiar to
every IN our employ, that tho trains bound
west shah reduce speed to eight miles An hour at
Montauk Junction, and must receive the signal
| from tho switchman at Vernon-ave. before they
| proceed Aud from the time they leavo the bridge
| they must not exceed the Same rate OF speed.
Glenn did not observe this rule lie found
| that the air brakes between the paror car
and passenger coach had burst but be bad
conductor and two brakemen to put on brakes
We seldom have mors than tire. mon
on . passenger train, and they are suihcene
to stop train If they are signalled TO
do SO IN time. Tho company Is satisfied to meos
its obligations IN this matter. but IL does not wsn
to be blamed for things it is not responsible tor"
THE ENGINEER SUSTAINED BY TIE FIREaAN
It was rumored on Tuesday night that Micaael
Flanagan. the swltchman at the junction, had dis
appeared. but "A TRIBUNE reporter saw him A. his
post last evening He said that there was no reason
why he should seek to avoid the investigation into
he accident, for ne WAS conscious OF having done
MS duty IN every respect, having set the switch
correctly and sgnalled the approaching tralil De
said that he WAS so dazsd when he saw that the
collision was inevitable that he did not remember
tho slightest incident. Tho fireman Of the Man.
haitian Beach traln John A. Mclaughlin stood In
hIs cab and refused to follow Glenns OK
ample and jump to the ground; lie was
hjured ON tue spine aud across tne aDIowon.
When he met the reporter IN the afternoon he was
llmping slightly aud complained OF paln lie was
emphatic in his statements that Glenn whistled
down brakes" long before he arrived at the bridge.
and that lhe train was moving at tic rate OF only
about ten miles an hour. Inc Orakemeu, nc con.
nued " did not. am sure, touch the brakes, Tor IL
they had we should have felt the Jarrlng OF inc
wheels stood at my post until the crash came,
and then the coal IN the tender wa, tuInbled on me,
and was wedged between the cao ana the tanx.
| lost CONSCIOUSNESS, but when lresaned my senses
fouudlmy myselt lying III gutter. McLaughlin IN con,
rluded bv exOneratiug Glenn FROM all fault, and
,aid: What have said I'm willing TO swear to-"
Coroner RooInson was engaged all day IN trying
TO ascertain the names and addresses OIL NUMBER oI
persons whom he will summon as witnesses aI tne
trstimony of Leon Stedeker of No. 1.67S Avenue
A. Henry Mann, - Barney Aaron John Mahan, ana
All the employees Of tho railway MAO were III tns
| uel0hborhood of the accident when IL occurred.
Detective Me onald, VINO served warrant OK
arrest upon Glenn on tuesday nlgnt' acc0hp tnicu
the engineer to tOo Coroners omce yesterday after
noon i'm order to enable him TO procure Daii.
Coroner Robinson decided tina, $4,000 bail was
sufficient and THIS furnished. One OF Gienns
suretles is Thomas Cummings, OF No. IL Green
poluf-aye. In conversation with the reporter
Glenn was asked If McLaughiins statement was
correct in regard 10 the failure oil the DraSeen 20
answer his signal. He said: Il would mucn prefer
10 walt Tor the inquest before telling my story ous
will say this: that wnstled before came near
the bridge but there was lessenng Ia tue notion
of the Iraln When the passed upon the bridge
whisled repeatedly but there was rho no tra Iosa
n.d dom. their duty the accident would never
nave occurred. Tho reason OF the companys
charges against ME is. think, simply lame ex-
cuse 10 save itself from blame. | am only an en-
gineer aud although did all in my power 10 nave
he train stopped IN time, and did my duty to Ihs
best of my ability, am held responsible tor tns
Iearful accident. The company 10 not blamng the
night lnau, and know H."
DISPOSITION OF THE DEAD
No more deaths added to the list yesterday
but several additional injuries. not OF serious
character however, were reported The BODY OF
Meredith Norris, the young man " no died atter nav
,ng both legs amputated at Bellevue
in Plllaa