The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-02-11
TERRIFIC RAILROAD COLLISION.
Disastrous Results OF One Freight Train
Running Into Another.

NEw BRUNSWICK, n. j., Feb. TAT 5 O'Clock
this morning an extra freight train from Philadel
phia, owing TO a broken truck stopped upon the
bridge over the Raritsn River for repairs. While
waiting a through Southern freight, which left
Philadelphia at 1880 O'Clock last night, came
dashing along through the city, and not until
within 500 feet of the extra did the engineer IL
The brakes were applied to no purpose. Theengine
Of the freight struck the eaboose Of the extra ele.
seoped it, struck oil tank, of which there were
four in the train, and an explosion followed
The burning oil ana wrecked cars were thrown
over and down from the high bridge into the
streets below. The burning oil ran through the
cutters down the streets into RaTitan Canal. This
being covered with ice, the oil ran over and down
the canal to the wall paper manufacturing estab-
lishment Of Janeway & Co. This was soon totally
destroyed, together with seven dwellings oppO-
site. In the immediate vicinity of the collision
useo as a box factory by the Consolidated Fruit
Jar Company. This was destroyed, and the flames
then spread TO the main factory OF the company,
which was also totally destroyed. By O'CLOCK
this morning the flames were under control. The
woodwork OF the bridge was burned. The dam
age to the structure is not yet estimated.
Engineer French and Fireman Harrison. Of the
regular freight, jumped from the engine when
they saw the inevitable collision, and escaped
with but few bruises. brakeman on the front
OF the train, Frank Dumas, OF Kensington. Pa,
failed to jump. and was carried down In the
wTeckage into the street below, and was roasted
to death. Patrick DOugherty. a young mechanic
Of this city, fOolishly entered the burning build
ing OF Janeway & Co.. in search of tools, and has
not been seen since. 1t is feared he, too, became
a victim Of the most terrible fire this city ever
had. But for the favoring wind, the whole man
uiactuTing part of the city would have been
destroyed. At no point on the whole road
could the accident have occurred at so
disastrous place. The burning oil and cars were
literally poured over and flung upon the roofs of
the manufacturing establishments. Only a bat
tered locomotive ana an unexploded oil tank
stand upon the track.
1t is now thought that two brakemen on the oil
train were also burned TO DEATH
The loss is estimated at between $4,000 aud 81,
C0O.0OC. Fire gines were sent TO the aid OF the
burning city from Elizabeth and Jersey City.
Only one span of the bridge is damaged. The
bridge wss the finest on the Pennsylvania Road.
All travel on that road is greatly delayed long
detonIs have to be made.
lp, m.-The loss on Janewsy & Co.'s buildings,
stock and plant is Sl750O0 Insurance. sol 600. The
Consolidated Fruit Jar Company's loss is $500 000
fully insured The loss by railroad can not De as
Certained for lack OF willingness on the part oi
officials TO in part newS The loss on dwelling
houses is $1,000. The insurance is distrib ibu ted
smong large number of companies The bridge
is not weakened and trains are now running on
time.
One OF the burned buildings was a stable con.
tanning a number Of horses, all Of which were
burned to death.
The accident was caused by the carelessness o
the telegraph operator in not giving the proper
signals on the east side OF Raritan.