Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-06-03
Railroad Accident.
FULLER PARTICULARs-YOUNG
RUsHTON's BODY BROUGHT
HOME.-AJURY EMPANELED.
+ UL L INygSgGAfON.

enced in obtaining anything like a
correct account, as those who were sup
posed to be in possession of the facts
were very reticent, and reports from
others were very conflicting.
Last evening the following additional
particulars were obtained, and it looks
as though come one is to blame for the
blunder. William p. Kirk, engineer Of
No. 81, with q north. bound berry train
Of three cars was delayed, and arrived
at Clayton nearly three hours behind
time. Knowing that the down freight
was almost due, heintended TO lay over
at that point until 1t passed, but, 1t Is
said, was ordered to run to Middletown,
with the assurance that Rushlon, who
was engineer of No. 80 with the south.
bound train of four cars loaded with
flour and molasses, would wait until he
arrived. Thinking he had clear track
Kirk dashed ahead until he was within
q mile and q half OF Middletown, whom
lust ~ he rounded the st. Anne's curve
and entered the cut he was Mortified to
zee the other train dashing toward him.
Both he and Rushton whistled "down
brakes" and Kirk also reversed his
engine.
Seeing that collision was inevitable
the fireman and crew of Kinks train
jumped to the ground, but Kirk did not
leave his engine, until an instant be.
fore they collided, when finding it i'm.
possible to do anything further, he also
jumped Off and landed in a ditch along.
side of the road.
The crew on Rushton's train also
jumped off, and Rushton said to his
fireman, "jump, for Gods sake, jump"
but strange to say remained on the
engine himself. He had also reversed
his engine, and when the fireman
leaped off Rushton was standing with
one foot inside the cab, while the other
was on the footboard. Kinks engine,
No. 81, was low built, and Rushton's,
No. 80, seemed to run up on 1t, and
then fell back at right angles across the
track, while, Notwithstanding the
shock, Kirk's engine did not leave the
track.
In an instant everything was envel-
oped In a cloud of steam from No. 33,
but as soon as possible a search was in.
stituted for Rushton. In searching
among the wreck of his engine, Kirk
found what he at first thought was an
old coat, but which upon examination
proved to be the maDgled body of the
unfortunate engineer.
1t is probable he remained in the po-
sition he was. when last seen by his
fireman, until the engines collided,
when lie must have been dashed for
ward by the shock and landed near a
broken pipe, the steam from which
poured on his face and breast, scalding
him In terrible manner. A number
of his bones were broken, his stomach
torn open, and death must have been
instantaneous. The body was taken to
Mid ddletown, and after being cared for
as far as possible was sent 10 this
city, here il arrived at &. 6.40 o'clock last
evening.
1t was taken to Detective Jones' Office
at the p, w. & b. station, and Deputy
Coroner Smith, who was in waiting,
summoned the following jury John
Pyle, J.. W. Palmer, w. S. McNair, N.
Joseph, John Bowers, John Boulden
and A. G. Vernon. After being sworn
they organized by electing John Pyle
foreman, and w. s. McNair secretary
and adjourned until 3 O'Clock to-mor.
row afternoon.
RushtoA's body was then removed to
his late residence No. $40 Kirkwood
street. He was a son of Edward Rush
ton, who for many years has been fore
l.
in this city. He was "a years of age
has been married about three years
and leaves widow with one child
eight weeks old. He recently com
menced housekeeping, and paid ont
months s rent in advance. He had beer
in the employ of the company abou
eleven years, but was only given al
, engine little over month ago.
Brakeman John Hitch struck ON {
pile Of cross ties when he jumped, ant
was injured on his head. william
Dugan, Rushton's fireman, was als'
lslightly injured, and flagman Carol
was badly bruised.
Kirk found his clock under the en-
gine, stopped, with the hands pointin
to 3 10 O'Clock, showing that must hav
been the time when the engines cam
together. The brakes were also fOun,
on all his cars, and 1t Is not though
that his train was moving at speed Q
over ten miles an hour when they col
lided.
Superintendent Mills was early OF
the ground and sent at once to this cit
and Clayton for wreckers. A numbe
arrived from the latter place in a shor
time, and gang from here reaches
, the spot about 8 o'clock. The wreckag
was removed to one side and the tracl
' cleared, 80 that at 12.45 p. m. train
commenced to pass, and those whicl
l had been delayed for several hours a
y Clayton and Middletown, were able t,
, start for their destinations.
/ Several lawyers and others whit
started for Dover at 9. 80 yesterday morn
ing to be present at the Court of Error
and Appeals did not arrive there unit
9 O'Clock in the afternoon.
The accident had the effect of DRAWN
, a large number of persons from Clayton
MidO letown and the surrounding coun
try, to the scene, and while some assis
ted in clearing away the wreck, otheri
helped themselves to whatever the,
;, could carry off. Strawberries by th'
box and crate were carried off by color
ed people and others, some of whom
sold their pluHder as low as two cents
also removed inspite of the protests o
v the railroad men. The wreckers re
Z mained on the ground al! day ,and one Q
the engines, both of which were.terribl.
n broken, was brought to this city las
" night. The railroad men are very reti
10 cent concerning the disaster, but tn
o loss will be very heavy. 1t is nc
known where the management locate
o the blame for the collision, but
l. searching ivestigation will be made
i An old railrcader upon being asked b
}, a reporter what in his opinion cause
the accident, replied briefly. simpl.
=. too much business for single track.
ExcurslOn.