The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-01-07
THE WEEK.
In the United States and the
Old World.
THROWN OFF THE RAIL.
tcoident ON the New York and Ne
Haven Railroad.

tcoident ON the New York and New
Haven Railroad.
One of the most remarkable railroad acct
dents on record happened on the New York,
New Haven s Hartford Railroad, near Pei
hamvillc, Is miles E0m New York city. Only
one man-ihe 6remun-was killed, but tho
engineer and two mail agents were badly in.
Mred, and the Yes OF the others ON boald
were mraeuloLsy saved Tho tram
had left Boston at 1880 p. IN.
1t was made up Of mail car, two
baggage cars, two coaches and sleeper.
There was not an unoccuped berth or seat on
the tram when it passed New Haven, Tho
Itrong wind kept it few minutes behind
schedule time, so that when Engineer Phillips
neared Pelhamville it was running at tho ratio
of so miles an hour to make up what had been
lost. The truck was apparently clear, but
lust ms the train reached tho north end OF tho
long platform Mt Pelhamville, the south end
Of tho station was blown down by the wind
md toppled over on the track. 1t was I'M
possible to stop the locomotive, so it numbered
on into the pile of wreck and was dashed down
IN embankment so feet. 1t made complete
revolution in going down, the headlight
facing tho track as it lay on the ground. The
nail car followed the locomotive part oil the
way, but broke loose and fell far from it, All
ihe other ears were thrown from tho rails and
sotteIed to the very verge OF the embankment,
where they stopped. The coaches and sleeper
turned over on their sides, and would have
followed down the incline If they had gone six
feet farther Only the perfect action OF the air
brakes, which had been applied automatically,
avorted an accident which would have certainly
equaled the Ashtabula horror in the nnmoer
Vi killed.
Most OF those in the berths wero thrown by
the crash into the narrow aisles, where they
law in confused and excited heap until they
couid get their senses and realize the situation.
The majority were so frightened that they
could not stir for moment. Finally one
desperate man smashed a window pane with
his fist and pulled himself ont through tho
cash, scratching his hands and face ilightiuly.
Nobody else got out until the cars stol ped,
when the people broke down the doors and
many OF them, clad only in their night clothes,
scrambled ont into the almost freezing air.
Those who were dressed went to look Tor tho
wounded, while the others built a fire and
hudded around it until aid arrived Sud-
denly tall man burst in the rear CDR door
with blood streaming from his face. He
was Mail Agent Clark, and he sank into
seat. "For Gods sake save Turner, he is at
the bottom of the mail car" he cried, and
tainted. A dozen men jumped down the
emONnkment 10 nunt lof turner, AnO'ncr illhll
ngent The mai! car was n mass OF debris.
The brakeman could hear him say: "Hurry
boys; Pm bleeding terribly" but, though files
and axes were uscd it took 10 minutes to
find him. He was not fatally injured.
Engineer Phillips was only slightly scratched,
but Fireman Blake was found stretched on the
frozen ground almost lileless. a cot was
prepared, and, though it was piercing cold, the
half dressed tlrong crowded around to watch
Tor some signs of returning life. One Of the
brakemen tried in vain to drive them back,
and slight woman, clad in mourning, with
n face as white as snow, crept through to the
cot. "Stand back every one Of you and
give him air." she shouted as she placed his
head on her lap and gently stroked his pnld
forehead. "Poor fellow" said the engineer.
ale was only married four months ago, and
and talked all The night on this Tip about the
happy Christmas he hud passed with his wife"
The sufferers white face was as OF dead for q
while, when he became dclilions. ''Wc'll
make it, we'll make it, Ira" he cried sud
denly, sitting up aud staring wildly around.
"What makes YOU look at me SO? OH jump,
Jump for your life. It's all right Jenny, its
I'LL right" His voice sank into q whisper with
the last words, and his head fell back on the
little woman's np. Gle is dead" she said
softly, placing her lace handkerchief over his
face. A wrecking train arrived shortly alter.
ward, and took the passengers and the dead
tn York city