The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-15
CRUSHED By A FALLING DERRICK.
A Brooklyn Street-Car Broken to Pieces in
an Instant and Four Persons Killed.

New YORK, Feb 14-There was frghtfu1
accident in Brooklyn, this morning. which
caused the death of three persons and the in
jury Of number more. Along Broadway q
section of the Union Elevated railroad is now in
course of construction. A huge steam derrick
is used in building this section. 1t is mounted
on broad wooden wheels, with slight fange
which fit the longitudinal Orders. The derrick
is pulled along the Orders as each section
is completed. This morning, the section
at the junction of Broadway and Park avenue
was completed. and preparations were made
TO pull the derrick along to the next
section, where the cross-beams were to be hoist
ed to the road from the ground The ropes
were attached to the derrick and the machinery
set in motion, thus pulling the derrick along.
The longitudinal Orders were riveted at the
bottom, but not at the top. and the derrick had
been pulled but short distance when the grid
ers began to spring outward: just as the rail is
sometimes spread through defective fastenfngs.
just at that moment a horse car of the Reid and
Atlantic-avenue line was approaching the Sec
ton. NJ There were were not lot many PASSENGERS IN
notice what was going on overhead.
il he heard the shout that arose, he was too late
to pay, any heed TO it. The great derrick
crushed in the Orders. tottered a moment and
then fell, striking the horse-car so as to exactly
cut it in two. There branching, crashing
sound of wreuched iron ploughing through
boiler of the derrick. and q commingled mass of
broken iron. splintered wood etc. From under
the ruins not a sound arose. and it was apparent
that every human being therein confined was
either dead or unconscious. The fire depart
mont was called out. and ambulances were sent
for. Owing to the steam and the
heat from the boiler of the derrick, it
was impossible for while to do anything
in the way OF removing the wreckage or getting
at the silent victims of the accident. The off,
GERS made inquiries. which. when sifted, indi-
Gated that at least seven persons were buried
beneath the ruins. These were the driver of
the car the conductor, man, woman and
child, and two workmen who were carried down
with the derrick. Finally the debris was
cleared away and the dead and wounded re-
leased. Those who were unable to go home
were carried to hospitals. Following is the list
of killed and wounded:
Killed-Frederick Thompson, driver Of the
car; Charles Kirchner. Patrick Clark.
Injnred-Jacob Bender, fracture Of right thigh
and wrist; William Nichols scalp wounds; John
Duane dislocated shoulder; Charles Poskurg,
back injured; Mathew Monitor, leg fractured;
Thomas Gaffney, fractured ankle; Edward Pite,
broken chin; John Friel scalp wound; Mary
Young, confusion of body; Jacob Friel. skull
fractured and fatally injured; Moren Member,
leg fractured; Thomas j. Cassidy, leg fractured,
slightly injured; George Davidson, John Meehan
and Chas Fosdick. all workmen on the elevated
road.
Thompson, the unfortunate driver who lost
his life took the place of the regular driver for
one trip, the latter having sort Of premonition
of danger.