The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-15
A FRIaHTFUL ACCIDENT.
A Huge Derrick Falls Upon Street
Car Full of People.

Car Full OF People.
NEW York, Feb. IA There was fright
full accident in Brooklyn this morning
which caused the death Of three persons
and the injury OF number more.
Along Broadway section OF the Union
elevated railroad is now in the course Of
construction. A huge steam derrick is
used in building this section. Itismount-
ed on broad, wooden wheels, with slight
fange, which fit the longitudinal girders.
The derrick is pulled along the girdes as
each section is completed.
This morning the section at the junction
at Broadway and Park avenue was COM
pleted and preparations were made to pull
the derrick along to the next section,
where the cross-beams were to be holsted
to the road from the ground.
The ropes were attached 10 the derrick
and the machinery set in motion, thus
pulling the derrick along.
The longitudinal girders were rivoted at
the bottom, but not at the top, and the
derrick had been pulled but short dis
lance when the girders began TO spring
outward, Just az the rail is sometimes
spread through defective fastenings.
Just at that moment horse car OF the
Reid and Atlantic avenue limo was APP
preaching the section.
There were not many passengers in il.
The driver did not appear 10 notice what
was going on overhead, and il he heard
the shout that arose, he was too late 20
pay any heed TO il.
The great derrick crushed in the girders,
totterod moment, and then fell, striking
the horse car 30 as 10 exactly cut IL in two.
There was crunching, crashing sound Of
wrenched iron plouwing through wood,
the roar OF escaping steam from the boiler
Of the derrick. and commingled mass Of
broken iron, splintered wood, etc.
From under the ruins not sound arose,
and IL was apparent that every human be-
ing therein confined was either dead or
unconscious The fire department was
called out and ambulanoes were sent for.
Owing 10 the steam and heat from the
boiler OF the derrick, IL was impossible for
awhile TO do anything in the way OF re-
moving the wreckage or getting at the ST.
lent victims OF the accident. The officers
made inquiries which, when siited, indi-
Gated that at least seven persons were
buried beneath the ruins.
| iucbo Ntft tnc uflNtf VI tht CiIt tuo
conductor, a 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
released. Those who were unable 10 90
home were carried 10 hospitals. Follow
ing Is the list OF killed and wounded:
Killed--Frederick Thompson, driver Of
the car; Charles Kirchner and Patrick
Clark.
Injured Jacob Bender, fracture Of
right thigh and wrist; William Nichols.
scalp wounds; John Duane, dislocatcd
shoulder; Charles Poskurg, back injured;
Matthew Monitor, leg fractured; Thomas
Gafncy, fractured ankle; Edward Pite,
broken chin; John fncl. scalp wound;
Mary Young, contusiono Of the body; jacob
Fricl, skull fractured and iatally injured;
Morcn Member, leg fractured; Thomas j.
Cassidy, leg fractured.
Slightly InJured-GeorgcD Davidson, John
Mechan and Charles fosdick, all workmen
on the elevated road.
Thompson, the unfortunate driver who
lost his fife, took the place Of the regular
driver for ono trip, the latter having n sort
OF prcmonition oil danger.