The Jamesburg record., 1889-04-20
A NARROW ESCAPE.
SIX LIVES IN DANGER.-Two HORSES
KILLED.


An accident, which for the moment
threatened six lives, happened on We'd.
nesday morning at the Church street
crossing Of the railroad. Mr.. F. IL.
Perrine's stage and team met the 9:35 l..
NJ. trains at the uptown station and
gathering up three ladies aud boy,
started OH its way to the Reform School,
it being visiting day. The train for
Freehold and the shore also started to-
ward the lower station and at the cross
ing named overlook the stage and its
occupants. Mr.. Perrine was inside the
stage, collecting fares, and the driver,
hearing nothing, and thinking the train
bad gone down before. turned his team
aid attempted to cross the track. AS he
did SO he sighted the train only few feet
he pulled to the left, hoping to clear the
track. He was partially successful, the
stage and near horse being nearly clear of
the track. The thing happened SO
quickly that the engineer could only give
his whistle two short toots before he
struck. The off horse was in the middle
of the track and got the full force of the
engine, the near horse receiving Siding
blow that shattered his ribs and knocked
him off the track. The off horse reared
as he was struck and was cut in two, his
bowels protruding from the back. He
was pushed and rolled for about 40 yards
and fell on the south side of the track.
By this time the train was stopped and
the passengers rushed pell-mell TO the
scene of the accident. The stage stood
about Is inches from the track, three
sobbing and terrified women and two
frightened men and boy showed clearly
in their faces how near they had come
to death. A closer examination showed
that to the shattered whiffietree they
owed their escape. Had not this given
way the train must have dragged the
stage and its load along the whole 40
yards between the crossing and where it
was stopped. and the result may be
readily imagined. The near horse was
hurled against the wire fence, but quick
ly regained his feet and dashed away to
the swamp below. The off horse regain
ed his feet once, a terrible sight, but
quickly fell again, and was soon merci-
fully put out of his misery. The driver
of the stage, William McKenna, was
thrown out on the horse that was
killed, but in some way rolled off on the
ground unhurt. The engine grazed the
stage and knocked 1t somewhat, wrench
ing the front wheel out OF shape. After
fully examining into the hurts or damage
to the passengers and conveyance Con-
ductor Bogia gave the signal for the train
to go on. Mr.. Perrine gathered up his
broken harness secured his other horse
and went home. Concerning the remain
ing horse the bystanders differed, some
contending that it was seriously injured
internally, others that it was only
scratched. At nine O'Clock the same
night it died. This horse was known
as Colonel" and was great favorite
about town, being nice, stylish driver
and fine saddler. The horse that was
left on the railroad property was taken
away on fiat car by gang of railroad
men on Thursday morning.
We understand Mr.. Perrine has pre-
sented his case to Supt. Barnard, making
claim for damages. and ifit is a reasonable
one we have no doubt but that it will be
promptly paid. Both horses were valu-
able, while the damage to the stage aud
harness was considerable. The accident
was witnessed by a large number OF
people, several ladies nearly swooning at
the sight.