Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-12-07

WHITE HAVEN, Pa, Dec. 2.-Early this
morning two freight trains colhded on the
Lehigh Valley road in the heart of town.
The flames communicated to the Ruhnke
Hotel, and one of the worst contiagrations
which has visited here in many years took
place.
The trains were manned by non.union
men and no one knows them here. 1t was
about o'clock this morning. A heavy
train came down the mountain at good
speed. When the level was reached lust
above the town, 1t seems the engineer put
on a full head Of steam and the green
trainmen failed to release the brakes with
the result that the train parted in three
places. Instead of repairing the break,
the engineer, with a portion of his train,
sped away, leaving the cars behind on the
main line, the latter, after running short
distance, stopped just in the middle of
town.
A trainman left the caboose and went
back short distance to flag approaching
trains. He was, IL is said, not more than
90 yards from his train when engine III,
drawing train of freight cars, dashed
around the curve at speed of 90 miles an
hour. To stop was impossible and in an
other moment the engine struck the sta
tiouary train with tremendous force, turn
ingthe huge completely around.
The momentum OF the train drove the cars
later fell mass of broken timber.
Those who witnessed the collision had
barely realized what had occurred when
flames burst from the wreck. A heavy
wind was blowing at the time and it was
not long before the entire mass was envel-
oped in fire. Citizens hurried to the scene
in hundreds and the widest excitement
prevailed.
The fire had already communicated to
the Ruhnke Hotel, which stood nearby.
The wreck was deserted for the time and
all energies directed to save the hotel
guests. This, it is believed, was accom-
plished.
The fury of the flames could not be
checked and W. T. Kicker store was next
burning iiercely. From there the fire
spread to the large livery stable owned by
Edward Cramer of Easton.
For a time it looked as if the town was
doomed, but fortunate change in tho
wind gave the firemen an advantage and
the flames were then gotten under control.
Attention was again turned to the wreck.
-Four cars of grain and flour were still
burning.
FIRE BREAKS OUT AGAIN.
WHITE HAVEN, Pa, Dec. 1.-The fire
which was subdued and supposed to be
under control, broke out again at 80 and
has extended, resulting in the burning of
the buildings which comprised the entire
block. In addition to the structures de-
stroyed as outlined in previous dispatch,
the following were consumed by the
second breakout: Smiths Hotel, briggs
Hotel, briggs drug store, G. w. Rooms
dry goods store. Fischer's jewelry store,
Foerchner's iewelry store and several
dwellings.
EAsToN, Pa, Dec. 2.-The dorothy"
President Wilbur's private engine, known
as the 300" was smashed in q peculiar
f1Nn
The Dorothy" has been used during
the strike by the officials for despatch
duty. This morning engine 1872 was sent
down the Easton and Amboy division to
assist at the Bloomsbury wreck. 1t fol-
lowed too close to coal train and ran into
it at Green's Bridge.
The engineer reversed and he and the
fireman jumped. The reversed engine ran
back wards and dashed in Phillipsburg, N.
j.. at a mile-a-minute rate. At Stockton
street, it met the dorothy" and tossed its
tank upon her. The engineer and fireman
jumped just before the collision. Both
engines were thus left to themselves.
The big No. 1872 pushed the dorothy
through Phillipsburg over the Delaware
bridge, past the Easton station, through
the South Easton yards and had almost
reached the found house when coal train
going east was met. The Dorothy was
smashed between the two engines.
No. 1872 was badly damaged. No one was
hurt IN the wreck at Green's Bridge which
started the series of collisions. The ca
boose and several coal cars were smashed.
The three damaged engines were taken TO
the shops.
NoN.UNIoN MEN FAILURE.
WILKEsBARRE, Pa, Dec, 1.-The many
wrecks on the Lehigh Valley has ten.
dency to keep the strikers firmly united.
A.
that the Company cannot operate the
Wyoming division of its road with any
degree of success with its non-union force
of employees. The wreck at White Haven
to-day will alone cost the company no less
than $35 900, and has delayed all passen-
ger traffic.
snow fell in this city and the surrounding
country since Saturday night. The Lehigh
strikers are delighted at the prospects of a
snow blockade which, they say, added to
the incompetency of the green men, will
completely paralyze traffic.
Another batch of new men arrived from
the west yesterday, and were sent east
Passengers are com planning loudly at the
delay experienced on the Lehigh.
Chief Arthur of the Engineers Brother
hood is expected here from Cleveland to-
day.
CAN'T STAND THE SEVERE COLD.
WILKEsBARRE, Pa, Dec. 4.-Yesterday's
violent snow and sleet storm was followed
by intense cold weather last night and to
day, which put the tracks of the demon
allied Wyoming division of Lehigh Val
ley railroad in everything but a good con
dition. Crusts of ice formed on the surface
of the steel, which made IL difficult mat
ter to move trains. Up to IL O'Clock thi'
morning, no attempt was made TO move
coal and freight.
The branch track over the mountain
from Pittston TO Fairview has been aban
doned altogether. The branch is probably
the most hazardous place for railroadine
in the United States, the grades being s.
feet to the mile and only the most expert
enoed crew can pull train over it witt
safety. To get stalled on the side of tbt
great hardship for railroaders, who arr
exposed TO the severe northwest winds.
Many of the new men who came her,
TO take places of the strikers were poorly
clad and they are in no condition 10 stant
siege of cold weather. In consequence
many of the non-union men have qui
work and accepted the invitation to spent
their time in their cosy headquarters.
THE STRIKE DECLARED OFF.
!. EAsToN, Pa, Dec. GA dispatch re
ceived by the Lehigh Valley railroad
officials here this morning, from Genera
Manager Voorhees,, says;
"Strike declared off; make no chang
In existing conditions"
THE OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENTS.
BETHLEHEM, Pa, Dec. 6.-The cor
,respondence which passed between
President Wilbur and the State Boar
of Arbitration, and which settled tn