Evening journal., 1896-11-03
NET A TERRIBLE DEATH
Fireman Courtney Horrib ly
Crushed Beneath His Engine.
he DROVE INTO THE sLUIOE

HE DROVE INTO THE sLUI0E
THE ENGINE OVERTURNED, BURY
ING COURTNEY-CR OF THE
HORSES HEARD SQUARES AWAY.
1T WAS A HEART RENDING
SCENE.
A horrible accident, the result Of RI
valry between the Phoenix and Friend
ship companies, occurred here last
night. About S.55 o'clock an alarm of
fire was struck from box No. 81, near
Thirteenth and Claymont streets, and
the district companies responded. The
Phoenix left It's house with Oliver
Courtney as substitute driver. James
Patterson, the regular driver, was alb
sent attending a meeting. Knowing
the Friendship would give him q race,
Courtney drove the engine for all IL
was worth, and just at Sixteenth and
Market streets was reached, down came
the Friendship Mt a terrific gait. Court
ney whipped the horses, but the pace
set by the Friendship Company
was too much, and both met on Market
street bridge which spans the Brandy
wine.
Then came the battle for supremacy.
Courtney, in his mad attempt TO outdO
the rival company, did not see the open
sluice which is being built at Eigh-
teenth and Market streets. The pit is
q great piece of work and is for the
purpose Of carrying the water running
from the race to Lees mills. Both
companies made the final dash across
taiy f1.,
ern side, while the Friendship steered
to the east side. Too late Courtney
saw the great danger, and with
scream down went the engine and
horses, with Courtney strapped to the
seat.
A SCENE OF HORROR.
The men who were on the back OF
the engine jumped in time to save their
lives, while the hose cart OF the COM
pany cleared the place Soon big
crowd collected but with such a mass
OF stones and dirt, together with the
weight Of the engine, nothing could be
done to help the unfortunate man. To
add to the horror a battle ensued be-
tween the horses, which were kicking
each other to death Their cries and
neighs could be heard several squares
liberated and made bold plunge for
freedom
As the engine fell over the embank-
ment IL broke a large water main and
before Il could be stopped the pit was
flooded with water to the depth OF four
feet. Picks were secured and way
cut which drained the water of, but
Courtney was dead.
The news OF the accident spread
about the city, and Captain Kane. with
a squad OF officers arrived on the
Z scene, and work to extricate the dead
E fireman began in earnest
] Ropes were secured from Lea's mills
{ and were tied TO the engine, and at
. least 500 men worked with a Will, but
to no avail. Captain Kane telephoned
for the wrecking train OF the p, W. &
b. railroad. and It was only after sew
eral attempts and failures that the
wreck was finally hoisted.
Courtney's body lay deeply buried in
the mud. and was with much difficulty
brought to the surface. The scene which
, followed was one which will never be
forgotten by those who Witnessed it.
Men, women and children moaned and
cried. The dead mans comrades. as
the mangled remains were unearthed,
wept aloud
A HORRIBLE DEATH.
Courtney's death was terrible in the
extreme, and especially following so
soon upon that OF Fireman McNeal
whose tragic end startled the city
Courtney's back and left arm were
broken. his chest and shoulder were
crushed. one eye bulged completely out
Of the socket and the other. which was
sunk in his head, was crushed to a
Jelly. Deputy Coroner Chandler was
notified and took charge OF the body
and will hold an inquest. At a late
hour last night the body was removed
10 the homo OF James Patterson, No.
1914 King street.
) THE DEAD FIREMAN.
Oliver II. Courtney, the dead fire.
man. was a son Of the late Henry
Courtney, OF Diamond Match fame. He
was about 81 years OF age genial, and
, OF an arable disposition. He was well
liked by all who knew him.
About the fire house last night there
was gloom. Some of the members are
indignant, and blame the watchman
Z for neglect of duty An eye witness Of
the accident said that the watchman
Z was there and called to Courtney to
| luOk out.
The funeral will take place on Thurs
day afternoon, from the residence OF
c. f. Tanguy. No. 104 West Twelfth
street The remains will be taken to
? Chester for interment.
GOOD POLICE WORK.
The work Of the police. under Cap
r tain Kane, last night was highly COM
q mendable. Had It not have been for
their timely arrival and the amount OF
r work accomplished by them, more seri-
Il ous results might have followed.
h The fire engine is total wreck.
THE FIRE WAS SLIGHT.
s The fire was caused by a defective
= lue at the residence OF Abel Hughes.
!. The flames were extinguished by the
d chemical engine The damage was SIS.
There was no insurance.
e SOME ELECTION BETS.