Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-03-12
SAD FATE OF FOUR MEN.
A CREW ON THE D. S. & S. RAILROAD
HURLED INTO ETERNITY.
Engineer Chambers. Fireman Stewart,
Brake men Boyle and O'Donnell In
stantiy Killed and William Timney
Seriously Injured by an Explosion.

Seriously Injured by an Explosion.
Shortly after 1 o'clock yesterday af-
ternoon the boiler of D. S. & S. engine
No. 4 exploded near Gum Run, on the
Derringer branch of the road, killing
four men and injuring another. All
were residents of Freeland. The dead
are:
John Chambers, engineer, Front street.
Jonas Stewart, fireman, Centre street.
Frank p. O'Donnell, brakeman, Wash
ington street.
Michael Boyle, brakeman, Ridge street.
William j. Timney, conductor Centre
street, was seriously injured, and Henry
Tully hagman, Adams street, is suffer-
ing from nervousness brought on by the
shock.
Engine No. was engaged in taking
out passenger train in the morning
and returning with the same every even
ing. During the day the crew hauled
coal from Derringer to Roam. A small
train of coal cars was attached to the
,engine at the time of the explosion.
The train started from Gum Run yard
anu Wuo moNihS eioWiy' ho hOh Huu
just completed their MONDAY meal.
Engineer Chambers and Brakeman Boyle
were in the cab and Fireman Stewart
and Brakeman O'Donnell stood on the
tender.
Before the tower was reached Con-
ductor Timney stepped to the front of
of the engine to receive orders from the
operator. After receiving these he re-
manned on the fore part of the locomo-
tive looking over his instructions. Flag
man Tully was sitting on the rear car of
the train.
The train proceeded slowly up the
road distance of about $50 feet, when
suddenly, without the slightest warning
whatever, the boiler burst. The engi-
neer, fireman and two brakemen were
killed outright and were thrown some
distance from the track. The conductor
was also hurled off the locomotive, but
miraculously escaped the fate of his
companions The hagman was knocked
off the cars to the ground below.
The noise of the explosion attracted
the attention of the telegraph operator
at the tower He summoned assistance,
and the sight that met the eyes of the
first arrivals upon the scene was terrible.
The bodies of the five men were scatter
ed about, and hasty examination show
ed that none but the conductor was
alive.
The engine and tender were literally
blown to pieces. Parts of them were
found 100 yards away from where the
accident happened. Nothing remained
in position but the wheels. The rails
underneath were twisted and torn, and
the telegraph wires overhead were part
ed. The scene baflled description.
The bodies of the dead were immedi-
ately cared for and given all the atten-
tion possible at that spot. All of them
are more or less disfgured. Stewart is
probably the most mangled about the
body, being disemboweled but O'Don-
nell is the worst about the head. Cham
Hers and Boyle have many cuts and
gashes. The bodies arrived here shortly
after 8 o'clock last night and were inn
mediately taken to the homes OF the
men.
A special train conveyed Conductor
Chimney to Hazleton hospital. The ply
scians there pronounce his injuries seri-
Gus, but not likely to be fatal. His
right instep was struck by some weighty
article, and until the swelling is reduced
it will not be known If the foot is broken.
He received severe cash across the
nose, and a large cut on the back of the
head. His condition at present is very
favorable to recovery. He was filling
the position of p. II. Hanlon, the regular
conductor, who is i'll.
Superintendent Smith reached the
scene as soon as possible. He could
give no explanation as to the cause of
the accident. The engine was consider
ed reliable one, and the men in charge
were experienced railroaders. Deputy
Coroner McCoombs will hold an inquest,
and the railroad company will have an
investigation made. The loss of the
engine amounts to about $4,000.
The news of the accident caused great
excitement here. The fact that all the
men resided IN JOWn auueu 10 JHe Sdu-
ness of the affair. 1t was the first great
catastrophe on the road.
The company's officials and the rail-
readers speak highly of the ability of
the entire crew. They were regarded
among the most trustworthy men on the
road. Personally, all were held in high
esteem by their acquaintance in town
and wherever they were known. Their
sudden death is sincerely regretted by
the community.
John Chambers was aged about 81
years. wife and four children sur
vive him. He was member of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
and seyeral heneficial ORGANIZATIONS