The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-03-21
A TRAIN CRUSHES HORSES.
Thrilling Accident at Kreb'S Station
Early This Morning.
TRANSFERS NARROW ESCAPE !
The Warning Whistle of a Locomotive
Frightened the Horses so That They Got
Beyond Control of the Driver and
Plunged in Front of the Train.

A thrilling accident occurred at about six
o'clock this morning at Krebs' crossing, in
the Catawissa Valley in which, two horses
were killed outright, and one injured so
badly that it was subsequently put to death,
and the driver in charge William Neiswenter,
of 1O5 North Jardin street. this town, had a
remarkable escape from death He is at his
home suffering from very painful, but not
dangerous injuries.
Neiswenter is employed as teamster for the
Shenandoah Powder Company. The horses
were owned by John Roberts, the liveryman
of town. Shortly after five o'clock this
morning Neiswenter started from Roberts
stable with a sleigh and four horses to go to
the powder company's mill in the valley
1t was his intention to bring load of powder
to town. The mill is located about half
mile from the place where the accident oc-
cured. There are two road branches at
Krebs. One turns to the right leading to
/ BmndOnville and the other in the opposite
direction and passes the powder mill. The
| road leading down the mountain to the fork
of the roads is very steep and there is a
sharp curve near Krebs station that shuts
the Philadelphia & Reading railroad from
view Neiswenter says that as he drove
down this hill he heard no bell or whistle,
but when he got in view Of and close
to the track he saw west-bound
freight train approach. The engineer
of the train at the same time caught
first sight of the team and sounded several
shrill blasts with the whistle. Neiswenter
was engaged in trying to halt the team, the
whistle frightened the two horses in the lead
and they dashed upon the track just as the
train reached the crossing. The two horses
were run down and drawn in under the
wheels of the engine. The sleigh and re-
naming horses were dragged along the
gutter at the side of the track by
the harness of the doomed horses
being entangled in the mechanism of
the engine. Neiswenter remained on the
sleigh to the very last with the hope that he
would be able to save the horses. As the
sleigh was dragged along he tried to escape
| but some part of car struck him on the
right side of the face and right arm, knock
ing him off the sleigh SO that he fell between
that vehicle and the train. 1t is considered
miraculous that he did not fall either under
| the wheels of the train, or under the sleigh.
The connecting harness eventually broke and
the train went on, leaving the two horses
/ and sleigh in the gutter at the side of the
track. The train had been running at such
/ q speed tnaJ II went SONIC ulHlduCc pdSJ Tue
crossing before the engineer stopped it The
/ train returned to the crossing, but there was
nothing the crew could do and after seeing
that the track was clear they proceeded on
their trip.
| Although Neiswenter received a terrible
| blow he did not lose consciousness and before
| the train returned to the crossing he had
walked to Krebs' store and there received tenn
porary attendance Shortly after a workman
from Roberts farm arrived with horse and
buggy and brought Neiswenter to town. DIR.
Callen was summoned. He found the right
side of the mans face was badly confused.
| The right eye was entirely closed and cut
above it required three stitches. The cheek
was greatly discolored and lacerated in sew
eral places. The right arm was also much
confused, but there were no fractures.
Mr.. Roberts estimates his loss by the ac-
cident at no less than $500. The horses killed
were the best he had in his stables. One, a
big gray, was a powerful animal recently
purchased and it is said $500 would have
been refused for him.
Upon learning of the accident Liveryman
Roberts went to Krebs' station and on re-
turning said that there is a chance for saving
the horse that was badly injured 1t suffered
no fractures but its legs are badly gashed and
bruised. The fourth horse was not injured
at all and was driven 10 Beaver Meadow this
| afternoon.