Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-03-05
THE RAILROAD ACCIDENT
Investigation Of the Collision That
Occurred Near Blackblrd.
A COURT OF INQUIRY AT CLAYTON
Verdict Respecting the Death
of Brakeman Shaw.
ENUMERATION OF RAILROAD COMPANY

road collided near Backbird about 2
O'Clock Saturday afternoon, and Engi-
neer James Murtha of No 53i East
Seventh street, aud Brakeman William
X. Shaw Of No. 523 East Third Htreut
were killed and Brakeman M. j. lIich-
man and Fireman George Wyman Of
this city and Brakeman Il. T. Mossicls
of Franklin City were slightly injured.
The accident was evidently tho result
OF conflicting orders, but whether or
not anybody is at fault the railroad
officials will not say, and outsiders
seem unable 10 place tho blame. As
far as can be learned work train
which had been running on the Queen
Anne 81 Kent railroad was switched on
the main line at Clayton and started
for Townsend, where the train usually
remains over night. Orders had been
given, it ia stated, for the Queen Anne
train TO proceed tho track having
been reported clear. In front OF the
engine were two cars, and behind it
was the tender.
A freight train Of 10 cars, which
was proceeding south, continued on
past Townsend, tho impression being
that the track was clear. just what
orders were given ia known only to
persons in the railroad service and
they are reticent. However, the con
ductors of both trains thought they
bad the right Of way, and the trains
came together 10 a fog near Backbird.
Engineer Murtha OF the Houthbound
train was thrown under the cars and
ecalded TO death, Brakeman Shaw was
thrown violently against ono Of the
cars and his skull was crushed Ho
was taken 10 Clayton, whore he died
carly Sunday morning. The crew on
the northhound train saw the other
train approaching and jumped for their
lives. They were only slightly injured.
Wyman was scalded about the back
and legs, Hickman received bruises
and Messck had his head cut Alex
ander Fleming was conductor of tho
southbound train and Joseph William
son was conductor OF the northbound
train. The injured men are recovering
nicely.
The engines were badly wrecked and
some OF the cars were damaged. Tho
tracks were blocked for some time, but
Immediately after the accident wreck
ing crew from Clayton won't to work
and cleared away the debris,
The officials Of the Delaware Railroad
Go. have organized court of inquiry,
with headquarters at Clayton, TO az
certain the true cause OF tho collision
which occurred near Blackbird last
Saturday afternoon. All OF tho officials
have been investigating ever since the
accident and the men who were in any
way connected with the unfortunate
affair have not only sent reports telling
all they know but some have been
called upon to give verbal accounts.
nf fhn nat iu mn n
tanned by the railroad men, and until
the definite cause of the accident is de-
termined by the court of inquiry moth
ing will be publicly known.
AS far as can be ascertained mis-
understanding on the part OF some
body, together with the fact that fog
hung over the road, is accountable for
two trains being on the game track and
approaching each other between two
stations, unknown to the crew of either.
The work train which had come up
from the Queen Anne road should
either have been held at Townsend
until the northbound train on the main
line had passed it at that point or the
northbound train should have been
held at Clayton until the Queen Anne
train had reached Clayton, its destina-
tion. But unfortunately both were
allowed TO proceed on the main line and
run toward each other between the two
stations. 1t was too late after the
trains had left the stations to hold
either, and il anybody realized what
the consequence would he, there was
nothing TO do but wait and sec what
Providence had in store for the trains
and their crews.
The very best signal system ia in use
on the Delaware railroad, and men who
have proved their efficiency are en-.
ployed at all signal stations, conse-
quently the train men have implicit
confidence in them, and it is not to be
wondered at that the men ON either
train had no fear of an accident or
Saturday. The Delaware railroad sig
nails are so well manipulated and acci-
dents are so infrequent, it is no won.
der there was great surprise when il
was learned that two trains had run TO-
gether.
People other than railroad men have
no means of knowing who was account
able for the collision, but there is ne
doubt about tho officials of the roac
finding out all of tho particulars, ant
il can DO safely said that all such mis-
understandings will be rigidly guarded
against in the future. The alread,
well -equipped signal system will bI
strengthened 40 regards reliability, anG
any possibilities of trouble, which
may be found, will be removed.
The damaged cars and locomotives
will be repaired, that is, such of then
as are worthy of repair. Tho tract
which was disarranged has been pu
in good shape and is now in excellen
condition.
HOLDING THE INQUEsTs.
An inquest was held Tuesday owe
the body of Brakeman William Il
Shaw by Coroner Walls OF Ken
county. The Shaw inquest was hell
in Kent county because Shaw died a
Clayton, although tho accident oc
Cured in New Castle county.
Testimony of the train hands wal
taken rs to the collision, but no at
tempt was made to look into the mat
ter of the orders given to the two col
liding trains, and which caused tn
collision. The Jury rendered verdic
that Shaw death was duo to a collision
and that the collision was due /
the heavy fog that prevailed at the
time. A resolution was added exoner
ating the railroad company from a
blame for Tho affair.
Ats clock Notwithstanding Deput
Coroner Chandler empaneled Jury
with A. p. Stetser as foreman, an
the jurymen were sworn in over th
remains of Engineer Murtha at hi
late home. No. 534 East Seventh street
After organizing the jury adiourne
TO meet at IL o'clock.
Accordingly, at noon the jury cam
together at Deputy Coroner Chandler