Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-10-15
CRASHED INTO A CAR.
TROLLEY PASSENGERS KILLED BY
D. S. & S. ENGINE NO. 22.

Grade Crossing at Hazleton junction the
| Scene of Collision Last Evening.
Three People Dead and Several More
or Less Injured.
A grade crossing accident occurred at
$40 o'clock last evening at Hazleton
Junction by which three lives were lost
and nearly a score of passengers were
hurt. ID. S. & S. engine No. % ran into
trolley car No. ., of the Lehigh Traction
Company.
The dead are:
William Stapleton, Hazleton, extra
operator on the ID. S. & s., married;
recently removed from Milton.
Jefferson KirSchner, Hazleton, oper
ator at ID. S. & S. station Hazleton
junction, married; recently removed
from Lehighton.
David j. Williams, Hazleton, clerk at
d. S. q S. Roam Office, single; formerly
of Drifton.
Those most seriously hurt are:
Patrick Dowd conductor, severe scalp
wound, which may prove fatal
Henry Haudel, Park View, badly
bruised about head and body; may die.
Barney Ferry, fractured skull; condi
tion serious.
Mary Brice Oneida, bruised.
Sister of Charity Mary Rose Minnie
Brice), Scranton, bruised.
John and James HumcS, Jeanesville,
bruised about body and face.
John Heron, badly bruised leg.
James F. Gaughan, face badly cut and
body bruised.
Samuel Cumfer, motorman, face and
hand cut.
William Davis, Plymouth, leg broken.
AT the point named the trolley tracks
cross the d. S. & S. road. After the
passenger train passed the electric car
came along on its way from McAdoo to
Hazleton. A stop was made on the
south side of the railroad by Motorman
CumGer. Conductor Dowd then procur-
ed the mail pouches, and after looking
up and down the d. S. & S. tracks he
notified the motorman to proceed and
stepped on the rear platform.
At the same time Engine -, in charge.
of Daniel Gallagher, of Drfton, was go
ing down the line to bring the pay party
back to Drfton. Good speed was being
made, and during the moments that
elapsed between the time the conductor
looked up the track and when the motor
man had gotten his car almost across
the railroad the engine had reached the
crossing and crashed into the trolley car
with its tank.
1t struck the car near the rear plat
form, on which was standing Conductor
Dowd, the three dead men and Mr.. Hau-
del. The car was violently thrown off
the track against the trolley poles on
the side of the road
The passengers inside the car received
their injuries by being tossed about
when the engine struck.
Krschner was caught in some way by
the engine and dragged a considerable
distance. Both legs were cut off and
the body was otherwise frightfully
mangIed. Death was instantaneous.
Stapleton also died instantly, but Will
liams lived a few minutes after he was
picked up.
The dead were Immediately removed
to their homes, and those who are most
seriously hurt were taken to Hazleton
hospital. A message from there this
morning says that all the injured are
yet alive, and hopes are entertained for
their recovery.
Mr.. Stapleton, one of the victims,
came from Milton a short time ago. 1t
is known that he was married, but his
family had not yet removed from that
city Williams and his parents at one
time lived at Drifton, but the latter now
reside at Nanticoke. Kirschner was un-
til lately resident of Lehighton, and
was married about year ago. All
were returning from d. S. & S. offices,
where they were employed.
Deputy Coroner Bowman will hold an
inquest to ascertain who was at fault in
the matter.
Board of Trade Meeting.
The Board of Trade met last night at
the council room in regular session.
Treasurer Butt reported that he had