Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-12-30

around. Although the weather was
bitter cold, there were many spectators
during the morning.
The collision of the locomotive with
tho wagon threw the latter vehicle
against the gate at the northeastern
corner OF tina crossing and snapped it
of like a pipe stem. 1t was broken oil
about six feet from the ground, and
the upper portion was badly splintered.
There were many market people
coming TO Wilmington about tho time
of the accident, and while the unfor-
tunate occurrence was receiving the
attention of the railroad people several
wagons drove up. Tho people alighted,
and, as many had been acquainted with
tho unfortunates, there were many ex-
pressions of sorrow.
Immediately after thu Hccidant q
message was sent TO the Mcbride farm,
hut as thers was nobndy about the
place except Jainsa Anthony Smith,
the colorsd man employed there. it was
not possible to send anybody to tho
scene of the disaster at once.
Smith arrived at the crossing about
10 o'clock. He was mounted on horse
and by the time hu had covered thu
crossing was almost frozen. lie was
seen by representative of this paper
after he had dismounteu. He stated
that he and the horse he had with him
and the COWS were the only occupants OF
tho farm. Father mother and daughter
were the entire family. and should TIE
little girl lose her life thu entire family
will be removed from the land Of the
living. Smith was overcome with grief
lie said that when he heard tho sad
news he did not believe it, and he was
not thoroughly convinced until he ar
rived at the crossing and saw the evil
dences Of the disuster. He remained
about the place short time and held
conference with the railroad men.
He was told that the produce which
had been saved from the wreck was in
the freight house, but declined to touch
it until ordered to do so by higher
authority. After examining the debris
ana herring the full particulars of the
terrible disaster he remounted his horse
and started back to the farm. When
he left the place he was unable to say
what ne would do. but gave assurance
that he would take care of tho farm as
best he could until the arrival of rela-
tives. lie had been informed that there
were some relatives in Wilmington, hut
could not recall their names. He spoke
in the highest terms of Mr.. and Mrs.
Mcbride and the little girl He said
it was Bad blow to him and intimated
that he would have very gloomy
Christmas. lie had been called about :
o'clock in the morning and assisted in
making the arrangements FOR the de-
parture of the members uf the family.
The railroad men were commended
by people living in tine vicinity for the
manner in which they assisted the un.
fortunatns. They did all in their Iowei
to alleviate the suffarings of those who
were living, with the hope that theil
lives might be saved.
Those who heard the crash and lsfi
their residences to ascertain the cause
remained about the station for some
time after the departure of the train
for Wilmington and many did not re-
turn to thsir beds, as they knew that
they would be unable to sleep. A gloom
munity and Friday the people were
found congregateh about at different
houses, at the railroad station and al
ObntT plhCoh ulhCuSSluR tue toIElbls
disaster. Many were so sad Of tn.
affair that they were unable to pursue
their regular vocations.
The crossing is open and as a rule
trains can be seen approaching from
either direction, but the night vaE
dark, and it is possible that the wagoi
may have proceeded up to the station
without Mr.. Mcbride noticing the mp
proach of the train.
From what could be learned it il
believed that the usual danger signalI
were given before the train reached the
crossing, and it is believed that tht
accident is duo mainly to Mr.. Nc
Brides failure TO hear the warming.
The unfortunate family commanded
the respect of the community. Bott
Mr.. snd Mrs. Mcbride were intelligent
AMI business people and had pruspered,
Mr.. Mcbride was 81 years of age.
He was a son of William Mcbride ant
was horn at Christiana. About q
years ago he went West and engaged
in gold mining in Colorado. Here
turnd to Delaware about five years age
and purchased an 80 acre farm between
Harmony and Ugletown, which M
owned at the time OF tho accident.
The farm is also about mile and {
half from Stanton.
Mrs. Mcbride was formerly Mrs
Bradley. She was 10 years Of age ant
was married to him about three yoarf
ago. The child who was injured wa,
her daughtsr by her first husband.
Mrs. Susan Mcbride of No. G0i
Orange street. this city, is Mir. Nc
Brides aunt. There are other relatives
in this city also. The relatives here
looked after the little girl after she waE
brought to Wilmington and it was upor
thsir consent and the recommendation
Of the physicians that she was sent te
the hospital.
The funeral took ulace Monday. During
the morning the two bodies were sids
by side in caakets in tho front roDm OF
the residence of James Il. Vernon, No.
zoos Reed street, and many friends
and relatives called to take a last LOOK
at The remains. Thore were several
floral offerings, among which were four
pillows, contributed by members oi
the family, bearing tho words Illus
hand, /" "Wife," MY Father, = "My
Mother,'' There were also designs Of
carnations AMI roses, which were sent
by MIR. and Mrs. A. Donahoe and
Thomas A. Lofland.
At , O'Clock services were conducted
at the house by the Rev. j. W. Taylor
OF Christina, assisted by tho Rev. w.
Il. Miller OF Newport aud tha Rev.
James j. Todd of the Reformed Epis-
cupal Church OF the Covenant. The re-
marks of the ministers were exceed
ingly Impressive, The caskels were
carried from the house to two hearRes,
which were followed by large number
of coaches to Rivcrview cemetery, whore
interment was made.
Clarria MrRriIln tha nhill WIN Was