New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-06
EIGHTEEN PERSONS KILLED.
STRIKES A TROLLEY CAR AT
COHOES.

THrRTY-FIvE PEOPLE WERE IN THE CAR. WHICH
OF THE WOUNDED EXPECTED TO DIE
Cohoes. Sept 5--One Of the most appalling
disasters in the history of railroad wrecks oc-
CURED in this city tonight Shortly before
o'clock a trolley-car Of the Troy City Railroad
Company was struck by the Night Boat Spe-
cial' Of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad at
crossing at the west end OF the Hudson River
bridge which connects this city with Lansing
burg. and its load of human freight was hurled
into the air Eighteen OF the thrty-hve pas
sengers are dead and al least ten OF the re-
mainder will die. The catastrophe was an aw-
ful spectacle.
The hour was dusk shortly before o'clock.
The cars entering the city from Lansingburg
were crowded with passengers returning from Q
Labor Day picnic at Rensselaer, Park. a pleas
ure resort near Troy. Car No 1872, Of the Troy
City Railroad, was the one struck. II came over
the bridge about 735 o'clock laden with a merry
the day. The crossing where the accident oc-
Cured is at grade Four tracks Of the Della
ware and Hudson road. which north and
south at this point cross the two tracks Of
Night Boat Special train which south
and connects with the New-York City boat at
Albany, was due to pass that point.
The tracks Of the street line run at a graho
from the bridge to the point where the disaster
took place. In consequence Of this fact and Of
the frequent passage Of trains. it has been the
rule for each motor-car conductor to stop his
car and go forward TO observe the railroad
tracks and signal his car to proceed If no trains
were in sight. 1t cannot be ascertained whether
that rule was compiled with on this occasion. for
all incidents prior to the crash are forgotten By
those who participated
CAME WITHOUT WARNING.
The motor-car was struck directly in the GEN.
tre by the engine Of the train. which was going
at high rate Of speed The accident came
without the slightest warning The car was
upon the tracks before the train loomed in
sight. and no power on earth could save ii. The
as he reached the track and opened his switch
in vain With crash that startled the city for
blocks from the scene of the disaster, the power
full monster Of steam crashed into the lighter
vehicle
The nlotor-ca. parted in two. both sections
being hurled into the air in splnters. The mass
OF humanity for the car was crowded ~ over
flowing was torn and manGled Those in tha
front of the car met with the worst fate. Every
human being in that section Of the car
killed
Bodies were hurled into the air and headless
and limbless trunks found in some cases
fifty feet from the crossing The pilot Of the
engine smashed and amid its vreckase
were the MANNED corpses Of two women The
shreks Of the wounded mingled with the groans
Of the dying
The passengers Of the train suffered no injury
in addition 10 a violent shock
The majority Of the passengers Of the trolley
car were young people. They included many
women.
The accident takns place almost within the
heart Of the city caused the widest excite
ment The passengers of the car were mostly
Cohoes people returning 10 their homes
The train of the Delaware and Hudson Road.
Immediately after the accident. proceeded TO
Troy The engineer said that he did not the
car until he was upon IT, He tried 70 prevent
his train from striking the car but his efforts
were fruitess His train going az very
high rate OF speed al the time. He was some
minutes late, and was trying 10 make up lost
time.