The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-11-19

JERSEY CITY, Z Nov. s.-While a
gang OF twenty track hands were at
work upon the Pennsylvania railway
line over the Hackensack, near Jersey
City to-day they were run down by a
local passenger train. Eleven Of the
workmen were killed outright and six
were seriously injured. Only three es-
capped unhurt. q
The killed were: Michael Lawless,
Joseph Collasseo. Angeo. Pigo, Frank
Rondisiski, Frank DuKiskie, Thomas
Dougherty, Joseph simenskl, Joseph
Broskie. Nicholas Roach. Joseph Smith.
an unknown man. a. 3, y . Z B X
The train which run down the work.
men was a local from A1illtnwn to Jer-
sey City, due in Jersey City at $40 a. m.
The fog delayed the train and engineer
John Van 0straRd was endeavoripg 10
make UP time. His train was running
at a high rate OF speed, he believing
there was nothing to obstruct a quick
run 10 Jerse City. The first he knew
that his train has run into the men was
when the engine Jared. Then the cries
of the men fell on his ears and as soon
as possible he brought his train to q
stop. The male passengers got out and
aided the men in searching for the
bodies OF the victims. This was not an
easy task In the thick fog. A train had
passed on the west bound track d few
minutes before the east bound train ran
the men down. The smoke from the en-
gIne of the west bound train went over
ON the east. bound track, and the noise
OF the west bound train prevented the
workmeH on the east bound track from
hearing the approach Of the east bound
train. They were not aware that the
train was near them until they had been
scattered right and left.
There were twenty men in the gang,
and Il Is reported that not one escaped
injury They were In charge OF fore
man William Cork. of Jersey City.
As soon as the news or the accident
reached Jersey City Pennsylvania rail-
way officials went to the meadows and
superintendent the removal Of the dead
and injured.
When the engine which struck the
laborerS reached the Pennsylvania depot
in Jersey City the cowcatcher was red
With blood from the men killed. A boy
after the engine stopped, picked up q
hand from the cowtaeher. It had been
severed from one of the victims and had
been carried from the. mea addws to I the
depot on the cowcatcher. ST s 8 - E5iJ.i
or the men injured, Frank Schwaski
will probably die and Frank Wangan is
In critical condition. The dead men
all lived In Jersey City.
DoughertT was the man supposed to
be on the lookout for approaching trains.
In @ a rsiJ n In IIeto a
track from the gang OF laborers, and he
evidently did not see the train for he
gave no warning. His body was hurled
ninety feet through the air.
The unknown man who was killed had
only been put to work this morning.
William Quirl, the foreman OF the
gang of workmen, made this statement:
"The smoke and fog are to blame.
My men were In cloud Of smoke when
the calamity came upon us. I had
Michael Lawless stationed about fifty
yards ahead OF the gang TO give US
warning. Lawless was struck first and
cut TO pieces. My men were moved
down like. grass"
There were narrowing scenes when
the bodies reached the Pennsylvania
railroad yards in Jersey City. The rela-
tives of the dead were beside themselves
with grief. Half a dozen women were
overcome and had to be taken home by
the police.
Schwaskl, whose back was broken and
who was also internally injured, died in
the hospital to which he was taken.
This Increases the death list 10 twelve.
Engineer Naa Nostrand In speaking OF
the accident said: 1T was All awful
sight," said the engineer later There
was mass OF legs and heads flying
through the air. was drenched with
blood. I knew that something terrible
had happened and put on the air brakes
as hard and quick MS possible"
When the train came 10 q standstlll
the passengers rushed out. The track
was drenched in blood. The meadows
and the track looked like Battlefield
covered with bodies. The shrleks Of the
dying drowned the cries OF the Mortified
passengers. Women tainted and men
turned away In horror. or the nineteen
men, nine were dead and six wounded.
Some one telephoned quickly to Jersey
City. Many Of the bodies still writhing
IN agony were placed on the train and
borne to the city. Two Of the wounded
men died on the way. A relief train
brought back the others,