Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-10

West Dunelden Engineer Rick slowed
his train down, because lie stops for
passengers II there are any. Martin
Brennan, the signal man, threw up his
arms and waved them, as il to say
there were no passengers. so the local
put on steam and headed round the
curve, going Ut about % miles an hour
| There were only four passengers on the
local.
THE AWFUL CRASH
In tho cab of the excursion train was
James Prendergast, the engineer, with
his fireman, George Cheshire. They
saw the local as it started on the curve.
With shrielling whistle and brakes
grinding sparks from the wheels, the
excursion train bore down to what
seemed certain destruction. The pas
sengers. alarmed at the continued whis-
tie. opened the windows, mothers
snatched their children in their arms,
men started from their seats. but be-
fore they had time to find out what was
the matter they were hurled headlong,
knocked senseless and many killed out
| right The two engines. from which
both crews had jumped, came together
with an awful crash. The excursion
train was probably going at about NJ
teen miles an hour. The local engine,
as IL trpped in its faster flight, turned
n complete somersault and came crush
'iG doNu DtSluc It's now QcmOllSncQ Cd
struction. But its career was not ended
before it had jammed the tender of
the excursion train almost from one
end to the other OF the first car from
Shamokin. The tender stopped Il few
seats from the rear door. The cGr, or
what was left OF it, rolled over carry
ing with it the imbedded tender, the
fragments of dozen bodies and the
wounded.
1t was the first car Of the excursion
train that all the deaths and most OF
the casualties occurred. The other cars.
though their occupants were badly
shaken. stayed on the track and were
in condition to be hauled off
RELIEF TRAINS HURRIED FOR
WARD.
From Dunellen. Bound Brook and
other places doctors were quickly sum
moned. Relief and wreekine- trains
were quickly on hand. AS the dead
were pulled out of the demolished car
they were put in the rear cars OF the
excursion train and taken to Bound
ROCK. The injured were put in the cars
or the local train. Twenty-onc were
taken to Plainfield hospitals. while the
less seriously injured went on to Jer-
sey City and New York
ENGINEERS FATALLY HURT.
Engineer Prendcrgast, who weighs al
most 800 pounds, jumped too late. for
he was caught under his engine. and
Tor three hours lay pinioned in fright
full agony.
When at last n huge crane lifted Tho
IRON off his body he was found so badly
, injured that he is expected to die. The
loss of life inflicted upon his train
would probably have been nothing like
what 1t was had 1t not been for tho
lact mat at Mauch Chunk the baggage
car oil the excursion train was found In
! nave 4 hot box and was taken off. Tins
leaving the crowded day coach next 70
inc engine. If this coach had retained
the position it held when the train left
Shamokin probab bly, only n few lives
would have been lost.
DUE TO WRONG ORDERS.
Engineer Rick, of the local. was found
on the tracks SO badly injured that lit
| ne nope was entertained of his re-
covel'y Despite the blood that flowed
from ms mouth Rick gurgled out
Some one gave wrong orders. know
| now IT happened. but I, can't speak
now"
In this connection. w. o. Sprigg. tho
superintendent of the Easton ana
Amboy division Of the Lehigh Valley,
The accident is evidently due to n
General Passenger Agent Leo h,d NJ,
explanation to make
CROPPING FOR THE DEAD.
Dr. Brakely. of Dunellcn, was one OF
the llESt on the scene. He said:
we got into the overturned car and
groped among the debris for tho dnad
Teeth, arms. brains, splintered wood
| ana twisted iron were mixed up in an
| lhueScrloaDle mass. The wounded
most of them suffering from BROKEN
| legs, were damned together a, the rear
.iiu. me dead we Got out piccemcal.
| Among the ruins We found hahv
about four months old. in long clothes
we thought it was dead. and laid il ON
the pank beside the haIf-dozcn other
| manGled bodies We had eytricated Inst
as was leaving noticed signs OF ;ifa
Inc baby was alive. ana n careful cy-
animation showed 1t had only n bruiso
for Plainleld."
This baby belonged to Mrs. Mary
Parreca, OF Mount Carmel who was
accompanied on the train by her hus-
pahd' Two young sons and the infant in
| question. ~
As the daylight began to die hugo
noniires made of the car debris were
i ts i!,cu py the SIDE of the track and
by the glare of their flames the wrnnk
ing crews worked their ponderous der
TICKS: Both engines were completa
wrecks. They were dragged along nv
ropes attached to other engines The
track Will probably be clear bv to-
| morrow
| j.. S. Walter. n lawyer. of Mount Car
mel, was mined in the debris of the
! front car FOR two hours. Despite the
| fact that he was seriously. If not fatal
~. injured. Mr.. Walter directed the at
tention or the rcscuers to other suf-
ferers and from his point OF vantage
superintendent their efforts. When
| fin1llV taken