Evening journal., 1899-09-19
A POPULAR YOUNG MAN
Commentary On the Death of
Alfred E. Townsend.
DETAILS OF HIS TRAGIC DEATH


POPULAR WITH EVERYONE ON
THE READING RAILWAY, AND A
RESPECTED CITIZEN OF NEW
HoPE-TRIBUTE OF A LEADING
OFFICIAL.
AS an evidence Of the high regard in
which Alfred Eugene Townsend was
held in the neighborhood in which he
lived, the Evening Journal prints the
following commentary which will ap-
pear in this weeks issue OF the New
ilhope (Pa.) News:
During the past week a shadow OF
sorrow has been lowering over this
borough, caused by the tragic death Of
Alfred Eugene Townsend, one of the
Reading railways popular conductors
and model citizen of Newhope.
THE ACCIDENT.
On Wednesday Of last week Conduc-
tor Townsend had charge Of Conductor
Yerke's train on the Newhope branch,
and left here on Thursday morning,
never to return alive. Thursday after
noon a special train was made up and
sent to South Bethlehem with Mr..
Townsend in charge. At $40 o'clock
the specials engine, No. 573, with the
entire crew on board. started on the
return trip to Philadelphia. Orders
were given to look out for the freight
which had preceded them some twenty
minutes. At Hellertown the green flag
was displayed, and rounding the curve
Through the cut near Bingen a fagman
was seen, and an instant later the rear
end Of the freight. Without time to
thing, action was instantaneous. One
. OF the crew leaped from the tank and
was whirled over and over, bringing
up without injury, other than ruined
clothing. Mr.. Townsend, who was rid
ing in the cab, ran out on the foot
board and jumped from the pilot II
is supposed he was struck in the side
by the steam chest and, falling, struck
his head on the inner rail OF the north
bound track. An instant later 57s
struck the freight caboose, and, al
Though its speed was much reduced, il
lploughed through several cars before
it stopped. The two members Of tn,
crew who remained on the engine es
capped injury.
Mr.. Townsend was picked up in q
1 isemi-conscious state, from which h,
). never rallied. Everything that will.
: ling hands could do was done, and he
q was removed to st. Luke's Hospital
e South Bethlehem, as soon as possible
:. but his death occurred at l O'Clock
: Friday morning.
A telegram was sent here during th'
T. evening telling Mrs. Townsend Of the
$ accident, and quickly the sad newi
flashed over the town. AS quickly al
r possible orders were secured for traiI
It to carry Mrs. Townsend to the side o
e her dying husband, and only too will
! ingly did the train men respond to tn
> lcall to do so kind a deed. At 1922
!. Thursday evening the special left New
e hope, making connections at Glensid
: with the train leaving the Reading Ter
e elminal at 11O2 In spite of all efforts
'slhowever, Mr.. Townsend passed ava,
twenty minutes before his wife arrive
= at the hospital.
All day Friday the sad accident wa
% discussed in Newhope, the universe
feeling being one OF profoundest sor
: row. Mr.. Townsend's body wa
y brought in on the 402 train.
ot THE FUNERAL SERVICES.
The funeral services were held at hi
Z. late residence, on West Bridge stree
lie on Sunday afternoon at o'clock, ther
le being a large attendance, particular
: Of railroaders. Rev. F. F. Quicksal
I'd pastor of the Newhope NJ. E. Churcl
Id conducted the services and made som
Ae eloquent remarks. Rev. Ralph
in Coursey, Of Wilmington, Del, paid
Id tribute to the deceased, saying that b
II had performed the marriage ceremon
s. Of the deceased and his wife, and wa
W. glad to say that those VOWS had eve
u been mutually kept as sacred an
on happy as they could possibly be.
ne The S54 train brought a good
od number of railroad men. Nearly ever
ne branch was represented in the assen
he lblage which came to pay their last r
at spects to their deceased friend.
eu The railroad conductors presented
,or handsome floral Offering as a memen
Of their esteem for their departed br
W ther.
n ~ On Monday morning the body, a
1io companied by number of relativ
nd and friends, left on the ZIG train +