Evening journal., 1901-11-16
SWITCH LOCK
WAS BROKEN
Norfolk Express Wrecked Just
Below FarDhurSt
PASSENGERS IN CONFUSION
ROrk Believed to Have Been That
Of Train WrGckerS- Firemen
Galigna Injured

What is believed to have been the work
q train wreckers caused a smash-up on
the Delaware division of the r.. w a
II. railroad near Farnburst shortly after
midnight this morning. The object OF
Tie perpetrators of the dastardly deed
are not known, but railroad officials are
searching for them.
The wrecked train was the Norfolk ex-
press, No. 81, in charge Of Engineer Har-
rison, Conductor Hugh AIearns and Fire
man William Goligna. which left the
French street station at 121i O'Clock. Ii
ran through an open switch at three
fourths of a mile below Farnhurst and
ut q point known as No. track The
crash occurred at exactly 1920 o'clock
aud the shock threw Fireman Galigna
through his cab window and several
yards ahead of the locomotive. injuring
him severely.
On approaching the switch Engineer
Harrison saw that the white light was
on him, So he continued to run Ills train
at a fair rate of speed Wholly unex-
pected the engineer crashed through a
number OF flat cars along the siding and
into the steep bank alongside the track
The baggage car was lifted from its
trucks and toppled over the passenger
coaches left the tracks, the two Pullman
sleepers alone remaining.
The crash was followed 10y wild con-
fusion among the passengers, particu-
larly among those occupying the sleepers.
The force of the shock had hurled them
with great force from their berths. Clad
IN Scant raiment they ran through the
cars, women and children screaming with
fright
With great presence Of mind for such
an occasion. the crew informed tine pas
sengers that danger was past and much
persuasion succeeded in allaying their
fears.
Fireman Galigna was picked up in i
partly unconscious condition and placed
on car where his injuries temporarily
were cared for BY the passengers.
The engine, after running into the
bank, toppled over among tho demolished
fat cars.
Word was sent to this city for the
wrecking train. A shifting engine also
was ordered ont and in n short time was
at the scene of the wreck. With it's aid
The passenger coaches were replaced on
fhc tracks and hrOugh to this city. Here
an engine was in waiting and the train
was taken to Edge Moor, thence proceed
ing over the line by way of the New
Castle cutoff.
The wrecking crew was on the scene
of the wreck "a short time after the
crash, and by the light from bonfires and
idHtefus iolleu through the emily hours
Of early morning in order TO clear the
tracks.
The wrecked locomotive was twisted
badly, and had fallen IN such Il position
that it was a difficult task for the crew
TO effect a passage, and not until 1880
o'clock was the line open for traffic
Early morning trains over the division
were run 10y way of the New Castle
CUTOFF, and trains were made up at the
French streetstation, which conveyed pas
sengers for Northern points to Edge
Moor. where connections were made.
William Galigna, the injured fireman,
was brought TO this city later on the
Norfolk express. and removed to his
home in cab. While his injuries are
severe, il is believed he will recover
While railroad officials advance no
reason for the cause of the wreck, there
Is conclusive evidence that it was the
work of train wrcckers. While the
white light gave the approaching train
clear track. the switch had been thrown
open. The stout switch lock had been
battered Off and could not he found.
That there was no loss Of life and SO
few injured is regarded as almost AL
miracle by railroad mon.