Middletown transcript., 1901-11-09
STATE AND MARYLAND NEWS
DEATH IN rRE1eHr, WRECK

O6A4n In x4G404AAg "
As the result of rear end colilsloh
between through freight train ana
work train on the P, W.. & B. railroad
short distance south of Claymont, about
1215 o'clock Monday afternoon, one man
was killed, two seriously injured ana 1he
road blocked for nearly five hours.
The dead man is Joseph r. Middleton
of Philadelphia, formerly Of Wilmington,
who was fireman on the through frelgh'
train.
Frank ]. Gallagher, of Philadelphia
engineer on the freight train, injured m
1ternally; may not recover.
John Deyine. of Philadelphia, brake
man on the freight train, arm broken
and head cut
Both the injured men are being at
tended at the Chester Hospital, Chester,
Pa.
The collision was caused by extra
through freight train No. 19O, south
bound, crashing into the Lamokin work
train No. 126, which was at standstfil
on the Claymont curve about three
quarters of a mile south of that place.
The big freight engine hit the work
train with terrific force. The crash was
heard for some distance. Several OF the
dirt cars attached to the work train were
demolished and the force of she collision
completely upset the freight locomotive,
which left the track aud rolled down the
embankment. The tracks we're torn up
for some distance and seyersl Of the dirt
cars were also thrown down the embank-
ment.
As soon as possible information OF the
wreck was sent to the railroad officials
at French street station. The wreck
train was sent out at once and in
passenger car attached were Drs. James
A. Draper, Jr., and Howard Ogle, petec-
tive William T. Jones and number Of
railroad officials of Wilmington.
CARS CAUGHT FIRE
Shortly after the collision fire from the
freight locomotive set fire to several OF
the freight cars which were laden with
hides and machinery In a few minutes
the cars were ablaze, which made it i'm
possible for the time being to make any
headway towards clearing the tracks.
Three of the freight cars and one Of the
dirt cars were burned. For about two
hours after tlsA wreck train arrived moth
ing could be 9rpe ON account of the
burning cars.
There being curve at that point the
engineer of the approaching train did
not see the one at standstiil until it
was two late to avoid collision.
At Claymont is a signal block, but not
until after the freight train had entered
it did the agent there know that the work
train was on the southbound main track.
The fagman of the work train is said
to have displayed the danger signal but
not until the fast freight was within 500
yards of his train.
Superintendent Barnard is reported to
have stated thatt wreck probably was
due to carelessness of the fagman of the
work train in not giving the engineer of
the freight train proper warning.
Mr.. Baylis. chief clerk to Superinten-.
dent Barnard stated that the responsible
ity for the accident could not be placed
until all the reports were received.
The work train was in charge of Con-
ductor w. ]. Ennis and w. ]. Anderson
was conductor OF the through freight.
On the work train at the time of the coll
ision were a number of Italian laborers.
They were badly shaken up but none were
injured.
The remains of Fireman Middleton |
reached Wilmington at $50 O'Clock on a
special train. The deceased though re-
iiding in Philadelphia, was former Will
The body was removed to
,he home Of his parents, No. 622 West
Sixth street. The deceased father, JOS
,ph Fl. Middleton. is an engineer and
lis brother, John 6. Middleton is a fire.
nan on the z, ". & B, railroad. The
lead fireman leaves wife and three
His wife was formerly Miss
Williams Of Wilmington,