Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-11-20
A FATAL TROLLEY ACCIDENT
Car Wrecked Tuesday Night on
New Castle Railway.
PATRICK M'GRATH WAS KILLED
And About Ten Passengers
Were Injured.
the Rear Axle Broke as the Car Was
Opposite Isiackburn's Farm, Near Rose
IiiIi, While ON Its Way From Whining
ton to New Castle--Car Full of People.

The breaking of the rear axle on car
No. 26 of the Wilmington & New Castle
electric railway, opposite Blackburn's
gate, south of Rose Hill, about 3. 40
o'clock Tuesday night, wrecked the car
and caused the instant death of Patrick
McGrath of the Buttonwoods, New
Castle, besides slightly injuring about
10 others. Most Of those hurt sustained
bruises and cuts. The car was running
toward New Castle.
The most seriously injured is Miss
Susie Patton, who was thrown from
her seat and trampled. She is also
suffering from shock. Her condition
yesterday shows that she is not as badly
injured as was at first feared
Mrs. Thomas Frazer was slightly cut
and bruised, and was able to care for
herself. Thomas Kirk was cut about
the head and bruised; John O'Connor,
head badly bruised and became deliri-
Gus Edward Dalby, cut on head and
otherwise bruised John Jester, one rib
broken and slightly cut; George Kirn
and Samuel Barnes, cut about hands
and wrists; Edward j., Weggenmann,
badly bruised about the side, legs and
backs; John Campbell, Jr., cut about
the head; Bright Moody, 1notorlnan of
! the car bruised about his legs.
When the accident occurred the car
was descending the hill from the Vain
wright property. A jolt was felt and
| the car left the rails, swerving toward
| the embankment, where it came up
hard into the ground. 1t balanced for
moment and then turned over on the
side toward the road. Mr.. McGrath,
who was in the rear step, was thrown
| or jumped off, and then the toppling
car was upon him. The edge Of the
roof and top of the window frame
pinned him tightly to the earth, crush
ing out his life.
The screams and yells were heart
rendina and those who had not jumped
or cleared the wrecked car were hauling
and pushing to get out. The scene can
| scarcely be described. As soon as the
people on the scene learned of McGrath
being beneath the car, willing hands
we're at work and righted the car and
then removed the body to another car,
| which was lying south of the wreck.
The body was taken to Clewell's under
| taking establishment and, there cared
for and perlared to be taken to his late
home, where widow and four children
survive him. The children Is ages range
from 10 weeks to 10 years. The de-
ceased was carpenter and was highly
| respected as a quiet, reserved citizen
and had many friends. He spent all his
leisure time at his home, which he
built several years ago, and which was
nearly clear OF incumbances. He was
member of st. Peters r. G. Church,
New Castle. His wife was Miss Davis
of New Castle.
After the accident DR.. John Andrews
was summoned by the officials of the
road and attended the injured. The
wreck car and crew we're spnt out and
before midnight new trucks and wheels
were placed beneath the damaged car,
which was towed to the barn. 1t pre-
sented pitiable spectacle with all the
window panes broken and the sides
badly SCARED and broken.
Coroner Frick was notified of the
accident and death and will hold an in
quest. (
The passengers on the car numbered
60 and how SO many escaped serious
injury is a mystery. Mrs. j. Ernest
Phillips spoke of the gentlemanly acts
of the male passengers, who looked
after the welfare of the women. Mrs.
Mary Reynolds, another passenger,
said: aThe men on the car were heroic
anu bohbloiuollg duS 40 SuuH t1 thS9
could recover themselves they sasisted
the ladies, taking them through the
windows or out OF the door whers pos.
sible. They arc to be commended FOL
their work. -
Bright Moody, motorman on the car,
stuck to his post manfuliy and advised
those near him to hold ON tightly. He
was commented by the passengers.
Conductor Charles Lancaster, who was
shaken up, was also complimented fol
his assistance in looking after the
people.
Dinner baskets, boxes and hats were
lost and these we're collected during the
night and taken to the car barn. John
f. Campbell lost his watch.
One man brought smiles to the faces
of many by asking: "Where is my
companion?" When asked who hi:
companion was, he replied, my faith
full old Pipe. II