The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-08-15
At Sneeden's Crossing, Near Morristown Last
Sunday Evening

Just few hundred feet west of
oneeden's crossing, the D. L. e W.
passenger engine No. 933 fell com
pletely from the track the result of
a washout about 10 O'Clock Sunday
evening. The engine toppled over
on Its side, crushing to death John
Armstrong, brakeman, who was
riding on the tender and scratching
ana bruising fireman Mcdonald and
Conductor Ayres. Engineer Morris
Jennings escaped with barely a
scratch. The engine was to pulI the
300 train from the local station to
New York, but when Convent was
reached the water so completely Gov
ered the track that it was deemed
wise not to run further. Accordingly
tne engine was switched to the west
pound track and proceeded to test the
rails back to Morristown before TAX
ing the cars. When near the Ford
estate and with no warning whatever
down sunk the track and over went
NO. 953 into the ditch some twelva
1eet below. Brakeman Armstrong
1ell to the ground and before he could
move the massive tender had rolled
upon him. The remainder of the crew
barely saved their lives by Jumping.
ABOUT day break the wrecking train
arrived but it was not until ths fol-
lowing morning that the track had
been repaired and the trains running
on schedule time.
George Wilkinson fagman of the
traln IN an interview with a Chron-
lcle reporter said, ''We left Morris
town on time 800, but when we
reached Convent Station there was so
pinch water covering the tracks and
with word from Madison that the
tracks were unsafe, and trains stalled
ahead, our conductor decided to run
back to Morristown where the en-
gine could be turned and the run
made to New York by way of Den
vile and Paterson. was sent back
to flag. The rain was the heaviest 7
ever saw; it seemed as if half a
dozen showers were falling at once.
Pretty soon our engine backed down.
when L boarded it. At Sneeden's eros
sing, Conductor Ayers told me to
get OH and watch the train. After
half an hour or so l heard some one
calling for help and the sound OF
escaping steam. 1 started toward
Morristown when l met Engineer
Jennings who said, THE engine and
tender is ditched we can't find Arm
strong; l am going to Convent Sta
tlon to wire Hoboken.' / hurried as
last as my wet clothing would per-
nit The engine and tender was fat
ON it's side in the ditch. Mr.. Ayers
who had jumped was badly hurt as
he landed in hole washed out by
the rain, Both Mr.. Jennings and
Fireman Mcdonald who were on the
engine when she went over escaped
with but slight injuries. Probably
an hour afterwards by the aid of a
lantern and torches and assistd by
John H. Madigan, of Morristown, who
met the firemen at the Morristown
Station where he was wiring Hobok-
en-, we found poor Armstrong; body
under the foot board which had
crushed him to death, probably in
stantly. 1t was not until the wreck
ing car arrived that his body could
be removed. 1t seems ito me that
the engine when it passed me was
not going over four miles an hour.
The entire track where the accident
occurred must have been under
mined. -
Armstrong, who lived at Wharton,
formerly resided in Rockaway. He
was highly spoken of by all who
knew him. He was careful train
man, well liked by his associates.
The body was taken from Hughson's
undertaking establishment to his late
home on Tuesday. The funeral SER
vices were held on Wednesday. He
was a member of the Brotherhood of
Trainmen and highly esteemed by
all his associates.
Between Madison and Chatham
near the Seaman house another wash
out occurred. Train No. 759 leaving
New York at eight O'Clock and due
here at $50 was delayed at that place
as were five trains following The
washout was so serious that the two
rNar cars of the 8. 30 were derailed,
although no one was injured. Many
Morristonians were upon the train
and were obliged to hire carriages or
other means of locomotion in order
o reach town.
Much sport is being enjoyed by
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