The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-21
A TERRIBLY SAD
TRAGEDY OF THE RAIL

Aile VI HouelI MeoheiS SIuucAs uS
Syracuse University, Crushed Out
Under D. & H. Engine on Homes
dale Branch Yesterday Morning.
Was Practicing Running Along
the Tracks, and Becoming Con-
fused, Ran in Front Of Engine-An
Exemplary Young Man-was Wis
iting Here.
A terribly sad tragedy of the rail was
enacted along the Honesdale branch OF
the Delaware and Hudson road in this
city yesterday morning. The victim
was Robert Quarle Meaker, student
at the Syracuse university, who was
spending Il portion Of his vacation In
Carbondale.
With his classmatc, Willis M. Gard
ner, OF this city, with whom he was
cumming during his pleasure PERIOD
Meaker donned his gymnasium suit. as
was his wont since coming here, and
repaired to the vicinity of the Lincoln
avenue crossing of the Honesdale
branch The young man had a 100-
yard course marked off along the rails
between the crossing leading to East
Side park and No. g This course was
selected because it was smooth and be-
cause the young men felt that they
would use every reasonable precaution
against danger.
They were out but brief time, and
We're just beginning to warm up to
their exercises when the Honesdale
,s.r1,t 1p1a ant SS.u n
bound, came in sight. 1t was in charge
of Conductor Ruel Hampton, Engineer
Calvin kimball and Fireman Howard
Fitch. The engine was running back
ward. as is the case sometimes on this
branch. Gardner had run the course
and turned around to observe Meaker.
Meaker was running at top speed, but
kept swerving towards the main track
on which the engine was backing He
was evidently under a misapprehen-
sion. believing the train was on the
other track. He glanced back when
the engine whistled, but still was under
the impression that he was getting out
of the way of the train, instead OF
gradually moving in front OF it. Card
ner. his brother-like companion, was
paralyZed with fear, when he saw
Meaker bound in front of the locomo-
tive. which was only twenty feet away.
In an instant the engine bore him down
and when the train was stopped, the
engine. cabOOse and one car passing
over him, his broken and lifeless body
was removed and taken on car to
Lincoln avenue. from whence the Della:
ware and Hudson ambulance conveyed
the deceased to the McHale morgue,
on Main street.
The body was fearfully mangled.
Both legs We're severed and the head
was badly crushed.
The deceased was seventeen years of
age and was one oof the most popular
youths of Carbondale. He gave prom
Use of a splendid manhood. giving evi-
dences in his youthful bearing of the
possession of manly traits and high
character. He was universally held in
affectionate regard, and the news Of
his sad end casts gloom and sorrow
particularly over his school friends,
among whom he was a favorite.
Young Meaker's birthplace was Beth
lehem. He came to Carbondale from
Norwich. N. Y, with his mother, eight
years ago. She opened kindergarten,
her son entering the public school. His
career there was exceptionally success
full, graduating as a member of the
class of 'O1 of the Carbondale High
school. He was the class poet, and was
Il member of the school orchestra. He
entered the Syracuse university last
September, entering the class of '95 OF
the department of classics. His mother
accompanied him to Syracuse. taking
up her residence there to remain near
him until he completed his course. He
was exceedingly popular at the uni
versity. and was a leading member OF
the university band. Ee came to Car
bondale last week for the express pur-
pose of attending the graduation eXer-
cises of the class of '02 of the High
school, which took place last night. He
was the guest of his uncle, DR.. C. T..
Meaker. of Salem avenue.
His only survivor is his mother, who
has been summoned from Syracuse.
The news of her only child's tragic end
will be overwhelming. In her crushing
grief she has the warm-hearted SYM
pathy of the community.
Willis Gardner. Meaker's chum, is
sorely depressed over the fate of his
classmate and associate, to whom he
was united by brotherly ties of affec-
tion.
Mrs. Meaker. wife of DR.. C. T..
Mealker, left yesterday afternoon for
Syracuse, to break the sad news to the
mother of the deceased, and to help
sustain her on the journey, as the eff
feet of the news on her is greatly