Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1903-09-24
FREIGHT TRAIN CRASHES
INTO TROLLEY CAR,

A Central Railroad freight train
on Tuesday crashed into Bridgeton
and MillviIle trolley car, making a
serious wreck at East Bridgeton.
just before eight o'clock car from
Mlllvllle came over the pike and ap-
preached the Central Railroad. It
was car No. and was in charge of
Ludlam Henderson, motorman. and
Clarence Daley. conductor. The car
was brought to full stop east of the
crossing and Miss Elsie Ogden got on
the car. While the car was stopped
Central freight train pulled south
along the track passing Commerce
street and coming to stop below the
station.
Clarence Daley. the conductor.
went ahead Of his carr and went on
the railroad track. A Central train
man was standing upon the track.
Daley, noticing the freight train
stanSing, gave his motorman signal
to come on. Henderson also says that
the Central trainman gave him a sig
nal to come over. Henderson started
the car over. Daley says when the
front truck of the trolley car reached
the railroad track the trainman said
to Daley, "You had better be careful,
we might back into you.'
At that instant the long freight
train began backing northward, Civ
Ing no whistle or bell signals, and
crashed into the trolley car striking
it rather near the end. There was no
sudden shock or impact. but rather
the great heavy freight pushed the
trolley car off the track and turned it
completely over on the side. There
was crashing of glass and some
breaking OF timbers, but there was no
great damage done like crushing the
car.
So easily did the Car 60 over that
Motorman Henderson was able to
walk around the vestibule keeping his
feet all the time and when the acci-
dent was over the motorman was
using the side of the car as the floor.
The passengers in the trolley car,
Of course, were greatly frightened.
There were some screams, and several
of the men dashed through the win
dows to safety.
Others were helped through the
doorway and windows to the ground.
At the time of the accident there
were in the car Harry Pierce, the oil
dealer; @. L. Smith, of Vineland ;
Harriet Pierce. Warner Pierce David
S. Pierce, Sarah Lockman, Mahlon
Horton, Harry SCOTT, Theo. A. Eel
mey, Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis Candy, J.
Van Buskirk, Elsie Ogden. r. Thomas,
Mrs Hannah johnson.
Flying glass cut Mahlon Horton
about the head, and Mrs. Harriet
] Pierce was slightly injured about the
side. Harry SCOTT was bruised about
the leg. but as far as known there
were no serious injuries.
General Manager B. F. Hires was
out of town at the time of the acoi.
dent. and treasurer Arthur Sooy took
charge of affairs He Immediately
made contract with Israel Evan to
remove the damaged trolley car from
the wreck.
The scene was one that is a novelty,
fortunately, in this community.
The trucks of the trolley car were
upon the rails, and the car was re-
moved entirely from them and thrown
over on the egside. There was no spe-
cial damage to the woodwork of the
car. but the glass was broken in every
window and door. There was no
damage to the interior of the car.
The freight car that struck the
trolley had it's trucks twisted around
so--that they were crosswise of the
tracks, and wrecking train was tele-
graphed for.
Crowds of people, as soon as they
heard of the accident, focked out to
East Bridgeton and viewed the scene.
AS to the responsibility of the acci-
dent, investigation alone will bring
out the full blame.
The freight Grew say they were to
back across the track to hook on a
couple of freight cars by the freight
platform. AS soon after the accident
as the damaged freight car could be
out loose the train proceeded to Port
Norris.
A. L. Smith, carriage trimmer
and letterer, was upon the trolley car
and gives very clear and concise
statement of the affair. He says that
the freight train pulled south across
the track and the trolley car came to
full stop. He noticed Daley, the
trolley conductor, go ahead of his car.