Evening journal., 1903-07-21
EXPRESS TRAIN CRASHED
INTO FREIGHT At NIGI'
Engineer and Fireman
jured, and Passengers
SbaL en- u,

As tie Norfolk EXPRESS OF .ne r'enni
vania railroad was crossing the New d
tie cutoff shortly after midnight
night it crashed into a freight train
hurled the engine and tender off one /
OF the track and the mail coach and b
gage car were thrown to the other. I
following persons were injured:
John Becldey, engineer Of the exprj
of No. 622 North Van Buren, street. hi
crushed and lacerations: probably fata
injured; body badly burned by escap
steam; taken to the Delaware Hospital
the patrol wagon.
A. V. Jamlson, fireman Of she expr.
of No. llOl West Seventh street, leg
jurel. Injuries not serious.
William Wright, express messenger
No. 100 jefferson street. left leg iniur.
Not serious.
John Mastin of No. 7ls French str,
mail clerk both legs confused and inju'
about the back.
L. b. KINNEY, Of Philadelphia. n
clerk, left arm injured and back sprain
With the exception of Engineer Be
ley, who was sent to the Delaware II
pital, the injured We're able to go TO n
homes. -.e,-
Engineer Beckley, who was forcing
engine at a rapid rate OF speed saw
lights of a freight train crossing his tr,
just before reaching the Intersection
called to his fireman to jump, but
words were scarcely out of his mouth
fore the crash occurred, the passenl
train plowlng through the middle Of
freight with a deafening crash and
hiss of steam.
The engineer and fireman were third
from the cab and the express messengI
and mail clerk hurled against the sd
of their cars.
The force of the collision caused
coupling to break between the bagg'
car and passenger coaches and aside III
a severe shaking Up the passengers W
uniniured. A few seconds after the trs'
came together flames s1ct up from
pile of debris and there was a pd
among the passengers ? Many OF thl
however. soon got their heads and bei
saving the contents of the Baggage [,
mail cars.
Of the wreck by telephone and spe,
train consisting of a locomotive d
combination passenger and baggage col
was made up at the French street /
tion. The special train with Dr. Howl
Ogle, DR.. Draper. Detective w. T. Joi
Police Captain Thomas Kane. Serge
Bayley ana others left for the scene'
the accident. On the arrival Of the spe
at the scene Of the wreck the injured VI
placed on board the train and returned
this city.
In the meantime the Weccacoe
Fame Hose companies had been 81
moned and proceeded to the scene. vi
their arrival the baggage and Il
coaches were enveloped IN flames, /
frightful glare from which lighted up
country for a distance around.
The mail car was the first TO ignite I
of the 200 bags Of mail but two were sa
and the clO.hing OF the mail clerks
also destroyed. In the pocket of one
the coats belonging to the clerk ove-
hundred dollars was burned. But u
of the baggage was destroyed as the g
managed to get most OF 1t out before
flames caught the car
The accident is peculiar in that no cd
can be given. The only theory that
advanced was that the white light civ
the express the right Of way was 2
Trainmaster Wallace. Reynolds and
wrecking crew cleared the track and a !,
new train was made up at French stu
station the journey was continued.
Mail Destroyed.
All mail received at the postofhce u
for down State and the Eastern shor
Maryland and Virginia after $50 o'c.
yesterday afternoon up TO II o'clock !
night was destroyed