The sun., 1903-11-23
TRIED TO WRECK AFAST TRAIN
WE'RE AFTER THE
READINGS BLACK DIAMOND.
Removed the Rail on Bridge At Gwynedd
--DoylestOwn Local Came Along and
Plunged Down an Embankment--Two
Persons Killed and Dozen Others Hurt

Plunged Down an Embankment--Two
Persons Killed and n Dozen Others Hurt
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 22.--Train wreckers,
plotting to wreck the Black Diamond Ex-
press, caused the Doylestown local train
last night to 20 down fifteen-foot EN-
bankment near Gwynedd, resulting in two
deaths and injuries to a score Of passengers.
The Black Diamond escaped the fate OF the
local because 1t was an hour late. The
locomotive struck a rail that had been spiked
open on top Of the double arched stone
bridge near Gwynedd.
1t Is believed that the wreckers sought
to destroy the express, believing that it
carried shipment OF coin and that the
disaste or would give opportunity for robbery.
Certainly it was the plan to hurl the train
from the top Of the stone arch below
Gwynedd into Wissahickon Creek. The
train was wrecked but did not fall. For
moment the wheels jolted over the ties
Until the bridge was crossed and when the
engine and forward car did topple they
rolled down gently sloping embankment
instead of making the plunge into the creek.
As to the identity and purpose OF the
wreckers little Is known, and much is CON
jectured.
1t is clear that the wreckers knew enough
about practical railroading to open the
Joint Of the rail without severing the bond
wires of the block signal system. Other
wise the red light would have flashed its
warning Of danger ahead 1t is also known
that the wreckers did their work with
crowbar and monkey wrench stolen few
lob ha fnnlhnllSa
near the North Wales tunnel.
The dead are Clement l.. Custer, 81 years
old, 2ole Park avenue, and Harry Roderick,
fireman, Doylestown. The engineer.
Edward McCourt. 2l6 East Thompson street.
was scalded badly. Half dozen others
were injured seriously and about dozen
were treated at the scene OF the wreck and
afterward left for their homes.
The wrecked train, which was made up
OF an engine, tender, two passenger coaches
and one combination coach left Doyles-
town at 1925 o'clock in the evening and
was due at the terminal at ll4e O'Clock.
At Lanedale the train was boarded by q
party of Philadelphians, who were re-
turning from silver wedding anniversary.
This party included Mr.. Custer, who was
killed, and nearly all the members took
seats in the forward car
The train slowed up at Gwynedd station
to allow a passenger to alight and had not
settled down to speed when the high stone
bridge over Wissahick on Creek, 800 yards
bevond, was reach Edward McCorrt,
the engineer. was firing all this time allow.
ing his fireman Roderick to familiari2e
himself with the locomotive. As the engine
reached the bridge the wheels left the
track and the train went humping over the
ties. The engine and entire train cleared
the tfidke before the engine and forward
car toppled over and went plunging down
the enbankment.
cars held, and as the last two cars stuck to
the ties, the first coach was held back from
complete destruction. Mr. Custer was
hurled through the window and then the
car rolled on top OF him. crushing him to
on the seat behind him, were hurt only
slightly, but are in a serious condition as
result Of shock
McCourt and Roderick, the engineer
and fireman, whirled over and over with
As Roderick's half unconscious form struck
the ground. the water tank of the tender
toppled over on him and he was drowned.
William Steever, the oiler of the engine,
was pinned against tree, but. although
helpless for an hour, was not fatally hurt,
by steam, cut and bruised from head to
foot, he managed to stagger to his feet and
direct the work of rescue. The occupants
Of the car were penned in corner. Under
McCourt's direction the windows were
broken and they were rescued. After the
physicians and wreckers arrived MoCourt 3
pluck gave out and he fell unconscious,
It was at first believed he was dead. At
the Jewish Hospital it was reported that he
has q chance for recovery.
An investigation left no doubt that the
destruction OF train had been plotted.
just at the edge Of the stone bridge the out :
side rail had been uncoupled. To do this
il was necessary first to remove the heavy
angle plates that bind the Joints. Six
heavy nuts had to be unscrewed and the
were taken out Of the ties and one rail was
pried over several inches out Of alignment
and respiked.
In addition tn the bolted angle plates at
each rail joint there are two loops of wire
that connect one rail with the other. These
wires form the electrical circuit for the aut o.
matte block signal system. The device is
designed with The idea that an accident at
tho break OF the rails would sever the wires,
cut the circuit and cause the danger signal
to fash at the entrance OF the block This
would bring the train to stop.
The wreckers apparently were aware
Of the method by. which the bio ck; signals
were worked, for in prying the rails apart
they used the greatest caution. The end
Of the rail was jammed over as far as the
i, wires would allow. The block signal tower
is only few yards away from the entrance
to the bridge and had the signals been
disturbed not only would they have been
visible from the station beyond, but the
engineer could have seen at glance what
was wrong,
Workmen of the wrecking crew donned
long gum boots and made search of the
waters Of the creek. This hunt brought
to light q crowbar and a wrench, both
bearing the mark of the railroad company.
| They were found in the creek on the oppo-
site side of the bridge from he point where
the track was cut. They were just such
| tools as would have been required in the
setting of death trap.
| The tools were Identified later in the
| day as belonging to the Toulouse at the
| mouth of the North Wales tunnel, about a
mile further up the road. The rail was
| opened Just at the entrance of the bridge,
| and spiked in manner calculated to have
thrown the train headlong from the bridge.
| The severed rail is not more than two feet
from the bridges edge, to which it runs
parallel.
The Black Diamond connection, which
sometimes carries one or more treasure
cars consigned to express companies, is
due before 10 o'clock. II was late Satur-
day night Being a connecting train 1t is
sometimes late, and its schedule at this
point uncertain.
Another EXPLANATION Of the cause of the