New-York tribune., 1907-02-17

Bellevue. in charge Of Superintendent Arm
strong.
The fourth car of the train was the smoker.
II was the only ore 10 catch fire. but the flames
were quickly extinguished by fremen who
came from the nearby stations. The reserves OF
all stations throughout The Bronx and from
stations in Harlem were rushed 10 the scene. and
Deputy Commissioners Bugher and Hanson and
Secretary slattery. Of the Police Department,
were there early Inspector Flood was IN charge.
A complete Gordon was drawn around the wreck
ana no one was allowed TO pass the 1re lines who
had not business within them.
The train had made only one stop, at 12oth
street, and the next one would have been at
Wakefield, where the change is made from cleo
tncity to steam The subsequent stops for the
train are White Plains. Valhala, Hawthorne
Chairman Park, Pleasantville, Chappaqua. Mount
Ktsco, Bedford Katonah, Golden's Bridge
rurois Croton Falls and Brewster.
yIcs-President A. H. Smith said that the train
was mo. running more than thirty-flve miles an
hovr and Was on time when it LEFT the Grand
Central Station at 6:13, and at Mott Haven. He
rafused late last night TO commit himself to a
FORMAL statement but said that his latest infor-
nation at midnight indicated that broken axle
on one OF the old coaches had causod the wreck
= H williams, the conductor Of the wrecked
train, called up General Manager A ii. smith
at the New York Central Offices shortly before
midnight and dictated the following statement
over the telephone
I'VE left the Grand Central Station on sched-
uIs time The number of our motor was 3,42l
Sla nd Of
when felt shock. I jumped up and grabbed
the handle of the automatic brake Suddenly
the four coaches toppled over onf the right side,
while held a tight grip on the handle to save
myself. Most of the passengers shot across the
car and crashed through the windows. The cars
fell on those who went through the windows
and they were crushed TO death.
I'VE were going at the rate of forty or nifty
1niIss an hour At first fire broke out in the
forward end Of the first coach, but got the
train crew together and we extinguished the fire
with very little damage Then set the men TO
work taking care of the engine What caused
, The accident is a mystery 10 me-"
Ellis Rogers the nlotorman, said: Il rum
ming at between forty and forty-1ve miles
hour and I came out of the bridge 1 felt the
train tolting Ahead saw electric fash that
almost blinded me. That moment 1 put the
emergency brakes and stopped the train as soon
as I could"
AS soon as word of the accident received
at the Grand Central offices four special trains
were sent out as rapidly as possible. On the
fourth train was a corps OF doctors from Belle
yue Hospital. On the wrecked train were F. f.
Williamson assistant superintendent of the
Harlem Division; B. O. Stephens, operating in
spector. and c. f. Rogers, the engineer of the
first motor. 1t is believed they were uninjured,
as they were riding the motor. The official
estimate received by Mr.. Smith placed the dead
at from thirty to fifty No estimate given
Of the injured.
Coroner Schwannecke said that he had had an
interview with the notorman of the train, who
was taken in custody by the police. The man
told me-" said the Coroner that he was at
loss to account for the accident. He said that
he had clear track before him. and run
ming along at the usual speed. when, all of a
sue den the train seemed to fly through the air.
He said he applied his airbrakes instantly
and brought the train to a standstin as quickly
as he could"
Assistant District Attorney Smythe at the
scene of the wreck and announced early this
morning that his Office would make rigid iu-
Vestigation. He was inclined to believe that the
wreck was due TO overspeeding He said a rim
Of the wheel of the first motor found
eighth of mile away from the wreck.
All those who were too seriously injured to go
TO their homes we're taken to Fordham Hos
pital. The police took charge Of the bodies Of
the dead. and had them taken to the morgue.
substitute train sent TO the from
the Grand Central Station to take the injured
horthward to their homes far as Brewsters,
but the tracks had all been torn up and the road
therefore impossible the train used
for relief work, and brought back some of the
injured to the Grand Central DR.. Peter ]. Glib
of tba 0DfN N3yaa on baD 10 ai6
and some Of the injured were taken 10 the hotel.
Later a train from the north sent near
90 the wreck possible and about twenty-five
of the less seriously hurt were placed on board
Most of them had been injured in the limbs, and
one, Mrs. Clarke. of White Plains. a