The morning journal-courier., 1908-02-21
Engineer and Assistant Injured as Engine Number 4 Re- spends to a Night
 Alarm.
ONE MAN IN THE HOSPITAL
Blind Corner Responsible for Right. Angle Collision That Wrecked Downtown Steamer
 Badly.

in from box 4o3 at the corner or Myrtle and Hamilton streets at Il o'clock last evening, engine number 4, which has its house at the corner of Wallace and St. Johns street, was hit at the corner of Hamilton street and Grand avenue by one of the trolley express box cars and two of its crew sustained injuries of severe and painful nature and the engine itself was wrecked. The man who was most severely hurt was John w. Rocks. the engineer. of 50 Law renee street. who received a dislocation of the elbow and a number of contus- ions around the back and hips. He was taken to the New Haven hospital in an ambulance. Thomas Delaney of 644 East street, was badly stunned by heinz thrown from the engine upon the sidewalk and was bruised about the face. He was later removed to his home in a carriage
 The driver, who was Daniel Fitzmor- ris, of 136 Chestnut street, received the least injuries of any of the crew on the engine, which may seem very remark able. It was due to the fact that the engine was struck at the rear end where the engineers were. Driver Fitz- morris had his knee hurt, but he was able to take the horses pack to the house.
 The motorman of the car which caus- ed all the trouble was Frank Demp- ssey of 169 James street. He received a bad cut behind the ear which bled free ly. He was taken home In a carriage by the trolley company.
 The aciedent, which was an unusual one, was not blamed to the motorman. He was not put under arrest, the ser- geant In charge of the police at the spot explaining that in his belief it had been unavoidable because 1t had been caused by a blind corner which he could not see. The hose cart had pro- ceeded the engine some few seconds, however, and 1t would seem that the motorman must have known that the engine was coming soon after 1t, but chose to run the chance to get by be- fore 1t arrived.
 The trolley, which is one of the big red box cars. was number IS. It was proceeding toward the city at the time of the accident. Just as Driver Fitz- morris of the fire engine got past the corner as he came through Hamilton street he saw the trolley bearing down upon him at good speed He made every effort to get his heavy load over the tracks in time, for it would have been impossible to stop in time. But he could not do it. His engine was struck by the trolley just back/of the center of it and was swerved heavily around against the corner of the gutter, against which the further rear wheel gave way like kindling wood, bringing the rear hub against the sidewalk with such a severe jolt that the two engineers, who were hanging on in back for dear life were torn from their hold and thrown to the pavement. For moment all was a mass of struggling horses, flying coal and stunned men. The driver was not thrown from his seat. The rear wheel of the engine toward the trolley car was of course also smash ed to bits by the force of the accident and the right shaft between the cen ter and the right horse was broken in two as if 1t had been kindlng.
 The fender of the trolley car was also broken. The car was thrown off the track by the force of the collision. : The injured engineers were taken into the drug store of R. M. Sheridan at 665 Grand avenue where DTS. John Baker and B. S. Adams did their best to relieve their sufferings. The swelling that came with the dislocated elbow of Engineer Rocks was greatly reduced by Dr. Adams. An ambulance was at once called from the Grand avenue police precinct station and the injured engineer was taken to the New Haven hospital in short order.
 Chief Fancher was on the scene al- most as soof. as the accident happened and there was no one who expressed greater sympathy for the injured men than did he.
 The injured motorman. Dempsey was taken into the undertaking establish ment of Thomas Dunn on the other side of the street at $50 Grand avenue where he was looked out for by Su- perintendent Judge of the Connecticut company, and from there he was later taken home.
 The car was got on the track in short crder and went on its way with an- other motorman at the controller
 The Smedlcy company came to take away the engine to number S's repair house and it experienced no little trou- ble in getting the heavy engine upon a truck
 At the New Haven Hospital it was said at i o'clock last night that En- gineer Rocks was doing we'll. He was heinz attended by the regular house surgeon, Dr. Bodey. Although he com- plained considerably of pains about the hack and hips there was little feaI that he had been hurt internally and if was expected that with the excep- ton of the arm he would be alright fin a few days.
 The Fire.
 The fire that the wrecked engine was going to was rung in from box 423 It was in the store of a building own ed by Salvatore Esposito at 125 Wal lace street The proprietor of the store was NJ Marine. Ii was practically de- stroyed. Esposito could not estimate the extent of his damagts. but 1t prob ably exceeded $500. The fire started on the first floor, but the cause is moi L1own.