Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1910-10-13
MATAWAN MAN
HIT BY TRAIN
William A. Arthur, an 0pti-
clan, Walked in Front
of Express.
DID NOT HEED WARNING

Trenton, Oct -Disregarding
the great danger that he was sub
iect to and failing to hear the
words of warning shouted to him,
Professor William A. Arthur, a no.
ted optician, of Main street, Mata-
wan, was struck and instantly
killed yesterday afternoon at the
Clinton street station.
A second man also had a narrow
escape from injury. The body of
Arthur was thrown high into the air
by an express train and 1t landed in
the arms of Station Master Kins-
ley, who had shouted the warning
to the optician.
Professor Arthur made frequent
trips to this city and Philadelphia,
where he had business interests. He
came here yesterday morning. AZ
ter transacting business in this city
he went to the Clinton street sta
tion to board a train for Philadel-
phia.
Professor Arthur was about sixty
years old. He had been engaged as
an optictan for the past forty years.
Yesterday he carried a satchel filed
with glasses and gold rims. He had
some time to walt for his train and
enjoyed a little exercise by walking
up and down the station platform.
Occasionally he walked up to the
end Of the platform and past the ell
eyator shaft, where few passengers
go. Between the tracks there is a
fence to prevent persons from
crossing the rails, but a gate al
lows employees passage for the
purpose of carting baggage.
While Professor Arthur was
walking up and down he saw one of
the employees push truck through
the gate. The gate was afterwards
closed, but not locked, as is the Gus
tomary rule. Professor Arthur
pushed open the gate and started
across the tracks.
Station Master Kinsley saw him
and heard the Southern Express
coming. He was but a short dis
tance away and he shouted loudly
at the Matawan man But the lat
ter was looking In the opposite d.
rection and did not hear what was
said.
The Southern Express is a very
fast train and travels through this
city at terrific speed The engineer
did not see the professor on the
tracks until it was too late to stop.
The pilot of the mighty engine
struck him and threw him some dis
tance in the air.
Mr.. Kinsley saw the body flying
in the air. When it came down he
caught 1t in his arms and laid 1t on
the platform. The impact almost
knocked him down. Professor Ar
thur was instantly killed. His back
was broken, skull crushed, leg bro
ken and he suffered other injuries.
County Physician Scammell and
Coroner Bower were notified. They
visited the scene Of the accident and
the latter had the remains removed
to Taylor's morgu.
Professor Arthur's watch stopped
twenty minutes after the fatal acct
dent In his pockets were found a
handsome gold watch. s58, a watch
charm bearing the emblem of the
Knights of Pythias and other arti-
cles. He also had a ticket on the
New York and Long Branch rail-
road. Besides being located at Mat
avian, he had offices at Hightstown
and 18 West Main street, Freehold.
He was formerly associated with the
Royal Optical Company
The dead man leaves wife and
two children. He owned a hand |
some home at Matawan and was
said to be worth considerable mon |
ey. He formerly lived at Freehold
and was known as leading sight |
specialist. The local Knights of |
Pythias last night notified the rela-
tiVes of the dead man and will at
tend to the local arrangements for
the funeral.