Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-12-09
PRIEST KILLED BY
TRAIN TRAVELLING
/. At MILE A MINUTE
Gates Were Up, Waterman Ad.
mits to South Orange
"A Police.

As the result of a grilling given
him by the South Orange police. Jo-
seph Quatrano, gateman at the South
Orange avenue crossing of the Lacka-
wanna railroad, South Orange, where
Rev Francisco Troina, a Catholic
priest, was struck and instantly
killed by an express last night, has
admitted, the police say, he drew
down one of the gates after the ia
tallty occurred. Quatrano is being
held on a technical charge of man
slaughter.
The object Of this action, the police
believe, was to make 1t appear the
priest had lodged under the gate,
thereby generating the railroad from
all blame for the mishap. Tt appears
the gates were out of order, the
wind OF yesterday having caused this
condition. When Quatrano reported
for work last night, 1t Is said, the
day man informed him of the condi-
lions and instructed him to use a
lantern.
When the shanty bell signaled the
approach of the Passaic and Della
ware express, Quatrano, looking at
his watch, saw the train was late.
proper and began, he says, waving
his lantern to signify a clear pas
sage. While he was thus engaged.
~ appears, Father Troina started
across the tracks. Quatrano has since
admitted, the police say, he did not
see the clergyman.
A gust of wind lifted the priests
hat from his head and 1t was while
he was attempting to grab the head
gear that he was struck by the train.
which is said to have been travelling
SIXTY miles an hour. The regular
speed is ten miles less, but because
she train was late the engineer had
BANNED on extra steam in an en-
deavor to make up time.
The priests body was hurled to
the side of the road. The feet rested
in a small shanty owned by Roll,
Sickiey &. Sons. Kelsey Hastings, a
foreman, was sitting in the shanty
at the time. He sent word to the
police. It was after this Quatrano is
sAid to have pulled down the gate.
The gateman was taken to the police
station and policemen guarded the
4 crossing.
Rev. Charles A. Smith, chancellor
OF the diocese Of Newark, who lives
In South Orange. was sent for. as was
also Rev Timothy M. Donovan, rec
tor of the Church of Our Lady of
Sorrows, South Orange. The two
clergymen could not identify the
body, but letter dated November 25.
mailed from Petraira. Italy, and adj
dressed to Rev. Francisco Troina, 81
South Orange avenue, Newark, was
found In the pockets. The body was
attired in priests garments.
DR.. Alfred G. Benedict, the South
Orange village health physician, de-
clared that Father Troina was in
stantly killed. Deputy County Ply
sician NJ. Herbert Simmons made an
examination and found almost every
bone in the priests body broken. The
body was finally removed to Kunz's
morgue, Orange.
! Joseph Stone, Of Glenwood avenue.
. Bloomfield, was witness to the acci-
Dent. He declared that one of the
gates at the railroad crossing was not
) working so that there was no barrier
. 10 prevent Father Troina from walk
Ing ous on the tracks while the ex-
press was approaching. His state
inent is borne out by Marshal of Po-
lice Thomas F. Mcclure, of South Or
hnge. who also said that one OF the
gates was out OF order.
! There arc three tracks over the
/ South Orange avenue crossing. The
accident occurred on the third one, at
about $50 o'clock.
Little Is known of Father Troina in
( this diocese 1t was stated at the
! home of Rt Rev. Bishop John j.
y a'Connor, in South Orange, last night
: that Father Troina was not assigned
Z 70 any parish. although 1t Is a gem
I orally accepted fact that he was
awaiting a vacancy In this commu-
nifty. Father Troina is said to have
come To Newark some time aHo from
= Garfield. near Paterson. He was
thirty-eight years old and ordained
! 70 the priesthood about sixteen years
ago.
He liz supposed to have q mother
. IN italy and two sisters. one OF whom
Is living In this city.
: His body will be taken to 256 Nor
folk street. this city. Funeral services
will be held tomorrow.