New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-06-11
2 Other Children Hurt
One in Critical Condition
in Hospital; Machine
Bumped Along Tracks
Special Dispatch to The Tribune


ATLANTIC CITY. June 10.-An auto
mobile in which John II. stratton, Of
240s Arctic Avenue, this city, was rid
ing with his wife and four children was
hit by a Pennsylvania Railroad express
at New Road crossing. Absecon. this
afternoon. Stratton, his wife and two
children are dead. Another child is
not expected 20 survive. The dead arc;
John II. Stratton, thirty years old.
Caroline, his wife.
Francis, nine years old.
Carrie, eight years old.
Dorothy and Joseph. the former six
years old and the latter year and
half. are in City Hospital. Both are
seriously injured and Joseph probably
will die.
uroav afternoon of and was accustomed
10 take his family into the country In
his car for the week end.
The New Road crossing has no nag
man. but there is an automatic gong
which rings at the approach of train
An approaching motorist has an unob.
structed view Of the tracks for 800
yards.
As Stratton's motor car drew near
the crossing, the Philadelphia express
of the Pennsylvania Railroad which
leaves Atlantic City at 3:l5 p. m. was
almost due. The gong was ringing, ae-
cording 20 Edward A. Wilson former
State Senator, who was at work in his
garden near by.
ward White Horse Pike and IL is be-
ljeved that ne saw the train approach
ing and thought he could beat II 10
the crossing. Senator Wilson heard
the shrieks Of Mrs. Stratton and the
children above the clangor Of the gong
and then the crash Of the collision.
Wreckage and bodies were widely
scattered, Stratton, his wife and the
, eldest child were killed outright. The
girl died in the arms Of Chief Of Po-
lice William Schoeplin on the way 10
the hospital.
The speeding express struck the au-
tomobile sideways, bouncing 1t along
! the track, humping IL again twice and
finally hurting it beside the track,
where IL turned over. The train pro-
ceeded, but, according to Absecon resi-
dents, stopped momentarily about two
miles away and then continued to Phil
adelphia.
Hears Victims Cries
"I was working with my son in the
garden back Of my home when / heard
the screams Of the occupants Of the
car" said former Senator Wilson. "The
cries were Immediately followed by a
crash and then another which was
almost deafening. turned quickly
and was Mortified TO see the wreekage
Of an automobile piled near the south
bound track.
al hurried TO the scene. found three
children lying unconscious on the
ground, and beneath the tangled and
twisted mass were three bodies. Ny son
and I succeeded in extricnting the
bodies Of the three from the wreckage,
and a has.y examination showed me
chat all three were dead. Presently two
automobiles approached. but had dif-
hculty in persuading their occupants
Ia carry the injured to the Atlantic
CITY Hospital. Two we're placed aboard
one Machine, however, and Chief OF
Police Sehoeplin. who came in his car,
took the third. I searched the body OF
the dead man, and found his license
card made out in the name OF John II.
Stratton. This was the only means OF
establishing his Identity
A crowd soon collected and coroner
william B. Persells took charge OF the
three bodies. They were placed aboard
his automobile and taken into Pleas
antville.