A FATAL RAILROAD BLUNDER.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, November 7, 1890.

A FATAL BLUNDER.

OPERATOR CLARK TURNS A SWITCH AND TWO TRAINS ARE WRECKED.

Four Train Men Killed—Five Persons Were Injured—The Accident at Rock Cut on D. L. & W. Railroad Near Syracuse.

(From the Syracuse Standard Nov. 4.)

   M. A. Clark, the boy telegraph operator at Rock Cut, a station on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, three miles south of this city, lost his head for a minute at about 5:40 o'clock yesterday afternoon and made a blunder which resulted in the death of four persons, the infliction of serious injuries to several others, and the destruction of several thousand dollars worth of the rolling stock.

   The New York and Pacific day express train from the south which is due in Syracuse at 5:55 o'clock in the afternoon passes Rock Cut at 5:40 o'clock. It does not stop here but passes the station at the usual rate of speed which is about 40 miles an hour. Before the express was due at Rock Cut last evening two coal trains from Syracuse had arrived at the station and had run in on the switch which is on the north side of the main track. The engine of the first train that went in on the switch stood pretty well up toward the east end of the side track. Engineer James Doyle, of Scranton, Pa., was in charge of the coal train, and was sitting in his cab watching for the express and all ready to pull out as soon as it passed. One of his brakemen was also in the engine cab, cleaning up his lanterns. The second coal train was behind Engineer Doyle's train and there was a space of several rods between the caboose and engine of the two trains.

   Telegraph Operator M. A. Clark sat in his office a few rods east of the switch. He was on the lookout for the express. The latter was on time and as the headlight of its engine came into view the thought dashed into Clark's mind that the switch was open and that if it were not closed the express would dash into the coal train. Acting upon the impulse of the frightful thought Clark dashed out of his office, rushed to the switch and changed it. The next instant he realized what a frightful mistake he had made, for the fast train, which was going at the rate of 40 miles an hour, swung in on the switch and the engine crashed into the engine of the coal train with a roar that was heard a mile and a half away. The force of the collision was so great that both engines with their tenders were ground to pieces. Both firemen and both engineers were caught in the wreck and instantly killed. Their bodies were horribly mangled. Their names are: James Doyle, of Scranton, Pa., engineer of coal train; Myrtie Fernand, of Great Bend, Pa., fireman on coal train; Michael Burke, of No. 707 Burnet avenue, Syracuse, engineer of express train; Jeremiah Lee, of 913 East Washington street, Syracuse, fireman on express train.

   The body of Engineer Doyle was found sitting by the fence on the north side of his engine. His face was not mutilated, but his left arm was cut off below the elbow.

   The body of fireman Fernand was found under tons of the iron wreckage of the engine. It was impossible to get it out without the assistance of the wrecking train, which had not reached the scene of the wreck when the Standard reporter left….The body was on the south side of the engine.

   The body of fireman Lee was tightly wedged in between the body of his engine and the wreck of the cab. All of the bodies excepting that of Doyle was pinioned down so tightly with parts of the wreck that they could not be moved.

   The baggage and express car of the passenger train careened over into the ditch on the north side of the switch. In the car at the time of the collision were W. E. Coppernall of Oswego, express and baggageman; Chester C. Darby of Cortland, mail clerk, and Josh Kimball of Oswego, brakeman. Mr. Darby got out of the baggage car alone. His ankle was crushed. Kimball and Coppernall were pinned in the car by baggage and express packages which fell upon them when the train went over. A hole was cut in the side of the car with axes in the hands of willing [men] who had gathered from the farm houses nearby, and they were dragged out. Mr. Coppernall was found to be seriously injured about the body. He was able to move his arms from the elbows down but that was all. Mr. Kimball was badly bruised and shaken up, but was not seriously hurt.

   Michael Tierney of Great Bend, Pa., a brakeman on the coal train, who was on the engine of his train when the collision occurred, was quite seriously hurt. After the collision he was found standing by the [?] on the south side of the track three [?] from where lay the wreck of his engine. He was cut about the face and head, his body was bruised, and there were [?] deep gashes in his left leg. He could not tell how he got from his engine to the place where he was found.

   The only passenger who suffered any serious injury was Mrs. Julia Corcoran, of [?] Myrtle avenue, Buffalo. Mrs. Corcoran said that she was sitting in the second seat from the front end of the rear [car.] The shock from the collision threw her over against the front seat so violently that her spine was injured, two of her ribs broken and her arms and shoulders hurt. She was able to walk with assistance.

   Conductor John King, of Oswego, of the express train sustained a slight injury to both his legs but he was able to go on to Oswego last evening with a train that was [rode] up in this city.

   The escape of the passengers is due to the fact that the coaches did not tip over. The collision spent itself upon the engine and baggage car and only two of the coaches were forced from the track. The [rear] coach, which was the last one on the train, did not leave the track. The first coach which was a parlor car swung across the track at an angle of about 45 degrees. The forward end of the second coach crashed into the parlor car and the platform of both were broken. They were not telescoped however. The forward trucks of the second coach were forced off the track on the south side.

   Five of the coal cars were more or less wrecked. The fourth car from the engine was lifted clear off of its trucks and piled on top of the one back of it. The wreck of the engines was piled in together and over against the fence in indescribable confusion.

   As soon as the news of the wreck reached this city a relief train was made up at the depot of the road in this city. The relief train, on which were Coroner Smith, Dr. Gregory Doyle, C. L. Parker, a medical student in Coroner Smith's office, Superintendent Adolph H. Schwartz of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, a Standard reporter and several gentlemen, who expected friends to arrive on the express, left this city about 7 o'clock and reached the scene of the wreck in about 20 minutes. Mrs. Corcoran the injured passenger and Brakeman Tierney were in the rear coach. They were cared for by Drs. Doyle and Smith. The physicians said that both would recover.

   The rest of the passengers were standing around gazing at the frightful wreck. The body of engineer Doyle lay on the same boards by the side of the fence where it had been carried by the railroad men and the farmers in the neighborhood. The crash of the collision was so great that it aroused all the farmers within a mile of Rock Cut.

   Edward Burke, a farmer, hitched up his horse and drove rapidly to Brighton to notify Dr. Babcock. Dr. Babcock responded promptly and reached the scene shortly after the arrival of the relief train from Syracuse. As soon as Mrs. Corcoran and Brakeman Tierney had been cared for they were carried to the relief train and brought to this city together with Baggageman Coppenell, Brakeman Kimball, and Mail Clerk Darby. Mr. Coppenall was able to go to his home in Oswego. Mrs. Corcoran and Brakemen Kimball and Tierney were taken to St. Joseph s hospital.

   Operator Clark, who is blamed for the accident, was found by a Standard reporter in the office at Rock Cut. He was not in charge of it, however, as the railroad company had sent a man out in the relief train to take charge of things. When the reporter entered the office, the conductor of a freight train, which was on a side track up at Jamesville, was asking Clark to explain why he changed the switch. "I thought I was saving the lives of the people on the train," replied the young man, as the tears gathered in his eyes. The reporter asked him for his version of the affair and he started to say something, when a big fellow with a heavy gray beard told him to shut up, and he obeyed. Clark said he would say nothing about the accident until called to testify at the inquest. He told the reporter he was 19 years old.

   Clark had been in charge of the Rock Cut station but a few days, having been transferred there from Tully. He is a bright looking young man.

   George G. Campbell, President of the State Liquor Dealers' association, was a passenger on the train. Mr. Campbell was slightly cut across the forehead.

   Bruce S. Aldrich and his mother were also passengers on the express, though neither knew that the other was on the train. They were returning from different points. After the collision Mr. Aldrich started to assist an elderly lady to alight from the….

   The body of Engineer Doyle was brought to McCarthy's morgue at 11 o'clock last night.

   The wrecking train reached Rock Cut shortly after 9 o'clock, and the work of getting the bodies of the killed out of the wreck was begun. Engineer Burke's body was recovered at 10:30 o'clock and brought to Mullin's undertaking rooms in the city ambulance. The face and the inside of the right arm were bruised and cut; otherwise the body was not mutilated.

   The track was cleared so that trains could pass the wreck at 10:30 o'clock. Mail Clerk Darby returned to his home in Cortland on a train that left this city shortly after 10 o'clock. His most serious injury is a sprained ankle. He said that he was at work at his mail bags when the collision occurred. He made a grab for the guard rail of the car, but missed it and fell to the floor. A pile of packages fell on top of him and held him tight until the rescuing party cut into the side of the car and dug him out.

   P. J. Mack, of the firm of Mack & Dunn of this city, who was on the express train, told a Standard reporter that the train was running at about 40 miles an hour when the collision occurred. Mr. Mack was not hurt and he pitched in and helped the physicians care for the injured and carry them out to the relief train. Several of the passengers walked the track into the city. The others came up on the relief train.

   The express train was not heavily loaded with passengers. It was the opinion of those who visited the wreck last night that the heavy parlor car which was next to the baggage car saved the lives of many passengers. The big car simply swung around at both ends and it bore the shock of the collision like a rock. The wonder was that the coaches did not telescope each other.

   Fireman Jeremiah Lee was a son of Policeman Daniel Lee and lived at his father's home, No. 913 East Washington street.

   Engineer Burke and Fireman Lee were two of the best known railroad men in this part of the state. They had run together for some time. Last spring they distinguished themselves by making the fastest run ever made on the Oswego division of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad. Burke leaves a widow and several children.

   The bodies of two firemen were recovered from the wreck at 1 o'clock this morning and were brought to this city. Lee's is at Mullin's undertaking rooms and Fernand's at McCarthy's. Both bodies were frightfully mutilated and scalded by the escaping steam from the engines.

Court Proceedings.

   The jury in the case of Gais vs. Israel Stone and Harlow G. Borthwick handed in a verdict of $275 in favor of the defendant.

   In the action brought by Theodore Stevenson vs. Lorenzo B. Ellison to collect an amount for alleged unpaid rent, the jury brought in a verdict in favor of the defendant, who claimed he was not indebted to plaintiff.

   After the jury had retired in the Gais—Stone case, Friday afternoon, there being no other causes in readiness, the Court addressed a few remarks to the members of…, said suggestion was that the Bar assemble together and appoint a committee from their number to present the subject before the Board of Supervisors at their next session for the enlarging of the court room by building the walls of the jail building up as high as those of the court house proper, thereby affording space for a private room for the presiding Judge, a counselor's room and library, and the necessary water privileges with proper closets, and he suggested that there would be sufficient room for the building of a room for the use of trial jurors to retire for deliberation.

   But should the Board of Supervisors refuse or fail to provide for this alteration that upon the assembling of the next Circuit Court in January, 1891, he (Judge Forbes) would make an order empowering the sheriff to have such changes made as it was necessary and should receive immediate attention. His Honor cited the cases of nearly all the counties in this district, excepting Cortland, having convenient court rooms. While finding no fault with the court room proper, the necessity of the Court having to walk down through the audience, and often obliged to send an officer to drive counsel and lady clients from the present counsel room, were anything but pleasant and could not further be tolerated. Expressing an anticipation that he should not be obliged to personally make the order for said change the Judge left the bench and descended to the Bar and listened to an exchange of views on the subject.

   At 6 o'clock Friday evening Court adjourned without date.

Vital Statistics for November.

   Births, 6, males 2, females 4; Deaths, 12, males 6, females 6; nativity, U. S. 9, English 2, Irish 1. Social condition, single 2, married 8, widowed 2.
   Ages under 5 years, 1; between 5 and 10, 1; 20 and 30, 1; 60 and 70, 5; 70 and 80, 1; 80 and 90, 2; 90 and 100, 1.

  Causes of deaths, typhoid fever 1, pertonitis 1, convulsions1, whooping cough 1, chronic bronchitis 1, gastritis 1, cancer 1, valvular disease of the heart 3.

    Marriages, 4.

HERE AND THERE.

   Smoke Manhattan Club cigars.

   The Virgil Town Sunday School Association will meet in Virgil, November 21st.

   Mrs. Lucy Crain, of Cortland, is one of a family of five whose combined ages amount to 402 years.

   Electric bells have been placed in C. F. Wickwire's new residence on Tompkins street, by Mr. S. J. Parmeter.

   An exchange states that N. H. Whitmarsh, of Cuyler, has an apple tree that bore sweet apples last year and sour ones this year.

   The regular meeting of the King's Daughters will be held with Mrs. Geo. I. Pruden, No. 15 Maple-ave., on Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock.

   Five new iron boxes for receiving newspapers and packages are in the post-office and will be placed at convenient points on the streets as soon as locks for the same arrive.

   Alex. Geralds is erecting a handsome brick building on Railroad street, adjoining Emerald Hose Company's building. Mr. John Mahar has the contract. The building will have two stores on the first floor.

   M. T. Perry, an E. C. & N. brakeman, had an arm caught between the bumpers while coupling cars at this station, Thursday. He was removed to his home in Cortland, and it is thought will fully recover.—DeRuyter Gleaner.

   Mrs. James L. Goddard, of Truxton, died quite suddenly on Saturday last, of heart disease. For many years a resident of that town, she will be sincerely missed in a large circle. Deceased was aunt to Mr. A. J. Goddard of this village.

   The new mail delivery by horse and wagon for the outlying districts of this village commenced last Saturday. The route takes in the northwest part of the village, the west end of Tompkins-st., Rickard-st. north of the river, all north of Brayton's mills, and the whole of River-st.

   By a law passed last winter, overseers of the poor are required to keep a book in which they shall enter the name of every poor person who shall be relieved or supported by them, and the amount and for whom money is expended, and to have the book at each annual town meeting for the inspection of the electors.

   The Cortland Fox Club held their first pack hunt last Saturday. The pack of hounds were taken to the woods west of cemetery hill and soon started a fox. The fox ran directly towards Mr. A. M. Schermerhorn, who killed him on the first fire. It proved to be a tame fox and had a collar on its neck with a short piece of chain attached.

   B. J. Jones, of Virgil, who has been on an annual hunting trip to Potter county, Pa., returned Friday, and is reported as having killed four bears, five deer, and found quail so thick it was like shooting into chickens in a farmer's barn yard. An elegant black bear skin was brought home by which to remember the successful hunt.—Dryden Herald.

   John W. Suggett, Esq., and Miss Allie Fairchilds, of this place, were passengers on board the train that was wrecked at Rock Cut, last Monday afternoon. Mr. Suggett was thrown against the seat forward and then backward over his seat into the coal bin. He was somewhat bruised, but returned home the same night and has attended to business as usual since. Miss Fairchild was uninjured.

   At about 5:50 p. m., Monday, Manager George of the Western Union telegraph office at this place heard Operator Clark calling Syracuse for assistance. As the lines belonging to the railroad company were torn down by the wreck, he promptly notified the officials over the Western Union wires, to send a relief train—and communication was carried on through his office until the railroad wires were repaired.

Recommended, Railroads in Syracuse: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railroads_in_Syracuse,_New_York

Merwin vs. Delaware & Lackawanna R. R.: https://books.google.com/books?id=Bx3A4ZBVLokC&pg=PA627&lpg=PA627&dq=Rock+Cut+train+station,+Syracuse&source=bl&ots=sZujAG8Ru8&sig=1PbGnLapU6d44cYijXoFFa1c1d8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAmoVChMIpN3h_-70xwIVB9OACh2D-QHe#v=onepage&q=Rock%20Cut%20train%20station%2C%20Syracuse&f=false