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| D. L. & W. engine in roundhouse at Buffalo, N. Y. |
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| Cortland-Homer D. L. & W. R. R. crossing just north of county fairgrounds on Homer Ave. (#26 on 1894 map is the North Cortland House. #15 painted on roof is the Cortland Corset Co., later Gillette Skirt Co.) |
Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, November 9, 1899.
AN AWFUL WRECK.
MILK TRAIN ON D., L. & W. R. R. AND TROLLEY CAR COLLIDE.
Miss Margaret Kennedy and Frank M. Newton of Homer Both Killed—Motorman Chrysler Badly injured—The Trolley Car Smashed to Splinters—The Milk Train Derailed and Traffic Interrupted.
The first fatal accident that has happened at the crossing of the D., L. & W. railroad tracks and the tracks of the Cortland & Homer Traction company between Cortland and Homer since the opening of the electric road occurred at about 11:15 o'clock this morning and two persons were killed and one injured. The killed and injured are:
Miss Margaret M. Kennedy of Homer, 53 years old, killed instantly.
Frank M. Newton of Homer, aged 36 years, both legs cut off, died at the Cortland hospital in twenty minutes.
Olney P. Chrysler of Homer, motorman of electric car, injuries about head and knees, probable internal injuries; lies at Cortland hospital in a semi-conscious state; may recover.
At a few minutes past 11 o'clock this morning, when electric car No. 20 left Homer for Cortland, it had three passengers. Miss Kennedy, Mr. Newton and Charles Taylor of Baltimore, Md., a representative of Sperry, Jones & Co. of Maryland, a firm dealing in investment securities. Its conductor was Orson B. Smith of Cortland and the motorman was Mr. Chrysler who was injured.
At about the same time southbound milk train, No. 198, on the D., L. & W. R. R. consisting of the engine, five milk cars and caboose, left the Homer station. At the junction of the two roads a collision between the milk train and electric car resulted as above stated, the electric car was literally smashed into kindling wood and the train was thrown from the track, and ran south over the ties and came to a standstill with the engine 35 rods from the point of contact at the crossing without overturning either engine or cars.
A number of people were in the vicinity at the time of the accident.
A STANDARD man was at the scene within twenty minutes from the time of the catastrophe and found lying in the center of the highway the bruised, broken and mangled remains of Miss Kennedy covered with some blankets. The body of Mr. Newton, and the injured motorman had been brought to the Cortland hospital in an electric car sent up from the car barn for that purpose. Mr. Thomas H. Kennedy, the dead woman's brother, with whom she lived on the Scott road four miles north of Homer, soon arrived and identified the remains as those of his sister. He said to The STANDARD man that he had brought his sister to Homer on her way to Cortland to attend the funeral of Mrs. H. A. Bolles. Just as they drove into the village of Homer, a car was leaving, and she made the remark that she would wait for the next car as that would bring her to Cortland in plenty of time.
MR. TAYLOR'S STORY.
Mr. Taylor, the only passenger to escape with his life said that when he boarded the car in Homer he noticed Mr. Newton sitting at the front end of the car. He was acquainted with him but saw that he was busy reading a paper and did not go forward to speak to him, but sat down just inside the rear door on the east side of the car, facing the D., L. & W. tracks. He noticed also the one lady in the car, Miss Kennedy, sitting about midway on the opposite side. After leaving the business portion of Homer, he noticed the milk train and wondered which would reach the crossing first, the car or the train. The conductor was standing on the rear platform except when he came in to collect the fares. Mr. Taylor says that train and car approached the crossing at the same time, and that the car seemed to slacken its speed a little as it struck the curve leading to the crossing, but not to any extent. He positively affirms that the car did not stop. Seeing that a collision was imminent, he rushed out of the rear door and leaped from the platform, landing squarely on his feet without injury. He was followed, he says, by the conductor, and then the crash came. The car and engine seemed to him to strike the crossing at the same time, corner to corner, and the car was dashed to pieces, the body of Miss Kennedy being hurled forward out of the debris and falling limp and lifeless between the tracks in the highway. The train went on and after it had passed he saw Mr. Newton lying on the track about 40 feet south of the crossing with both legs cut off just above the knees, and the blood coming forth in gushes from the portion of the limbs remaining. He did not know whether the whistle of the railroad engine was sounded or not and added that if it was blown he might not have heard it, owing to the noise of the electric car.
THE FLAGMAN'S VERSION.
Andrew Filer, the D., L. W. flagman at the crossing, said to the reporter that he stood on the track in the highway flagging for the milk train, and also saw the approaching electric car. He heard the train whistle, and says that the car did not stop for the conductor to go on ahead to flag as is the usual custom. When the two came together he ran to the north and east side of the track and highway to avoid being caught in the wreck, and saw the conductor and Mr. Taylor jump from the rear platform.
MAN ON A WHEEL.
Fred Fisher of Homer was coming to Cortland on his wheel, and reached the crossing before the train, alighting there for the train to pass. He was standing in the angle formed by the junction of the two tracks, he says, and saw the two coming together. It looked to him as though the electric car was lifted several feet in the air and then dashed down to the ground a broken, splintered mass. He says the car did not stop before reaching the crossing, and the train did not slow up.
WHAT THE ENGINEER SAYS.
The milk train was in charge of Engineer S. S. Carpenter, and Conductor I. B. Preston. The fireman was Wm. Hunt. To The STANDARD man Engineer Carpenter said that they left Homer about ten minutes late and were running at a lively rate. He saw the electric car approach the crossing and he blew the whistle and rang the bell as usual but did not slacken the speed as he supposed he had the right of way. Just before the collision he saw the motorman turn to the right and look out from his platform up the track at his train, which was then but a few feet away from the crossing. He had already set the brakes suddenly and reversed his engine. The sudden setting of the brakes snapped them in two and the train plunged along for 35 rods, tearing up some of the rails and loosening the ties, but not overturning any of the cars.
The pilot is gone from the engine, and also the headlight and number at the end of the boiler. Both the latter lay in the ditch near the engine on the left side of the track. The steps of the forward milk car were torn off. The road bed was so badly torn up between the two tracks that the rear cars were sunk to the axles in gravel.
None of the train crew was injured. The wreck blocked traffic on both tracks of the road temporarily, but a wrecking train from Syracuse is at the scene this afternoon righting things up and traffic will be resumed to-night.
SEEN AND HEARD FROM THE HOUSE.
Mrs. William A. Smith, who lives just north of the crossing and east of the highway says that just as the crash came she was passing from the kitchen to the sittingroom in the front part of the house. She heard the crash and ran to the window. As she reached this she saw Conductor Smith standing east of the trolley car track and north of the D., L. & W. tracks about two rods from the flagman. She distinctly remembers hearing the conductor of the street car shout to the flagman, "Why didn't you flag that train?" and the flagman replied "I did, and I hollered for you to stop." She says that at that time the flagman was vigorously waving the flag and shouting at the top of his lungs.
MR. COPELAND SAW IT ALL.
Mr. Frank Copeland of Homer was on his way to Cortland and was at the crossing when the accident occurred. He drove down on the west side of the track some distance ahead of the electric car. As he crossed the street car track he saw the flagman at the railroad crossing and knew that the train was approaching. He stopped opposite the driveway just south of W. A. Smith's residence to let the train cross ahead of him. He says that the flagman was waving his flag and that he heard him shout to the motorman to stop the car before it reached the crossing. He also says that the street car did not come to a stop and he did not see the conductor get off the car before it reached the railroad track. The electric car was right at the middle of the track when the milk train struck it.
Mr. Copland jumped from his wagon, hitched his horse and was the first person who reached the wreck. As he expresses it "the streetcar was all smashed to splinters." It was knocked clear off the track and the main parts of it lay in the roadway north of the railroad track. The first person he saw was Charles Taylor, the man who jumped from the rear platform just before the crash came. Miss Kennedy was dead when he reached her side. The body lay between the north and south bound tracks in the midst of the debris of the street car. He next came to Motorman Chrysler who lay south of the track and who was unconscious when be reached him. While bending over the motorman he heard a groan from another person, a little further down the track. He crossed over to where he was lying and turning the head so that he could see the face, recognized Mr. Newton. Both legs were cut off and he does not think that Mr. Newton recognized him. He heard him say. "My God, this is awful." Mr. Newton was lying between the north and south bound tracks close to the rail and the whole train must have passed over him.
As soon as Mr. Copeland discovered who the injured man was he hastened to Homer as fast as his horse could take him to convey the news of the accident to Mr. Newton's father, Mr. Charles O. Newton. "It was the most awful sight I ever saw," said Mr. Copeland, "and I hope I may never again be called upon to witness such another accident."
HOW C. L. GRIFFITH SAW IT.
Charles L. Griffith, who is a salesman for H. M. Hopkins, the grocer, was delivering goods at the North Cortland House. Mrs. Kernan, the wife of the proprietor, said to him, "There is something the matter at the crossing. The milk train is stopping and people are running that way." With Mr. Kernan he jumped into his delivery wagon and ran his horse up to the crossing. The train was just coming to a stand. The car was in kindling wood. Miss Kennedy lay dead in the road fifteen feet southeast of the main pile of wreckage of the car. Fifteen or 20 feet further south along the railroad and on the west side of the tracks lay Motorman Chrysler on his face unconscious. About 20 feet south along the track beyond the carriage crossing sat Mr. Newton on the east rail of the southbound track. His face was resting in his hands and he was groaning, but as Mr. Griffith approached Mr. Newton looked up and saw him, and recognized him. "Hello, Mr. Griffith." he said, "for God's sake help me. Can't you do something for me?'' Then he put his hand down toward his legs, and for the first time seemed to notice that they were gone. He groaned as he looked. The blood was spurting from the mangled legs. The right leg seemed to be torn and shredded all its length and muscle was cut away so that bones showed. The feet were partly gone. The left leg was gone above the knee.
Mr. Griffith got some cord from his wagon and tried by a stricture to stop the spurting of the blood. Very quickly a special car came up from the barn. He helped to carry Mr. Newton on board and came down with him to the hospital. He was conscious all the way. No one there seemed to know him. Mr. Griffith knew he had seen him before, but couldn't tell where. On the way down to the hospital he said he was Frank Newton of Homer, and then they knew who he was. Mr. Griffith at once asked him if his wife was with him on the car and he replied "No, but I can hardly breathe. I can scarcely speak." As they carried him into the hospital he said "Oh, it is so hard for me to breathe." He passed away about five minutes later.
THE CORONER SUMMONED.
Among the first to be notified was Coroner Frank H. Green of Homer. He took note of the situation of affairs and viewed the dead body of Miss Kennedy and ordered it removed to the undertaking rooms of Briggs Bros. in Homer. He will make an investigation in his official capacity to locate if possible the responsibility for the deaths. This becomes the duty of the coroner alone, coroner's juries having been abolished Sept. 1.
The injured motorman and Mr. Newton were brought to the hospital where they were attended by Drs. Higgins, Sornberger and Carpenter of Cortland and Bradford of Homer. Mr. Newton died within five minutes after being taken into the hospital. The physicians found Mr. Chrysler suffering from cuts and bruises on the lips and forehead, also about the knees. He was in a half conscious condition and kept inquiring what had happened. It is feared that he also suffered internal injuries which may prove serious. The wonder is that he was not killed outright as he was hurled several feet south of the wreckage. He was reported as resting comfortably at the hospital as The STANDARD went to press.
After viewing the body of Mr. Newton at the hospital Coroner Green directed its removal to Briggs' undertaking rooms at Homer and it was taken there at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
Conductor Orson B. Smith when seen by a STANDARD man refused to talk about the affair, but said that the car did not stop, though he thought it slackened its speed.
RULES FOR EMPLOYEES.
General Manager Westcott of the Cortland & Homer Traction Co. was soon on the scene and directed the clearing of the wrecked car. He refused to talk about the matter, saying that he had not had time to learn the exact facts. He stated that the directions for the motormen are to stop 100 feet from that crossing and wait for the signal that all is clear from the conductor who is directed to go ahead to the steam road tracks with his flag and see if trains are approaching.
MISS KENNEDY.
Miss Kennedy was 53 years of age, and made it her home with her brother Thomas H. Kennedy, who brought her to Homer this morning. She was also a sister of John H. Kennedy of 31 Charles-st., Cortland and an aunt of Mrs. L. N. Hopkins, and Messrs. J. B. and T. J. Kennedy of Cortland.
MR. NEWTON.
Frank M. Newton was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Charles O. Newton of Homer. He was 36 years old last April. On Nov. 24, 1898, he was married to Miss J. Hortense Olney, who was the daughter of a former pastor of the Congregational church in Homer. His wife and parents survive him. He was one of the most highly respected of young men in Homer.
MOTORMAN CHRYSLER'S CONDITION.
Mr. Chrysler is resting easily at the hospital as The STANDARD goes to press. As he regained consciousness he inquired if he was at the hospital and where the "other fellow" on the car was. He has not made any statement in reference to the wreck and does not know how serious an accident has happened. His physician thinks that his injuries will not prove fatal unless some farther complications arise.
FIXING THE RESPONSIBILITY.
The fixing of the responsibility will be left for an official investigation by the proper authorities. It is a very sad affair, and every one connected with it in any way exceedingly regrets its occurrence.
The wrecking train arrived from Syracuse at 2:30 P. M. and the work of clearing up the wreck was immediately begun.
It is almost impossible for one who has not seen it to conceive of the havoc wrought with that trolley car. It was simply kindling wood. The momentum of the train was great and the smash must have been something awful. Part of one of the vestibules lies near the engine 85 rods down the track. Pieces were strewn in every direction.
Hundreds of people have visited the wreck this afternoon and the trolley cars have been rushed hard. The crossing of the railroad tracks is not interfered with.
The car that was demolished was one of the pair built by the Cortland Omnibus & Cab Co. and was one of the best cars on the road. It had been refinished only a few weeks ago.
PROSPER PALMER.
Death of one of the Oldest and Most Respected Residents of Cortland.
The STANDARD yesterday briefly noted the death of Prosper Palmer which occurred at 10 o'clock Tuesday evening from old age at his home, 56 Greenbush-st.
He was born Jan. 21, 1809, in a log house, now demolished, which was located on what is known as the gulf road north of McGraw in the then town of Homer, now Cortlandville. He was the sixth child of a family of nine children, three daughters and six sons. His father, Thomas Palmer, was a native of Bennington, Vt., and his mother, Abigail Dodge, was born in Colchester, Ct. Only one of his brothers is now living, Norman Palmer of Nortonville, Kan., born Dec. 5, 1810. The names of the other brothers and sisters follow with the years of their births, all now deceased: Sally, 1779; Israel, 1801; Luther, 1803; Lyman, 1805; Amanda, 1807; Miles, 1824; Thos. LeRoy, 1828.
Mr. Palmer's mother died in 1822, which broke up the family, and after that he went out to work for himself. He learned the trade of the carpenter and joiner, and some years later formed a partnership with Luke Gleason, father of Henry L. Gleason, for a sash and blind manufactory which they conducted in a large factory building at Polkville, two miles south of Cortland. Later he sold out his business and engaged as foreman of the sash and blind department at the mill of H. F. Benton, which position be held for fifteen years until he was seventy-five years old, when the infirmities of age compelled him to give up active labors, and since then he has lived in retirement with his wife at 56 Greenbush-st.
Mrs. Palmer is still living. She was the daughter of John Stlllman and Mary Hubbard and was born in Cortland March 17, 1812. She became the wife of Mr. Palmer Jan. 2, 1833, hence their married life extends over a period of nearly sixty-seven years, a fact which is especially remarkable when it is remembered that only an average of one in 11,000 couples reach the golden wedding mark. On each recurring wedding anniversary in late years, a number of old friends and neighbors have made it a point to call on Mr. and Mrs. Palmer for a short visit of congratulation.
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene W. Bates have lived with them during the last few years, Mrs. Bates being a daughter. He leaves also one other daughter, Mrs. Mary F. Gillette of Cortland, and two sons, Rev. Albert P. Palmer, pastor of the M. E. church at Camden, and W. C. Palmer of Cortland.
Mr. Palmer was a man of great nobility of character. His keen judgment was often recognized in many ways, and whenever sought was always found to be sound. His honesty was unquestionable and nothing but good could be spoken of him. He was a most devout Christian and for the last sixty-six years [he] had been a member of the First M. E. church. For over thirty years be led the choir in that church and had full charge of the church music.
Funeral services will be held from the family home on Greenbush-st. at 2 o'clock to-morrow afternoon, and his pastor. Rev. O. A. Houghton, D. D., will officiate. The pallbearers will be his four grandsons, F. Albert Bates and Prosper F. Gillette of Cortland and Morgan S. Palmer and Stillman F. Palmer of Camden, and the husbands of his two granddaughters, Clarence N. Tyler and Charles L. Munson of Cortland. Interment will take place in the Cortland Rural cemetery.
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| George F. Hoar. |
DUTY TO THE PHILIPPINES.
Theme Interestingly Discussed By Senator Hoar.
NEW YORK, NOV. 9.—Senator Hoar of Massachusetts has contributed an article on "Our Duty to the Philippines" to The Independent, which appears today. He begins with a review of the circumstances leading up to the war with Spain, of which he says: "I think it might have been averted and that Cuba could have been liberated by peaceful means if the counsel of Grant and Fish had been followed and if our public men in the senate had remembered that they were a part of the diplomatic power of this country; and it was unbecoming in them to indulge in bitter and stinging invectives against Spain, whether such invectives were just or unjust. But I do not feel inclined to judge these utterances severely. Something, as Burke said, must be pardoned to the spirit of liberality, and those utterances, though in my judgment unfortunate, came from brave, humane and liberty-loving souls."
As to our future attitude toward the Filipino people, Senator Hoar writes: "The time has come to make up your mind now. If you are to declare that you do not mean to subjugate them or to enslave them, that you will act toward them on the principles and in the spirit of your own declaration of independence, the war can be ended in an hour. The refusal to make this declaration in the beginning brought on this war, and your refusal now to declare yourselves is what is alone responsible for its continuance."
In conclusion, the senator says: "The American people, the brave and just people, who made the immortal declaration, and who maintained it with life and fortune and sacred honor, who established our wonderful constitution, to whose Monroe doctrine is due the freedom of the American continent from the Rio Grande to Cape Horn, have not changed their character or their principles in the twinkling of an eye under the temptation of any base motive or personal advantage or under the excitement of war. They are subject, doubtless, as all masses of men are subject however intelligent or however upright, to great waves of passion.
"But their sober second thought is to be trusted. Their deliberate action will be wise and just. The great passions by which they are stirred and by which their judgment is now clouded, are generous, noble and humane. Reason will resume its rightful sway and the great republic will remain a republic still."
D. F. WALLACE RESIGNS.
Edward Alley Appointed Supervisor of Town of Cortlandville.
When the town board of Cortlandville met in the office of Town Clerk T. H. Dowd this morning, it was presented with the two following letters which explains themselves:
To the Town Board of Cortlandville:
GENTLEMEN—I am advised by an eminent specialist that it would be unwise as well as injudicious for me to attempt to discharge the duties connected with my office the coming annual session. I am assured that my complete restoration to health is but a question of a few months providing I will follow his directions and abstain from everything connected with business for the time being. I have decided that my duty to my family, if not to myself, requires that I should follow this advice. That such a step is deemed necessary no one can regret so much as myself. This is true in a special sense in view of the circumstances under which the office was tendered me this last spring.
I herewith enclose my resignation, and desire at this time to express to you one and all my deep appreciation for the consideration shown, as well as the courtesies you have uniformly extended me. D. F. WALLACE, Cortland, N. Y., Nov. 9, 1899.
To the Town Board of Cortlandville:
GENTLEMEN—I herewith tender my resignation of the office of supervisor of the town of Cortlandville to take effect immediately upon the appointment and qualification of my successor. D. F. WALLACE, Cortland, N. Y., Nov. 9, 1899.
On motion the resignation was accepted and Edward Alley, cashier of the First National bank, was appointed by the board to fill out the unexpired term. Mr. Alley accepted the appointment and is to-day at work with the board auditing bills.
MR. PIERCE'S LECTURE
And Stereopticon Views at Universalist Church Wednesday Night.
A large and appreciative audience was at the Universalist church last night to listen to the lecture, "With Blanket and Camera in the Arizona Wonderland,'' by Rev. Ulysses G. B. Pierce of Ithaca. Mr. Pierce was a stranger to a Cortland audience, but the hearty applause which followed the conclusion of his lecture assured him that should he consent to visit Cortland again, he would be most enthusiastically received. About ninety pictures, eighteen feet square, were thrown upon the screen; every line was distinct and every photograph a gem. The combinations of light and shadow effects in the grand canyon of the Colorado have certainly never been surpassed, even by the magic though truthful art of photography, while the views of the Agate forest were both instructive and beautiful. A rather complete study of the Cliff Dwellers was made, and views illustrating the evolution of architecture among these strange people, long since extinct. Also pictures of their implements, domestic and of warfare, and mummies found in their abodes were presented.
Mr. Pierce has a pleasing manner of address and the lecture was bright with sudden scintillations of refined wit, while his descriptive matter was vivid and realistic. Should Mr. Pierce return to Cortland he will find a hearty welcome and a large audience awaiting him.
Mrs. H. D. Keeling.
Cornelia Lucy Abbott, eldest daughter of Alfred Abbott and wife of Henry D. Keeling, was born in East River in the town of Homer, March 4, 1845, in which town she spent her whole life. She received her education in the common schools and in the old Homer academy under the principalship of Prof. Clark, assisted by Prof. Sanford and Prof. Daniels. Early in life she united with the First Baptist church of Homer of which she was a consistent and worthy member at the time of her death. Her vocation while a young lady was teaching in the common school and her work was marked by a good degree of success.
On Sept. 25, 1865, she was united in marriage to Henry D. Keeling by the Rev. Geo. H. Brigham, then pastor of her church. She was devoted to her family, kind hearted and generous, ever mindful of the needs of others, and her happiest moments were those spent in ministering to the want of those by whom she was surrounded.
She is survived by her husband and three children—a son, Fred D. Keeling, and two daughters, Mrs. Fred M. Terrill and Miss Bertha M. Keeling, all of Homer. She also leaves an aged father, Alfred Abbott, a sister, Mrs. Eliza T. Frisbie and a brother, Frank H. Abbott, all of Homer.
She suffered greatly from a lingering illness of over a year and despite all that loving hands and medical skill could, do, she passed away on the morning of Nov. 4 to her rest beyond the shores of time. Funeral services were held from her late home Monday, Nov. 6, and were conducted by the Rev. C. W. Negus, her pastor. Burial was made in the Homer cemetery.
BREVITIES.
—The work meeting of Farther Lights society will be held at Mrs. Eastman's, 19 Elm-st. on Friday evening at 7:30.
—The bodies of the late Henry W. Sage and wife have been removed from the Ithaca City cemetery to a final resting place in Sage Chapel.
—Over ten thousand bushels of apples have been received at the apple evaporator in this village. A great quantity now in store.—Groton Journal.
—There has been a great crowd all day at the late Edwin M. Hulbert house attending the auction. Women were especially in evidence there and prices were running high. There were so many things to sell that it did not seem as though the sale could be completed to-day.
—About fifty young men gathered at the Y. M
C. A. rooms last night to hear the
stereopticon lecture on "Manhattan Island and the Highlands of the
Hudson," and to see the views. The pictures were clear and were finely
brought out by Mr. Wesson with his stereopticon. The lecture of Prof. Bickmore
was read by a member of the committee.
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