FATAL ACCIDENT ON E. C. & N. RAILROAD



Map courtesy of DeWitt Historical Society, Ithaca, N. Y.

 

The Cortland News, Friday, October 30, 1885.

FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE E. C. & N.

An Engineer and Brakeman Killed and a Fireman Fatally Injured.

   About 4 o'clock last Saturday afternoon a terrible accident occurred on the E. C. & N. road, near Swartwood, by which engineer Brown and brakeman Charles Judd lost their lives, fireman Roe received probably fatal injuries, and Conductor Rogers sustained a fracture of one of his legs besides receiving painful internal injuries.

   A coal train consisting of twenty-eight loaded flat cars in charge of Conductor Rogers with Lew Knight engineer and Charles Judd, brakeman left Horseheads Saturday afternoon for the east. Another engine with William Brown, of this place, as engineer, and Robert Roe, fireman, was detailed to help the loaded train up the hill to Park Station where they were to take a side track and let the evening passenger [train] for the east pass them.

   After reaching the top of the hill the empty engine started down on the side of the hill toward Swartwood and stopped with the vacuum brakes on to allow the coal train to back in upon the siding. In the hurry to get into the switch engineer

   Knight let his train get a little too far down the grade and his engine was unable to hold the train. He sounded down brakes but the train could not be checked and it came rushing down upon the empty engine at a rate of about sixty miles an hour. Engineer Knight's engine sent forth shriek after shriek to warn the advance engine t o get out of the way but for some reason or other neither Brown nor his fireman heard the warning. The engine on the coal train struck the tender of the other with terrible force telescoping it.

   Brown was thrown out of one side of the cab and the fireman on the other. The train of coal cars was piled up in a great heap and brakeman Judd buried in the mass. Engineer Brown was found soon after on the side of the track dead with his [neck] broken, and the fireman, Roe, had his skull crushed and it is doubtful if he can recover.

   Wreckers were at once put to work on the mass of coal and wood that but a few minutes before constituted the train but it was not until Monday morning that brakeman Judd's body was found, and then it bore hardly a resemblance to a human person.

   Conductor Rogers suffered a broken leg and painful internal injuries. Engineer Knight and his fireman escaped injury with the exception of a severe shaking up.

   The body of Brown was brought to his home in this village Sunday morning, and the funeral was held with Odd Fellows ceremonies from his late residence at 8 a. m., Tuesday morning the body being taken to Varna for interment. He leaves a wife and one child. All the engines on the E. C. & N. are draped in mourning for his untimely death.

 

 

HIS PRETENSES EXPOSED.

Has the Superintendent of the Poor Lessened Expenses?

THE STORY TOLD IN FIGURES.

   The following table, compiled from the Supervisors’ Journals of the comparative expenses, shows that the drum and trumpet cry that a great reduction in the expenses of the County House has been made is mere humbug.

   Although provisions were lower during the last four years than during the administration of Mr. Blanchard, yet notwithstanding, the average cost of supporting a pauper per week, for a period of four years, is $1.17 under Mr. Murray, and $1.04 under Mr. Blanchard. See how the keeper's bills have jumped up.

 

 

   From $942.00 in the first year of Blanchard's administration, these bills have climbed up to $1,562.00 in 1882, $1,500.00 in 1883, and $1,499.00 in 1884. Verily, Hillsinger hath a "snap."

   Observe the political chicane the figures disclose. In 1882 Mr. Murray was running for the office and the expense account must be forced down and accordingly accounts are kept back and carried over to the next year, and the cost of keeping a pauper leaps up from $1.09 in 1882 to $1.49 in 1883. 1884 is just before election and the cost is forced down to $0.96 as claptrap for voters. How many accounts has the Superintendent kept back? Judging from the political jugglery of the past it will cost $2.00 per week to keep a pauper after election.
 

 

“QUIET ON THE POTOMAC.”

General McClellan Expires Thursday Morning.

   NEWARK. Oct. 29.—Gen. Geo. B. McClellan died soon after midnight of neuralgia of the heart. He came home about six weeks ago from a trip in the West with his family and had been under a physician's care about two weeks. Nothing serious was expected until he was taken worse yesterday and died surrounded by the members of his family. Invitations had been issued for a reception at the General's residence this evening. He died at St. Cloud, Orange Mountain, where he had lived for twenty years.

 

 

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   Frank Gillett, a farmer living about two miles south of Cortland, was taken to the Middletown Asylum on Monday. His insanity was caused by brooding over financial troubles.

   Truxton comes to the front with the boss big pumpkin. Solomon Bemis, of that place, has raised several this season that weighed over 50 pounds and one monster tipped the beam at 74 pounds.

   Next Monday evening at the Cortland Opera House will be presented the grand spectacular production, "Streets of New York," the most thrilling American play ever written. The admission has been placed at 25, 35 and 50 cents.

   If you receive a circular from New York city stating that an organ will be sent to you to introduce it to your neighborhood, but that you must send $4 to pay freight, don't you do it. It is a new swindle and only a ten cent mouth organ.

   The Fort Opera company has been engaged by Manager Rood to present Sullivan's Japanese Opera "The Mikado" at the Opera House next Tuesday evening. This piece is now having a successful run in New York, and will be presented here with elegant costumes and scenery. The Fort Opera Company ranks high among similar organizations and has excellent artists and good support. Reserved seats on sale at Bushby's. Election returns will be announced from the stage between the acts.

   The Buffalo Courier in speaking of the "Streets of New York" which will be presented at the Opera House next Monday evening says:—"The melodrama is calculated to please and interest a popular audience, and it is no wonder that each performance was witnessed and appended by as many people as the house could well hold. George C. Boniface, an old favorite, gives an effective rendition of the reckless but kind hearted Badger, and the numerous other characters are satisfactorily cared for. The mounting of the play is excellent and the Union Square and fire scenes are specially deserving of praise." Reserved seats 50 cents now on sale at Bushby's.

   A special car was run over the street railroad last Tuesday afternoon bearing the trustees of the villages of Homer and Cortland, the directors of the road and others invited by Mr. Garrison to inspect the road, car barns, etc. The road was found in excellent working order and the completeness of the barns was acknowledged by all. The car barn is commodious and is provided with a truck on a level with the floor for shitting the cars from one track to another. The horse barns are provided with wide stalls, water and conveniences for ventilation. All were well pleased with the excellent manner in which the work has been done. It is believed that the fares on the road will soon be arranged more in accordance with the wishes of the public.—Homer Republican.

   The penalty for selling a cigarette to a boy or girl under 16 years, in New Hampshire, has been made $20 for each offense. The same law should be in effect in this State.—Cortland Democrat.
   It would be but for the veto of a Democratic governor [Cortland News].

 

Reference:

A History of Railroads in Tompkins County by Hardy Campbell Lee, Revised and Expanded, Third Edition, 2008, DeWitt Historical Society. http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/11518/6/A%20History%20of%20Railroads%20in%20Tompkins%20County.pdf

 

 

Railroad Smash-Up at Jersey City and Cortland Local News of 1885

The Cortland News, Friday, October 22, 1885.

Railroad Smash-Up.

   JERSEY CITY. Oct 20—About 8:30 o'clock Sunday night the Pacific express, west bound, ran into the rear end of an extra train containing seven cars loaded with baggage and eight cars loaded with 800 immigrants, mostly Norwegians, at the west end of the Hackensack river bridge, throwing the rear car of the emigrant train over on the east bound track

   Before the track could be protected an east bound Lehigh Valley passenger train ran into the wreck killing nine persons and injuring eight others so severely that it is feared none of them can recover.

   A terrible scene was presented by the wrecked cars. The bodies of the dead and wounded lay about in the most horrible forms. Some were buried beneath piles of broken timbers, others lay huddled about the track. One woman's head was cut completely off. The head rolled down the embankment while the mangled body lay between the tracks. It was almost pitch dark and foggy, and the only light was that of the fire which enveloped the baggage car of the Western express. The wild shrieks of the suffering could be heard tor blocks away.

   Thousands of spectators and hundreds of train wreckers gathered at the scene of the wreck this morning. The broken trucks to the wrecked trains were quickly removed and the mire searched for the bodies of more victims. None were found.

   The tracks were cleared and trains began again to run and wreckers began the lifting and removal of the disjointed big Lehigh Valley engine which had crashed into the rear of the emigrant and which lay on its side half buried in the meadow. They began work on the pilot first. Directly beneath it they found the torn and mangled bodies of two boys and a woman. They were lifted tenderly and placed in a car. No one knew them, but from their garb they were immigrants, but their faces were so cut and bloody and besmeared with the black mud that immediate recognition was impossible.

   They were removed to the Jersey City morgue and at 3 o'clock this morning Chief of Police Murphey of Jersey City placed Thomas H. Platt, the telegraph operator at the east end of the Hackensack river bridge, and whose error is said to have caused the accident, under surveillance. At 7 o'clock when he was relieved from duty he was arrested. He said that while he had been advised by operators all along the line to run away, he had determined to stop at his post and take the consequences for his terrible mistake. He said that he had allowed three minutes for the immigrant train to cross the bridge and without waiting for the signal "O. K." had permitted the southern express to pass. He is now in jail awaiting the result of the coroner's inquest.

   It is thought that when the engine is removed, a work that will take several hours to complete, more bodies will be found. It is now thought that all the injured in the hospital will die.

 

TOWN CORRESPONDENCE.

South Cortland, October 22, 1885.

   Again we hear complaints of the depredations of chicken thieves.

   Our school commences next Monday with Miss Mary Hunt as teacher; and then will be heard the merry voices of the school children as they pass to and fro with dinner pail in hand.

   The subject of prohibition is receiving more attention at the present day than ever before in the history of the world. How to restrict the drink traffic is the greatest problem now before the American people.

   How much better it is to lose your vote when voting for principle than to vote against your principles and have your vote count.

   Mr. and Mrs. Frank Haskins are visiting this week with friends in Preble, Fabius and Kinney Settlement.

 

PREBLE, October 22, 1885.

   "Who says it aint hard times?" A few of the farmers have sold their butter, and after paying help will have from two to five dollars to winter their families on. What is the cause? A Democratic administration, of course.

   Our academy under the new teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Coon, is maintaining its excellent reputation, and flattering reports are received of excellent discipline and thorough instruction under their management.

 

WEST HOMER, October 22, 1885.

   The West Homer cheese factory has sold their fall cheese tor ten cents per pound.

   A number from this place attended the prohibition meeting at the Opera House Cortland, last Saturday night.

 

LATE NEWS ITEMS.

   A phenomenal migration of squirrels is now in progress from Northwestern Mississippi in direction of Arkansas. They are crossing the Mississippi from innumerable points along the line twenty miles in length and are migrating westward through See and Crittenden counties, Ark. They are traveling in thousands, and the people who live along the line of their march are killing them with sticks in countless numbers. Enterprising men are following them in wagons, slaughtering as they go and shipping the carcasses to the nearest market. They seem to have lost all fear of man, and in some instances have attacked hunters. A similar migration was observed thirteen years ago and is well remembered by old citizens.

 

The Recent Rain.

   The heavy rain that started on Tuesday evening caused considerable damage throughout this state and worked havoc with the railroads.

   Near Binghamton it raised the streams so as to submerge farms on the low lands and carried away piles of apples and potatoes that were gathered and awaiting removal to the houses, and in Binghamton cellars were flooded.

   The Chenango river at that place rose Wednesday afternoon, by actual measurement, in two hours and ten minutes over fourteen inches.

   At Owego the tracks of the Erie and Southern Central Railroads were covered so deeply with water that it became necessary to abandon trains.

   At Horseheads it was reported that people were being removed from their residences in boats for fear the houses would be carried away. The tracks of the E., C. & N. R. R. at the latter place were washed out of position, causing the suspension of traffic for nearly one whole day, so that no trains came in from Elmira until Wednesday night.

 

Abundance of Water.

   Rain commenced failing about six o'clock Tuesday evening and at midnight Trout brook had risen over two feet. Rain continued during the night and all the day yesterday but not so abundantly as at the outset. James Rowe's hen house was washed out and a number of hens drowned. About two rods of the wall forming the creek bank in the rear of P. H. McGraw & Son's factory grounds was washed out and the water commenced eating into the bank, but yesterday a quantity of brush and stone was put into the gap and prevented further damage. An empty tub standing clear from any eaves caught four and a half inches of water direct from the clouds during the night.

—McGrawville Sentinel.

 

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   The Marathon tannery which was destroyed by fire a few weeks since will be rebuilt.

   Special sale of Upholstered Walnut couches—only $6.00 Robert Otto, No. 8 Orchard street, Cortland.

   The afternoon train from the East on the E. C. & N. was two hours late on Wednesday. The report that the track was covered four feet with snow at DeRuyter is false—only two feet fell.

   Pat Ryan repaired to his domicile last Monday evening in a beastly state of intoxication and proceeded to amuse his wife with his fists. Mrs. Ryan objected to the sport with a dipper, applied on the nose, and afterwards had Patrick arrested for intoxication and assault and battery. Justice Bierce allowed him to repose at the county's expense in the Bastille for 10 days in default of enough filthy lucre to pay his fine.

   The electric lights failed to shine either upon the just or unjust Tuesday evening. The contract of the village with the light company only calls for twenty nights lighting each month, as it is supposed fair Luna will shed her beams the other ten. But when it rains like blazes and the clouds won't let her shed, it seems as if some means might be provided for furnishing the light whether the moon ought to shine or not.

   Work is being pushed rapidly on the new Bank Building. The fronts are nearly all to, stagings have been removed from the front part, and the whole thing begins to look as if a finish was near. Painters commenced work the fore part of this week in the upper stories and the lower one will be ready by the time the men are [done.] In fact the building is so near completion that the lessees of the store on the south side are in hope of getting in in the course of a couple of weeks.

   One of the heaviest rainstorms that has visited this section in some time occurred last night, and this morning there is a flood in the river, the water being well above the banks. The creek that runs underground under West Main street and thence to the river, has become dammed up somewhere back of the Maybury building, and is flowing across Mill street in a broad sheet, and thence between Huits' market and John O'Connell's house. On Academy and Tannery streets the turfing in front of the Catholic church, and A. C. Robacher's and W. R. Pollard’s premises has again partially washed off. We understand that at Lisle several houses near the depot are surrounded by water. Wm. Dellow informs us that Hunt's creek is higher at his factory than it has been for years.--Marathon Independent.

   Saturday afternoon last Clayton Gardner, of McGrawville, and Pat. Doud of this place, ran a one hundred yard race on O. U. Kellogg's track for a purse of fifteen dollars. Gardner was successful, winning in 11 1-4 seconds.

   District Attorney Palmer and T. E. Courtney, Esq., are at Glen Haven for medical treatment.

   The principals of the State Normal and Training Schools were in Cortland Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week, it being the regular semi-annual meeting for the purpose of discussing Normal School work and how to improve the efficiency of the schools. Dr. Palmer, of Potsdam. Dr. Milne, of Geneseo, Dr. Sheldon, of Oswego, and Prof. Clark, of Potsdam, were present. Dr. Sheldon and Dr. Milne addressed the school Wednesday afternoon, and Dr. Palmer and Prof. Cook Thursday afternoon. Dr. Hoose gave a reception to the visiting principals, the faculty and local board of the Cortland school Wednesday evening. Prof. A. S. Bickmore, Superintendent of the American Museum of Natural History, of Central Park, N. Y., lectured Thursday evening at the Normal chapel to a large audience on "Yellowstone Park," illustrating the lecture with stereoptic views.



Reference:
Meadow Station, N.J. train wreck: http://www3.gendisasters.com/new-jersey/12919/meadow-station-nj-train-wreck-oct-1885

VOTE FOR J. LORENZO COTTON

 

The Cortland News, Friday, October 23, 1885.

VOTE FOR

OUR CANDIDATE,

J. Lorenzo Cotton, For Sheriff.

     We believe he is well qualified and would perform the duties of

the office for the best interests of all concerned. He has a war record

second to no soldier in the county, and we believe he would appreciate

his election more than your tears and flowers after he is dead.

     He enlisted in Co. B of the old 76th Regt., September 20, 1861;

was badly wounded Aug. 29/62, at the battle of second Bull Run, and

left on the field for eight days during which time he suffered from his

wound and for want of food and water; was paroled and sent to

Washington; returned to his regiment as soon as well and was again

wounded in three places the first morning of the battle of Gettysburg,

July 1/63, and again a prisoner during the battle, suffering severely

from a dangerous and painful wound and from loss of blood; was left

on the field by the Rebs. the morning of the 4th of July and cared for

and operated upon by Dr. Barnes, Surgeon of the Regt. Returned to

the regiment again and was struck by a spent ball in front of Petersburg,

June 17/64:—was badly bruised but not obliged to leave the

Regiment. He re-enlisted and when the old 76th was disbanded at the

expiration of term of service he was transferred to the 147th N. Y.,

and was again wounded Feb. 7/65 at the battle of  Hatchers Run, at

which battle he was highly complimented on the field by Maj. Covey,

Capt. Penfield and others for coolness and bravery; was discharged

for disability, at York, Pa., June 20, '65.

     He has since the war been elected six times in succession Supervisor

of his native town (Taylor) and is a man of pure morals in the

strictest sense, and we believe has the confidence and respect of all

who know him, but is poor and belongs to the "dinner-pail brigade."

We ask your kind consideration of our candidate.

He carries two rebel bullets in his body to-day.—Adv.


Recommended:
76th Regiment New York Volunteers: http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/76thInf/76thInfCWN.htm 

A Give Away

 

The Cortland News, Friday, October 16, 1885.

Sewing Machine Swindle.

   About a year ago an agent, who was selling Singer sewing machines for Mee of Cortland, left a machine at Joseph Smith's on trial. The machine remained there until a few weeks ago, when a couple of men who had been repairing machines in this vicinity, called at Mr. Smith's and said that they were authorized to take the machine as the former agent had gone out of the business.

   Taking the machine up to M. N. Thompson they disposed of it to him tor $15 and skipped. In about a week Mr. Mee appeared in town and with the aid of certain legal papers took possession of the machine, informing Thompson that the parties who sold him the machine had no claim to it and were sharpers. Thompson has since been trying to get out papers for their arrest, but says the authorities are incapable of getting out the required papers, and consequently he will be obliged to allow himself to be swindled out of his hard earned money.--Cincinnatus Register.

 

Lilly Devereux Blake

 

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   T. H. Wickwire has sold his trotting mare "Jane R,”  to a party in New York for $5,000.

    The Rev. C. H. Tindell will officiate at the services in Grace Episcopal church on Sunday October 18.

   Mrs. Lillie Devereaux Blake will deliver an address in the Universalist church next Monday evening. October 19. Subject "The New Republic." Admission free.

   Judge Noah Osborne, of McGrawville, and Mrs. Atwater, aged 72, of Homer, were married at the home of the bride Thursday last October 8.

   James Jenman, of this place, went to Syracuse and put himself under the care of R. W. Pease of St. Joseph’s Hospital, where be will be treated tor stricture of the bladder.

   Horace L. Bronson and F. A. Bickford returned on Monday morning from a week's fishing at Cross Lake, north of Jordan. They brought with them about eighty pounds of bass, pickerel, and other members of the finny tribe, which were distributed among friends. The most interesting specimen was a cat fish weighing nearly eight pounds which they succeeded in keeping alive, and which proved a great source of amusement to the small boys who gazed upon it.

   By order of Chief Cleary the fire department were turned out in a hurry last Monday evening for a practice drill. Orris Hose Company left the engine house at the tap of the bell, ran to the hydrant at the Cortland House corner and had two streams of water in one minute and fifty-five seconds. Emerald Hose Company, left the house at the same time, ran to the hydrant in front of B. E. Miller's residence, and had one stream in two minutes and twenty-three seconds. It is but justice to the Emeralds, however, to say that only a few of that company were present, the major portion being away practicing for the hose race at Syracuse. The time made by both was first class and shows that quick work can be done by Cortland's fire laddies.

   J. M. Judd, a former conductor on the old U. I. & E. R. R., but tor several years past a resident of Florida, was calling on friends in this place the fore part of this week.

 

Prohibition Meeting.

   The Cortland Opera House was filled to overflowing last Saturday evening by persons who wished to hear all sides of the political question, as well as the staunch prohibitionists who think a political movement the only way to bring about the reform they pray for.

   C. B. Hitchcock was chosen President, with a number of Vice Presidents and Secretaries.

   C. B. Freeman, Prohibition candidate for State Senator was the first speaker, and he was followed by L. S. Crandall.

   H. Clay Bascom, the candidate for Governor, next came forward and for over an hour held his hearers spell bound. Mr. Bascom is an able speaker and his reasons were sound and logical.

 

A Give Away.

   The publishers of this paper, to make it an incentive for subscribers who are in arrears, will make a present of a New Home Sewing Machine to some one of our subscribers who pays up what is back, and one year in advance. The same offer is also made to all who pay one year in advance for the paper. The mode we propose to use is this: Every one who pays up in advance will receive a ticket with a number on it. We shall retain duplicate numbers which will be placed in a box, and on the first day of January next some disinterested party will draw one number from the box and the person holding the corresponding number will be entitled to the machine upon presentation of the ticket bearing the number. By this means we will not know who is the lucky person until the party calls for the machine.

   The present we give is a New Home Sewing Machine, No. 4, with tucker, ruffler, full set of hemmers, binder, corder and thread cutter, the retail price of which is $55.00. For further particulars see this paper next week or send to this office for information.

S. H. STROWBRIDGE & Co.

Reference:

Lilly Devereux Blake: http://ncpedia.org/biography/blake-lillie-devereux