Allegheny County PA Archives-  Newspaper: Boyd, James, 12 Sep 1878

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Michael S. Caldwell, Jan 2010

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Altoona, PA: Altoona Morning Tribune, issue of Friday, 13 September 1878, p.
4, cols. 1-3
 
FEARFUL COLLISION.
NINE MEN JAMMED INTO A WRECK AT NINTH STREET CROSSING.
Two Persons Probably Fatally Injured.
Yard Supervisor McCully's Feet
Mashed and Amputated, and Assistant Conductor Johnson Terribly Bruised and
Cut--Several Others Badly Hurt.
Some Narrow Escapes.
Full Particulars of the Accident.
 
The driver of C.C. Stanberger's grocery wagon about 3:30 o'clock yesterday
afternoon rushed into the store at the corner of Seventeenth street and
Eighth avenue and communicated with a blanched face and trembling lips the
startling intelligence that five men had just been killed by the cars at the
railroad crossing at Ninth street. The news was soon distributed throughout
the neighborhood, and a crowd of people ran in the direction of the accident,
where already many people had assembled, the blood-curdling facts having
previously penetrated to many sections of the town. While the information was
exaggerated as to fatal results the number of wounded people was understated.
Nine persons had been hurt in various degrees, and the reports and rumors
were of a sufficiently terrifying and shocking nature to create the wildest
excitement throughout the city. Men were struck speechless with astonishment,
women wrung their hands in agony, and children wept tears of fear; for who
could tell whose brothers, husbands or fathers lay mangled and bleeding on the
track?
 
When a TRIBUNE reporter arrived at the scene of the accident, a few yards
below Ninth street, the unfortunate victims had been removed, and the remains
of two cars, one of which was not recognizable as the costly and valuable
"trackometer," was all that was left to give evidence of a frightful
collision. A heavy box-car loaded with coal was bearing its immense weight
upon the wreck of the trackometer, which had been shot under the freight car
with fearful velocity and split and broken into hundreds of pieces.. A lot of
railroad iron with which it was ballasted was being taken from the ruins, and
large quantities of broken iron and wood of all the kinds used in the
construction of the cars were scattered about in dire confusion. Workmen were
removing the debris as rapidly as possible, while knots of people stood about
discussing the matter and the probable results to the men who were so unlucky
as to be caught in the disaster.
 
There were there persons who could have been witnesses of the calamity who,
with no desire to see fellow beings crushed and mangled under the wheels of
clashing railway cars, closed their eyes when the final crash came, and only
saw what they could not avoid--the inevitable finale of two trains going in
opposite directions upon--practically at the time--one track. The noise was
terrific, and when fearful eyes were opened broken and bruised bodies met
their gaze.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED.
 
About 3 o'clock P.M. a party of employes of the railroad company started
from Mr. McCormick's office, at the upper end of the yard, for the purpose of
proceeding to the office of James H. Cramer, train dispatcher, at the extreme
lower end of the yard. They were aboard of engine No. 910, which was pushing
the "trackometer" car, the uses and general appearance of which is so
generally known to our people that a description is not necessary. Suffice it
to say, for the benefit of the unfamiliar, that to a casual observer the
trackometer would, at a short distance, have the appearance of a small
pleasure car. Upon the car were Joseph H. Sands, the yard master; C.P.
McCully, yard supervisor; Special Conductor James Boyd, of Pittsburgh, and
Griffith Garrard, a passenger brakeman. The engine crew consisted of George
M. Jackson, engineer; Taylor Grant, conductor; Joseph Johnson, assistant
conductor; S.W. Arble, fireman, and D.W. Baumgardner, brakeman. The car
proceeded on its way, and the rate of speed at which it passed down the yard is put by some as low
as twenty miles an hour, and by others as high as thirty-five. The majority
of the reports, however, which are of course conflicting, agree in the
statement that the rate of speed was an unusually rapid one. Orders had been
given to run fast, and the engineer complied, as it was generally understood
that there was a clear track. The car was noticed flying down the rails, and
some speculation was indulged in as to the probable consequence of a possible
accident. All went well until a curve near Ninth street was reached, when
suddenly there was noticed a car ahead, which appeared to be occupying the
same track as the one upon which the party was riding. It took but a moment
to satisfy the engineer of the danger, and the engine was immediately
reversed, but the condition of the track and the impetus the iron horse had
received operated against a stoppage. The feelings of the occupants can be
better imagined than described. Each one thought only of escape, and, with bated 
breath, each watched the opportunity. Some succeeded in jumping, while
others were hurled with tremendous force, as they themselves and the
spectators thought to instant death, among the ruins of the wreck. The last
box-car of a freight train was almost out of the way when the little
trackometer, propelled by the powerful motor in its rear, was dashed into and
under the car, raising it from its wheels and crushing the diminutive concern
almost level with the earth. Then there was a hurrying to and fro and the
search for the injured, many of whom were observed as they were
 
THROWN INTO THE DEATH MILL,
 
began. [sic] With the exception of Messrs. Sands, McCully and Johnson, the
men succeeded in jumping from the engine and from the trackometer before the
collision occurred. Mr. McCully was taken from the ruins with both feet
mashed terribly; Mr. Johnson was very seriously hurt on the head and
internally, while Mr. Sands escaped with a broken arm and a couple of slight
cuts, although considerably shocked.
 
James Boyd, the special conductor, was unable to get out of the car in time
to escape being caught by them, was thrown by the concussion clean through
the cab and landed on top of the end of the engine's boiler, behind the steam
gauge.
 
Griffith Garrard, the passenger brakeman, remained on the trackometer as
long as he thought safe in the hope that the engine would be checked, and
when within about twenty feet of the freight car jumped and fell on a
parallel track.
 
Geo. M. Jackson, the engineer, jumped and alighted on some person whom he
took to be Garrard, which broke his fall and probably saved his life.
 
Taylor Grant, conductor, jumped when about three car lengths from the
freight car, and was thrown for a considerable distance. He got off with some
ugly cuts on his hands, and was walking on the street in an hour or two
afterward.
 
S.W. Arble, the fireman, jumped, and fell on his head and shoulders. His
injuries, though severe, are not dangerous, and he was taken to his home on
Sixteenth street. Mr. Arble has had several narrow escapes on the railroad,
and to-day rejoices in a sound leg which he owes to his persistent refusal to
permit amputation when cut up in an accident less than a year ago.
 
D.W. Baumgardner, the brakeman, sprang from the engine when within a few
feet of the subsequent wreck, sustaining half a dozen severe cuts on his head
and face and a three-inch cut to the bone below his right knee-joint. He was
supported as far as Ninth street, when his strength failed him, and he was
carried to his home at Ninth street and Eleventh avenue.
 
THE INJURED AT THEIR HOMES.
 
Joseph B. Johnson resides at No. 2113 Seventh avenue. The unfortunate man
remained in the vicinity of the disaster for some time, when a stretcher was
procured and he was placed in a wagon and conveyed to his home between 4 and
5 o'clock. A TRIBUNE reporter visited the residence last night. Dr. Findley,
of Twelfth street and Eighth avenue, who attended him, told the family that
he believed Mr. Johnson's right lung was torn in some manner; two of his ribs
were broken, beside other internal injuries, and he is very dangerously cut
about the head. Mr. Johnson is the support of a wife and six children. His
condition last night was critical, and he was suffering intense agony. It had
been reported early in the evening that he was dead. People in the
neighborhood say that the wagon in which he was taken home was roughly
driven, and that the injured man begged piteously to be taken out and
carried. Mrs. Johnson is a slight woman, but she exhibited a great deal of
firmness under the trying circumstances, and poured out her husband's medicine with a very
steady hand. As but one person had volunteered to watch with him during the
night Mayor Hurd said he would procure additional assistance.
 
Messrs. Sands, McCully, Boyd and Garrard were carried to the Logan House,
where they were attended by Drs. Wm. R. Findley, Christy, Walker, Rowe, Allen
and others. Dr. Fay was at Bell's Mills, and as Mr. McCully especially
requested that he attend to his injuries. Mr. John Reilly, superintendent of
transportation, sent an engine after him.
 
Mr. McCully lay in room 126, a pleasant third-story apartment of the Logan
House. He reclined upon a stretcher, and when a reporter entered Dr. Walker
was at the head of the couch administering ether to the wounded young man.
The amputation of both feet about half-way to the knee had already been very
successfully performed by Dr. Fay, assisted by Dr. Christy, and the arteries
and veins were being closed. Mr. McCully is not injured internally, but his
hands are slightly bruised, upon which he fell as he jumped. The wheels ran
over his feet, and he was carried under the wreck. He moaned considerably at
times even when under the influence of the drug, and turned once or twice.
The physicians say that few men stand an amputation so well as he. During the
evening, after the effects of the ether had passed off, he chatted pleasantly
with friends who called, but a little later, while reaction was taking place,
the visitors were limited, as McCully was not feeling quite so well. Ho!
wever, it is the opinion of the doctors that unless tetanus or some unlooked
for change supervenes the patient will undoubtedly recover. Word of the sad
occurrence was sent to Mr. McCully's family at Ardmore, Pa.
 
James Boyd occupied room 96. Mr. Boyd has some ugly and deep cuts about the
face and head, one near his right temple being especially noticeable. His
face and nose are swollen. Beyond this and a generally "stove up" condition,
he said he felt very well. In dragging himself out of the debris of the cab
of the engine, which was badly wrecked, he tore his pantaloons and vest. His
escape, in his condition, was miraculous. There are no internal injuries in
his case. Mr. Boyd's wife was telegraphed for and is probably with him at
this hour.
 
Griffith Garrard, whose residence is at Pittsburgh, sat upon a chair in the
Logan House in room 94. As a reporter entered Mr. Garrard treated him with a
pleasant "How do you do," and turning around exposed a face literally covered
with strips of white court-plaster. When he fell on the track after jumping
his face struck a rail, and he received a deep gash on the nose between the
eyes and several severe cuts on the forehead. He was also cut and bruised in
the left side and upon his hands. His injuries, while severe, are not serious.
 
Mr. Sands was in bed in room 100. His broken arm had been set. His bruises
did not amount to much, but he felt somewhat shaken up. Mr. Sands was resting
easily and was receiving every attention.
 
A visit to the residence of Mr. Baumgardner, who lives with his mother on
the corner of Ninth street and Eleventh avenue, revealed the fact that he was
suffering very little pain. It was thought by many that Mr. Baumgardner had
been more seriously hurt than was at first supposed, but Dr. Hall, who was
called in, has no fears for him. His mother says she heard the noise of the
collision and started to run to the railroad crossing, some one having told
her that David was killed. Another person informed her that he was not hurt,
but she met the men who were taking him home. Mrs. Baumgardner said the young
man complained a great deal of pain in his head, and could not relate
anything in regard to the calamity. At last account Mr. Baumgardner was doing
very well, and the doctor was of opinion that he would be all right in a few
days. 
 
THE ENGINEER'S STORY OF THE COLLISION.
 
Mr. George M. Jackson, the engineer, who lives in Sixth avenue, between
Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, and who only escaped being under the wreck by
about five feet, saved his life by unwittingly jumping upon Garrard. He
suffered some bruises and cuts in the knees and a three-cornered gash was
made in the thumb of his left hand. Mr. Jackson displayed presence of mind on
this occasion that is worthy of special mention. His story is perhaps the
most lucid explanation of the mass of conflicting reports. He said that he
had received verbal orders to run the trackometer rapidly through the yard--
the idea evidently being to test the rails. Going down he said he noticed
some cars in motion, and presumed they were on No. 1 south siding, as it was
understood the way would be clear. A closer view strengthened his opinion
that the cars were on the same track with his engine. He immediately reversed
the engine, opened the throttle and gave it steam, and applied the airbrake.
The track was wet and slippery and in such a condition that the wheels slid, and all
the power of the engine was fruitless to check the impetus it had gained. The
car that was struck was the last of a train of thirty freights that were in
motion and crossing from the south track to the north side. The train, he
says, was loaded with coal. The engine was detached from it at the time, and
it was the intention to swing across to another track for the purpose of
"dropping" the loaded cars to a siding at the lower end of the yard. When Mr.
Jackson saw the imminent danger he pulled the whistle rope. On his first
attempt to reverse the engine the reverse lever slipped, and he reversed
again, and it was at this time that he opened the throttle and gave the
engine steam. Had it not been for the slippery condition of the rails the
engine would doubtless not have run into the car, and of course, as soon as a
body not easily moved was struck the engine recovered equilibrium, as it
were, and shot back with almost as strong momentum as with which it ran into the fre
ight car. It was at this point that Mr. Jackson's presence of mind was
exhibited. Recovering himself, he perceived the engine moving away from the
wreck. He remembered the open throttle and the consequent head of steam, and
he made a dash for the engine, climbed upon her, and walked over the
footboard to the cab. He was unable to observe the throttle through the mass
of debris, but succeeded in scraping away enough of the broken material to
enable him to find the throttle, which he closed, and the engine came to a
halt. Otherwise there is no telling the result, with the machine tearing up
the yard with the velocity at which it started. Jackson then got down from
the engine and fell exhausted in his father's arms, when he was conveyed to
his home in a carriage. A physician dressed his wounds, and he felt able to
take supper with the family, but soon after, not feeling quite so well, he
lay down. No fears are entertained for him, as he is not injured internally.
 
THE VERY LATEST FROM THOSE SERIOUSLY HURT.
 
A TRIBUNE reporter again visited Mr. Johnson's residence about 1 o'clock
this morning and found that he had been resting easy since 9 o'clock and was
then sleeping. He complained somewhat of his legs and a pain in his right
breast. Mrs. Johnson said she feared the worst, as he had been in bad health
most of the summer and had lost much time.
 
About 2:30 o'clock this morning reports reached this office that Mr. Johnson
had died after the TRIBUNE reporter saw him at 1 o'clock, and the news had
been telegraphed to relatives. Inquiry at the telegraph offices showed that
no dispatches had been sent.
 
Reports from Messrs. McCully, Sands, Garrard and Boyd up to 1 o'clock this
morning were that each felt well in proportion to their different conditions.
 
A rumor is to the effect that the person who was intrusted with the written
instructions to the party on the engine and trackometer carried them around
in his pocket until too late for delivery. There is no voucher for the truth
of this, however.
___________________________
 
Altoona, PA: Altoona Tribune, issue of Saturday, 14 September 1878, p. 4,
col. 2
 
THE COLLISION.
Condition of the Injured Men Yesterday--Mr. Johnson's Critical Situation.
 
There is little more to relate in connection with the accident in the yard
in this city on Thursday afternoon, which was for many hours the sole topic
of conversation and speculation. As the excitement dies away men resume their
occupations, thinking of the narrow escape of all concerned from death, and
each having their theory of how the collision occurred. The rumor in regard
to the person who it was understood had carried instructions about in his
pockets until too late to be delivered seems to have no foundation in fact.
The same party did not know that the train was not running upon correct time,
and no orders had been given to keep a clear track. Engineer Jackson was
governed, he says, by orders from Mr. Sands, and if he had thought there was
a probability of obstructions upon the rails he certainly would have kept a
lookout.
 
The condition of the wounded men yesterday, with the exception of Joseph B.
Johnson, was very favorable. Mr. Johnson was not so well last evening as the
night before, though when a reporter called he was sleeping, and the
information was given that from 2 o'clock until 8 yesterday morning he had
slept well. His constitution is weak and his previous ill health is a
drawback. The physician in attendance states that his condition is very
critical, and he may die at any time. Mr. Johnson sustained, among his other
injuries, a fracture of the skull over his left eye. His pulse was regular
last evening, although there was a tendency to coldness in his hands and
feet. Mr. McClellan, superintendent of the Logan House, very kindly carried
him some nourishment yesterday, and instructions were left that if the
injured man desired anything the family should send word to the hotel. Mr.
Johnson's family is large, and the unfortunate man is probably in need. Some
gentlemen were conversing in regard to his circumstances and Councilman Mateer started a list with
fifty cents for his benefit, which was received at this office. Any money
donated by friends of the family will be sent to them from the TRIBUNE office
if the donors please to leave it at this establishment.
 
Mr. McCully was resting easily yesterday, it was said at the Logan House.
Some of his friends have arrived. Mr. Boyd's wife came in answer to a
telegram night before last, and returned to Pittsburgh yesterday for some
necessaries. His sister was nursing him when a reporter called last evening,
and he appeared to be comfortable. Mr. Garrard said he felt all right with
the exception of his head. The bone of his nose was split, and this gave him
some uneasiness, but as he could breathe freely through it he thought it
would be in time. In fact, he spoke of being about again in a day or two. Mr.
Sands was all right with the exception of some stiffness. Messrs. Arble,
Baumgardner and Jackson are all doing well. Taylor Grant, as was reported
yesterday, was able to be about soon after the accident.
_______________________
 
Altoona, PA: Altoona Tribune, issue of Monday, 16 September 1878, p. 4, col. 1
 
The Condition of the Injured on Thursday.
 
The condition of Mr. Joseph Johnson, so dangerously hurt in the collision on
Thursday afternoon, was not improved yesterday. He was breathing with more
ease last evening, although a bad feature of his case was the fractured bone
over his eye pressing against his brain, causing his mind to wander at time.
His situation is not such as to encourage hope of his recovery.
 
The balance of the injured men were still improving. It was reported that
Mr. McCully had a sinking spell, but such was not the case. Mr. Arble walked
down street on Saturday.
 
LATER--DEATH OF MR. JOHNSON.
 
Information reached this office about 2 o'clock this morning through Captain
E.L. Russ, the brother-in-law of Mr. Johnson, whose condition was so
precarious about 9 o'clock last night, that the unfortunate man died at
twenty minutes to 2 A.M.
________________________________
 
Altoona, PA: Altoona Tribune, issue of Wednesday, 18 September 1878, p. 4,
col. 3
 
Funeral of Joseph B. Johnson.
 
The funeral of Joseph B. Johnson, one of the victims of last Friday's yard
collision, will take place this (Wednesday) afternoon. The funeral services
will be held in the Eighth Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, whither the
remains will be taken from his late residence.