Oscar died of complications from injuries received in a railway accident. The sensational story was relayed in The Lock Haven Express on Thursday, November 18, 1890 as follows:
A RUNAWAY TRUCK
-----------------------------
Causes a Fearful Collision Near Ferney Last Night
-----------------------------
TWO MEN INSTANTLY KILLED
-----------------------------
Four Seriously Injured, Several of Whom Will Probably Die.
-----------------------------
HOW THE CATASTROPHE OCCURRED
-----------------------------
It Takes Place on the Ferney Mountain Railroad One Mile from the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad - Names of the Dead and Wounded - Medical Aid Summoned From This City to Alleviate the Sufferings of the Injured - The Coroner's Jury - A Full and Graphic Account by An "Express" Representative Who Visited the Scene of the Disaster.
Black Hollow, on the Ferney Mountain Railroad, was the scene last night of a terrible accident by which two men were killed outright and four others were badly injured. The Ferney Mountain railroad is a short line extending from Ferney station, on the Philadelphia & Erie railroad, to a point four and a half miles out into the lumber woods where Daniel Shepp, of Tamaqua, has lumbering operations in progress. Ferney is twelve miles west of Lock Haven. Last night, at about 5:30, the men employed at cutting prop timber, in the woods at the terminns of the railroad, quit their work and started to ride on an eight wheel truck to the boarding house which is located a short distance from the Philadelphia & Erie railroad. The eight men were Israel Boyer, foreman, William Ramstine, John Davis, Henry Eisinger, David Spade, Horace Freed, Oscar Grugan and Ad Yocum. The truck on which they proposed to ride four and a half miles down the mountain, had been taken out to the woods with a locomotive. At 5:10 the engineer left with his engine intending to go as far as Black Hollow switch, where he was to take out two cars loaded with prop timber.
THE RIDE TO DEATH.
The men had gone some distance toward the boarding house when they came to a place where the grade was greater and they noticed that their descent was becoming more rapid. Israel Boyer, the foreman, was at the brakes, which he applied with such strength as to stop the wheels from revolving. The rails were wet with the drizzling rain which was falling and the brakes had no effect towards checking the speed of the truck. Another steep decline was reached and the truck was flying at lightning speed. The sturdy woodsman realized their danger, and when about a half mile from Black Hollow switch, Ad Yocum, David Spade, Oscar Grugan and William Ramstine, jumped from the truck. Yocum and Spade escaped with but slight injuries. The other four men, John Davis, Henry Eisinger, Israel Boyer and Horace Freed, remained on the truck. From the time the four men jumped off until the truck collided with the locomotive at Black Hollow, was but an instant. When the collision came the truck was smashed into a thousand pieces, and the men were sent flying through space until they came in contact with something stationary. Thomas White, the engineer, was on his engine and Charles Streck, fireman, was standing on the ground near the engine. W. J. Williams, of Pine Station, was standing on an embankment above the railroad track only a short distance from the engine. The shades of night were falling and in the deep hollows along Ferney run it was already growing dark. The scene was one which men who witnessed the accident will never forget. The cries of the injured caused the men to devote their attention first to them. As quickly as possible a messenger was dispatched to Farrandsville, five miles distant, from where a telegram was sent to Lock Haven, asking that physicians be sent at once to care for the injured. The dead and injured were tenderly lifted and placed upon an empty truck and taken to the boarding house, a mile distant, where all was done to alleviate the sufferings of the injured until the arrival of the physicians.
THE DEAD AND INJURED
The names of the dead and injured with their places of residence are as follows:
Killed - John Davis, of Tamaqua; Henry Eisinger, of Beavertown, Snyder county.
Injured - Oscar Grugan, lives on opposite side of the river from Ferney, skull fractured and physicians say he cannot recover. William Ramatine, concussion of the brain. Israel Boyer, Lock Haven, left foot crushed, scalp wound and back injured. Physicians amputated two of his toes. Horace Freed, of Beavertown, right leg fractured above and below the knee, knee cap torn loose.
Boyer and Freed were both suffering great pain today. Freed was taken to the hospital at Williamsport, and Boyer was removed to his home in this city today. They were brought down on Day Express train. The body of Eisinger was sent on direct to Beavertown, and that of Davis was taken to the home of Israel Boyer, on Henderson street, this city.
CARING FOR THE INJURED
The telegram sent from Farrandsville to this city requesting physicians to go to Ferney and care for the injured men was received soon after seven o'clock. Doctors Ball, Hayes and Watson responded to the call and went to Ferney on Fast Line at 8 o'clock. The boarding house to which the injured men were taken is only a short distance from the Philadelphia and Erie railroad, and there the physicians found the suffering woodsmen. Their wounds were dressed and the sufferers made as comfortable as medical skill could do, and the doctors returned to this city again on the midnight train. A messenger also arrived by that train to notify Coroner Mader that his services needed, and undertaker Bricker was also informed that he was expected to furnish coffins for the dead and prepare the bodies for burial.
WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED
Black Hollow, where the accident occurred, is about one mile distant from the Philadelphia & Erie railroad. At Black Hollow, there is a switch, and trucks are run in on a siding to be loaded with prop timber. When Thomas White, the engineer, left the men at the terminus of the road at 5:10 p.m., he came as far back as the Black Hollow switch and stopped his engine there, intending to take out the loaded cars. He had just finished filling the tank with water, when he heard the men who were coming on the truck hallowing. He reached his hand up to grasp the rope, which, when pulled, would set the whistle to sounding, but before he could do so the collision occurred. Williams, who stood on the embankment above the track, and saw the collision, says the truck came like a flash of lightning. The engineer had the brakes set on his engine but the force of the collision sent the heavy locomotive back the length of itself. David Spade and Ad Yocum, the men who escaped with but slight injuries, jumped from the truck at the top of the first hill. Oscar Grugan was the next man to jump and he was found lying among the rocks where he had fallen. William Ramstine followed Grugan when he jumped, and it is thought his head struck a stump. Davis' head struck against a railroad tie and his death was no doubt instantaneous.
THE CORONER'S INQUEST
Coroner Mader went to Ferney this morning to hold an inquest on the bodies of Davis and Eisinger. The Coroner empaneled as jurors B. F. Winters, J. H. Crouse, Alexander Zessinger, Joseph Ronion, C. E. Waite and Joe M. Jefferis. The bodies of the dead men lay in one of the rooms of a building used as a place for sleeping by the woodsmen. A number of witnesses were before the jurors, after which the investigation was adjourned until this evening when the jurors will reassemble at the office of Coroner Mader and hear further testimony.
All of the men who were on the truck when it came flying down the mountainside were unmarried with the exception of Israel Boyer and John Davis. The latter leaves a wife, but no children. Mrs. Davis is staying at the home of Israel Boyer on Henderson street, this city, and is almost frantic with grief. Oscar Grugan, the young man whose skull is fractured and whose death is likely to result to day from his injuries, is about 23 years of age and a son of John S. Grugan. The young man is a nephew of County Commissioner John Grugan.
William Boyer, of this city, is the general superintendent of Daniel Shepps' lumbering operations on Ferney run. Israel Boyer, one of the men injured, is a son of the superintendent, and John Davis, who was killed, is his brother-in-law. Superintendent Boyer was unremitting in his attentions to the injured men and did all that could possibly be done to ease their sufferings and make them comfortable.
There are only four houses at Ferney, and the nearest telegraph station is five miles distant. It was consequently after 8 o'clock last night before the physicians who went from this city could reach Ferney. The news of the terrible accident was quickly spread thoughout the city last night and the list of the dead and injured greatly exaggerated. Editor Dillon, of the Renovo News, was on the train going from this city to Renovo last night and stopped off at Ferney. He and a representative of the Express were the only newspaper men at the scene of the disaster.
FLYING THROUGH SPACE
Israel Boyer, the forman, was the man who applied the brakes to the wheels of the truck. He stated this morning that after the car reached the bottom of what is called "the hill" it seemed to fairly fly through space. The speed was frightful, and he thinks it was over one hundred miles an hour. His only thought was of the safety of the men who were with him, and he had but little time to think of his own danger. Engineer White also said the speed was frightful to think of, and the rate at which the truck shot down the mountain was difficult to comprehend.
This afternoon the physicians amputated Israel Boyer's foot. The remains of John Davis will be taken to Tamaqua for burial. The deceased was aged about 30 years. Eisinger, whose remains were forwarded to Beavertown today was aged 52 years. Grant Beaver, one to the men employed by Mr. Boyer, accompanied the body.
Oscar died of complications several months later, eight days after his father died. Oscar died on the day he was to be married.
A RUNAWAY TRUCK
-----------------------------
Causes a Fearful Collision Near Ferney Last Night
-----------------------------
TWO MEN INSTANTLY KILLED
-----------------------------
Four Seriously Injured, Several of Whom Will Probably Die.
-----------------------------
HOW THE CATASTROPHE OCCURRED
-----------------------------
It Takes Place on the Ferney Mountain Railroad One Mile from the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad - Names of the Dead and Wounded - Medical Aid Summoned From This City to Alleviate the Sufferings of the Injured - The Coroner's Jury - A Full and Graphic Account by An "Express" Representative Who Visited the Scene of the Disaster.
Black Hollow, on the Ferney Mountain Railroad, was the scene last night of a terrible accident by which two men were killed outright and four others were badly injured. The Ferney Mountain railroad is a short line extending from Ferney station, on the Philadelphia & Erie railroad, to a point four and a half miles out into the lumber woods where Daniel Shepp, of Tamaqua, has lumbering operations in progress. Ferney is twelve miles west of Lock Haven. Last night, at about 5:30, the men employed at cutting prop timber, in the woods at the terminns of the railroad, quit their work and started to ride on an eight wheel truck to the boarding house which is located a short distance from the Philadelphia & Erie railroad. The eight men were Israel Boyer, foreman, William Ramstine, John Davis, Henry Eisinger, David Spade, Horace Freed, Oscar Grugan and Ad Yocum. The truck on which they proposed to ride four and a half miles down the mountain, had been taken out to the woods with a locomotive. At 5:10 the engineer left with his engine intending to go as far as Black Hollow switch, where he was to take out two cars loaded with prop timber.
THE RIDE TO DEATH.
The men had gone some distance toward the boarding house when they came to a place where the grade was greater and they noticed that their descent was becoming more rapid. Israel Boyer, the foreman, was at the brakes, which he applied with such strength as to stop the wheels from revolving. The rails were wet with the drizzling rain which was falling and the brakes had no effect towards checking the speed of the truck. Another steep decline was reached and the truck was flying at lightning speed. The sturdy woodsman realized their danger, and when about a half mile from Black Hollow switch, Ad Yocum, David Spade, Oscar Grugan and William Ramstine, jumped from the truck. Yocum and Spade escaped with but slight injuries. The other four men, John Davis, Henry Eisinger, Israel Boyer and Horace Freed, remained on the truck. From the time the four men jumped off until the truck collided with the locomotive at Black Hollow, was but an instant. When the collision came the truck was smashed into a thousand pieces, and the men were sent flying through space until they came in contact with something stationary. Thomas White, the engineer, was on his engine and Charles Streck, fireman, was standing on the ground near the engine. W. J. Williams, of Pine Station, was standing on an embankment above the railroad track only a short distance from the engine. The shades of night were falling and in the deep hollows along Ferney run it was already growing dark. The scene was one which men who witnessed the accident will never forget. The cries of the injured caused the men to devote their attention first to them. As quickly as possible a messenger was dispatched to Farrandsville, five miles distant, from where a telegram was sent to Lock Haven, asking that physicians be sent at once to care for the injured. The dead and injured were tenderly lifted and placed upon an empty truck and taken to the boarding house, a mile distant, where all was done to alleviate the sufferings of the injured until the arrival of the physicians.
THE DEAD AND INJURED
The names of the dead and injured with their places of residence are as follows:
Killed - John Davis, of Tamaqua; Henry Eisinger, of Beavertown, Snyder county.
Injured - Oscar Grugan, lives on opposite side of the river from Ferney, skull fractured and physicians say he cannot recover. William Ramatine, concussion of the brain. Israel Boyer, Lock Haven, left foot crushed, scalp wound and back injured. Physicians amputated two of his toes. Horace Freed, of Beavertown, right leg fractured above and below the knee, knee cap torn loose.
Boyer and Freed were both suffering great pain today. Freed was taken to the hospital at Williamsport, and Boyer was removed to his home in this city today. They were brought down on Day Express train. The body of Eisinger was sent on direct to Beavertown, and that of Davis was taken to the home of Israel Boyer, on Henderson street, this city.
CARING FOR THE INJURED
The telegram sent from Farrandsville to this city requesting physicians to go to Ferney and care for the injured men was received soon after seven o'clock. Doctors Ball, Hayes and Watson responded to the call and went to Ferney on Fast Line at 8 o'clock. The boarding house to which the injured men were taken is only a short distance from the Philadelphia and Erie railroad, and there the physicians found the suffering woodsmen. Their wounds were dressed and the sufferers made as comfortable as medical skill could do, and the doctors returned to this city again on the midnight train. A messenger also arrived by that train to notify Coroner Mader that his services needed, and undertaker Bricker was also informed that he was expected to furnish coffins for the dead and prepare the bodies for burial.
WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED
Black Hollow, where the accident occurred, is about one mile distant from the Philadelphia & Erie railroad. At Black Hollow, there is a switch, and trucks are run in on a siding to be loaded with prop timber. When Thomas White, the engineer, left the men at the terminus of the road at 5:10 p.m., he came as far back as the Black Hollow switch and stopped his engine there, intending to take out the loaded cars. He had just finished filling the tank with water, when he heard the men who were coming on the truck hallowing. He reached his hand up to grasp the rope, which, when pulled, would set the whistle to sounding, but before he could do so the collision occurred. Williams, who stood on the embankment above the track, and saw the collision, says the truck came like a flash of lightning. The engineer had the brakes set on his engine but the force of the collision sent the heavy locomotive back the length of itself. David Spade and Ad Yocum, the men who escaped with but slight injuries, jumped from the truck at the top of the first hill. Oscar Grugan was the next man to jump and he was found lying among the rocks where he had fallen. William Ramstine followed Grugan when he jumped, and it is thought his head struck a stump. Davis' head struck against a railroad tie and his death was no doubt instantaneous.
THE CORONER'S INQUEST
Coroner Mader went to Ferney this morning to hold an inquest on the bodies of Davis and Eisinger. The Coroner empaneled as jurors B. F. Winters, J. H. Crouse, Alexander Zessinger, Joseph Ronion, C. E. Waite and Joe M. Jefferis. The bodies of the dead men lay in one of the rooms of a building used as a place for sleeping by the woodsmen. A number of witnesses were before the jurors, after which the investigation was adjourned until this evening when the jurors will reassemble at the office of Coroner Mader and hear further testimony.
All of the men who were on the truck when it came flying down the mountainside were unmarried with the exception of Israel Boyer and John Davis. The latter leaves a wife, but no children. Mrs. Davis is staying at the home of Israel Boyer on Henderson street, this city, and is almost frantic with grief. Oscar Grugan, the young man whose skull is fractured and whose death is likely to result to day from his injuries, is about 23 years of age and a son of John S. Grugan. The young man is a nephew of County Commissioner John Grugan.
William Boyer, of this city, is the general superintendent of Daniel Shepps' lumbering operations on Ferney run. Israel Boyer, one of the men injured, is a son of the superintendent, and John Davis, who was killed, is his brother-in-law. Superintendent Boyer was unremitting in his attentions to the injured men and did all that could possibly be done to ease their sufferings and make them comfortable.
There are only four houses at Ferney, and the nearest telegraph station is five miles distant. It was consequently after 8 o'clock last night before the physicians who went from this city could reach Ferney. The news of the terrible accident was quickly spread thoughout the city last night and the list of the dead and injured greatly exaggerated. Editor Dillon, of the Renovo News, was on the train going from this city to Renovo last night and stopped off at Ferney. He and a representative of the Express were the only newspaper men at the scene of the disaster.
FLYING THROUGH SPACE
Israel Boyer, the forman, was the man who applied the brakes to the wheels of the truck. He stated this morning that after the car reached the bottom of what is called "the hill" it seemed to fairly fly through space. The speed was frightful, and he thinks it was over one hundred miles an hour. His only thought was of the safety of the men who were with him, and he had but little time to think of his own danger. Engineer White also said the speed was frightful to think of, and the rate at which the truck shot down the mountain was difficult to comprehend.
This afternoon the physicians amputated Israel Boyer's foot. The remains of John Davis will be taken to Tamaqua for burial. The deceased was aged about 30 years. Eisinger, whose remains were forwarded to Beavertown today was aged 52 years. Grant Beaver, one to the men employed by Mr. Boyer, accompanied the body.
Oscar died of complications several months later, eight days after his father died. Oscar died on the day he was to be married.
Oscar died of complications from injuries received in a railway accident. The sensational story was relayed in The Lock Haven Express on Thursday, November 18, 1890 as follows:
A RUNAWAY TRUCK
-----------------------------
Causes a Fearful Collision Near Ferney Last Night
-----------------------------
TWO MEN INSTANTLY KILLED
-----------------------------
Four Seriously Injured, Several of Whom Will Probably Die.
-----------------------------
HOW THE CATASTROPHE OCCURRED
-----------------------------
It Takes Place on the Ferney Mountain Railroad One Mile from the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad - Names of the Dead and Wounded - Medical Aid Summoned From This City to Alleviate the Sufferings of the Injured - The Coroner's Jury - A Full and Graphic Account by An "Express" Representative Who Visited the Scene of the Disaster.
Black Hollow, on the Ferney Mountain Railroad, was the scene last night of a terrible accident by which two men were killed outright and four others were badly injured. The Ferney Mountain railroad is a short line extending from Ferney station, on the Philadelphia & Erie railroad, to a point four and a half miles out into the lumber woods where Daniel Shepp, of Tamaqua, has lumbering operations in progress. Ferney is twelve miles west of Lock Haven. Last night, at about 5:30, the men employed at cutting prop timber, in the woods at the terminns of the railroad, quit their work and started to ride on an eight wheel truck to the boarding house which is located a short distance from the Philadelphia & Erie railroad. The eight men were Israel Boyer, foreman, William Ramstine, John Davis, Henry Eisinger, David Spade, Horace Freed, Oscar Grugan and Ad Yocum. The truck on which they proposed to ride four and a half miles down the mountain, had been taken out to the woods with a locomotive. At 5:10 the engineer left with his engine intending to go as far as Black Hollow switch, where he was to take out two cars loaded with prop timber.
THE RIDE TO DEATH.
The men had gone some distance toward the boarding house when they came to a place where the grade was greater and they noticed that their descent was becoming more rapid. Israel Boyer, the foreman, was at the brakes, which he applied with such strength as to stop the wheels from revolving. The rails were wet with the drizzling rain which was falling and the brakes had no effect towards checking the speed of the truck. Another steep decline was reached and the truck was flying at lightning speed. The sturdy woodsman realized their danger, and when about a half mile from Black Hollow switch, Ad Yocum, David Spade, Oscar Grugan and William Ramstine, jumped from the truck. Yocum and Spade escaped with but slight injuries. The other four men, John Davis, Henry Eisinger, Israel Boyer and Horace Freed, remained on the truck. From the time the four men jumped off until the truck collided with the locomotive at Black Hollow, was but an instant. When the collision came the truck was smashed into a thousand pieces, and the men were sent flying through space until they came in contact with something stationary. Thomas White, the engineer, was on his engine and Charles Streck, fireman, was standing on the ground near the engine. W. J. Williams, of Pine Station, was standing on an embankment above the railroad track only a short distance from the engine. The shades of night were falling and in the deep hollows along Ferney run it was already growing dark. The scene was one which men who witnessed the accident will never forget. The cries of the injured caused the men to devote their attention first to them. As quickly as possible a messenger was dispatched to Farrandsville, five miles distant, from where a telegram was sent to Lock Haven, asking that physicians be sent at once to care for the injured. The dead and injured were tenderly lifted and placed upon an empty truck and taken to the boarding house, a mile distant, where all was done to alleviate the sufferings of the injured until the arrival of the physicians.
THE DEAD AND INJURED
The names of the dead and injured with their places of residence are as follows:
Killed - John Davis, of Tamaqua; Henry Eisinger, of Beavertown, Snyder county.
Injured - Oscar Grugan, lives on opposite side of the river from Ferney, skull fractured and physicians say he cannot recover. William Ramatine, concussion of the brain. Israel Boyer, Lock Haven, left foot crushed, scalp wound and back injured. Physicians amputated two of his toes. Horace Freed, of Beavertown, right leg fractured above and below the knee, knee cap torn loose.
Boyer and Freed were both suffering great pain today. Freed was taken to the hospital at Williamsport, and Boyer was removed to his home in this city today. They were brought down on Day Express train. The body of Eisinger was sent on direct to Beavertown, and that of Davis was taken to the home of Israel Boyer, on Henderson street, this city.
CARING FOR THE INJURED
The telegram sent from Farrandsville to this city requesting physicians to go to Ferney and care for the injured men was received soon after seven o'clock. Doctors Ball, Hayes and Watson responded to the call and went to Ferney on Fast Line at 8 o'clock. The boarding house to which the injured men were taken is only a short distance from the Philadelphia and Erie railroad, and there the physicians found the suffering woodsmen. Their wounds were dressed and the sufferers made as comfortable as medical skill could do, and the doctors returned to this city again on the midnight train. A messenger also arrived by that train to notify Coroner Mader that his services needed, and undertaker Bricker was also informed that he was expected to furnish coffins for the dead and prepare the bodies for burial.
WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED
Black Hollow, where the accident occurred, is about one mile distant from the Philadelphia & Erie railroad. At Black Hollow, there is a switch, and trucks are run in on a siding to be loaded with prop timber. When Thomas White, the engineer, left the men at the terminus of the road at 5:10 p.m., he came as far back as the Black Hollow switch and stopped his engine there, intending to take out the loaded cars. He had just finished filling the tank with water, when he heard the men who were coming on the truck hallowing. He reached his hand up to grasp the rope, which, when pulled, would set the whistle to sounding, but before he could do so the collision occurred. Williams, who stood on the embankment above the track, and saw the collision, says the truck came like a flash of lightning. The engineer had the brakes set on his engine but the force of the collision sent the heavy locomotive back the length of itself. David Spade and Ad Yocum, the men who escaped with but slight injuries, jumped from the truck at the top of the first hill. Oscar Grugan was the next man to jump and he was found lying among the rocks where he had fallen. William Ramstine followed Grugan when he jumped, and it is thought his head struck a stump. Davis' head struck against a railroad tie and his death was no doubt instantaneous.
THE CORONER'S INQUEST
Coroner Mader went to Ferney this morning to hold an inquest on the bodies of Davis and Eisinger. The Coroner empaneled as jurors B. F. Winters, J. H. Crouse, Alexander Zessinger, Joseph Ronion, C. E. Waite and Joe M. Jefferis. The bodies of the dead men lay in one of the rooms of a building used as a place for sleeping by the woodsmen. A number of witnesses were before the jurors, after which the investigation was adjourned until this evening when the jurors will reassemble at the office of Coroner Mader and hear further testimony.
All of the men who were on the truck when it came flying down the mountainside were unmarried with the exception of Israel Boyer and John Davis. The latter leaves a wife, but no children. Mrs. Davis is staying at the home of Israel Boyer on Henderson street, this city, and is almost frantic with grief. Oscar Grugan, the young man whose skull is fractured and whose death is likely to result to day from his injuries, is about 23 years of age and a son of John S. Grugan. The young man is a nephew of County Commissioner John Grugan.
William Boyer, of this city, is the general superintendent of Daniel Shepps' lumbering operations on Ferney run. Israel Boyer, one of the men injured, is a son of the superintendent, and John Davis, who was killed, is his brother-in-law. Superintendent Boyer was unremitting in his attentions to the injured men and did all that could possibly be done to ease their sufferings and make them comfortable.
There are only four houses at Ferney, and the nearest telegraph station is five miles distant. It was consequently after 8 o'clock last night before the physicians who went from this city could reach Ferney. The news of the terrible accident was quickly spread thoughout the city last night and the list of the dead and injured greatly exaggerated. Editor Dillon, of the Renovo News, was on the train going from this city to Renovo last night and stopped off at Ferney. He and a representative of the Express were the only newspaper men at the scene of the disaster.
FLYING THROUGH SPACE
Israel Boyer, the forman, was the man who applied the brakes to the wheels of the truck. He stated this morning that after the car reached the bottom of what is called "the hill" it seemed to fairly fly through space. The speed was frightful, and he thinks it was over one hundred miles an hour. His only thought was of the safety of the men who were with him, and he had but little time to think of his own danger. Engineer White also said the speed was frightful to think of, and the rate at which the truck shot down the mountain was difficult to comprehend.
This afternoon the physicians amputated Israel Boyer's foot. The remains of John Davis will be taken to Tamaqua for burial. The deceased was aged about 30 years. Eisinger, whose remains were forwarded to Beavertown today was aged 52 years. Grant Beaver, one to the men employed by Mr. Boyer, accompanied the body.
Oscar died of complications several months later, eight days after his father died. Oscar died on the day he was to be married.
A RUNAWAY TRUCK
-----------------------------
Causes a Fearful Collision Near Ferney Last Night
-----------------------------
TWO MEN INSTANTLY KILLED
-----------------------------
Four Seriously Injured, Several of Whom Will Probably Die.
-----------------------------
HOW THE CATASTROPHE OCCURRED
-----------------------------
It Takes Place on the Ferney Mountain Railroad One Mile from the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad - Names of the Dead and Wounded - Medical Aid Summoned From This City to Alleviate the Sufferings of the Injured - The Coroner's Jury - A Full and Graphic Account by An "Express" Representative Who Visited the Scene of the Disaster.
Black Hollow, on the Ferney Mountain Railroad, was the scene last night of a terrible accident by which two men were killed outright and four others were badly injured. The Ferney Mountain railroad is a short line extending from Ferney station, on the Philadelphia & Erie railroad, to a point four and a half miles out into the lumber woods where Daniel Shepp, of Tamaqua, has lumbering operations in progress. Ferney is twelve miles west of Lock Haven. Last night, at about 5:30, the men employed at cutting prop timber, in the woods at the terminns of the railroad, quit their work and started to ride on an eight wheel truck to the boarding house which is located a short distance from the Philadelphia & Erie railroad. The eight men were Israel Boyer, foreman, William Ramstine, John Davis, Henry Eisinger, David Spade, Horace Freed, Oscar Grugan and Ad Yocum. The truck on which they proposed to ride four and a half miles down the mountain, had been taken out to the woods with a locomotive. At 5:10 the engineer left with his engine intending to go as far as Black Hollow switch, where he was to take out two cars loaded with prop timber.
THE RIDE TO DEATH.
The men had gone some distance toward the boarding house when they came to a place where the grade was greater and they noticed that their descent was becoming more rapid. Israel Boyer, the foreman, was at the brakes, which he applied with such strength as to stop the wheels from revolving. The rails were wet with the drizzling rain which was falling and the brakes had no effect towards checking the speed of the truck. Another steep decline was reached and the truck was flying at lightning speed. The sturdy woodsman realized their danger, and when about a half mile from Black Hollow switch, Ad Yocum, David Spade, Oscar Grugan and William Ramstine, jumped from the truck. Yocum and Spade escaped with but slight injuries. The other four men, John Davis, Henry Eisinger, Israel Boyer and Horace Freed, remained on the truck. From the time the four men jumped off until the truck collided with the locomotive at Black Hollow, was but an instant. When the collision came the truck was smashed into a thousand pieces, and the men were sent flying through space until they came in contact with something stationary. Thomas White, the engineer, was on his engine and Charles Streck, fireman, was standing on the ground near the engine. W. J. Williams, of Pine Station, was standing on an embankment above the railroad track only a short distance from the engine. The shades of night were falling and in the deep hollows along Ferney run it was already growing dark. The scene was one which men who witnessed the accident will never forget. The cries of the injured caused the men to devote their attention first to them. As quickly as possible a messenger was dispatched to Farrandsville, five miles distant, from where a telegram was sent to Lock Haven, asking that physicians be sent at once to care for the injured. The dead and injured were tenderly lifted and placed upon an empty truck and taken to the boarding house, a mile distant, where all was done to alleviate the sufferings of the injured until the arrival of the physicians.
THE DEAD AND INJURED
The names of the dead and injured with their places of residence are as follows:
Killed - John Davis, of Tamaqua; Henry Eisinger, of Beavertown, Snyder county.
Injured - Oscar Grugan, lives on opposite side of the river from Ferney, skull fractured and physicians say he cannot recover. William Ramatine, concussion of the brain. Israel Boyer, Lock Haven, left foot crushed, scalp wound and back injured. Physicians amputated two of his toes. Horace Freed, of Beavertown, right leg fractured above and below the knee, knee cap torn loose.
Boyer and Freed were both suffering great pain today. Freed was taken to the hospital at Williamsport, and Boyer was removed to his home in this city today. They were brought down on Day Express train. The body of Eisinger was sent on direct to Beavertown, and that of Davis was taken to the home of Israel Boyer, on Henderson street, this city.
CARING FOR THE INJURED
The telegram sent from Farrandsville to this city requesting physicians to go to Ferney and care for the injured men was received soon after seven o'clock. Doctors Ball, Hayes and Watson responded to the call and went to Ferney on Fast Line at 8 o'clock. The boarding house to which the injured men were taken is only a short distance from the Philadelphia and Erie railroad, and there the physicians found the suffering woodsmen. Their wounds were dressed and the sufferers made as comfortable as medical skill could do, and the doctors returned to this city again on the midnight train. A messenger also arrived by that train to notify Coroner Mader that his services needed, and undertaker Bricker was also informed that he was expected to furnish coffins for the dead and prepare the bodies for burial.
WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED
Black Hollow, where the accident occurred, is about one mile distant from the Philadelphia & Erie railroad. At Black Hollow, there is a switch, and trucks are run in on a siding to be loaded with prop timber. When Thomas White, the engineer, left the men at the terminus of the road at 5:10 p.m., he came as far back as the Black Hollow switch and stopped his engine there, intending to take out the loaded cars. He had just finished filling the tank with water, when he heard the men who were coming on the truck hallowing. He reached his hand up to grasp the rope, which, when pulled, would set the whistle to sounding, but before he could do so the collision occurred. Williams, who stood on the embankment above the track, and saw the collision, says the truck came like a flash of lightning. The engineer had the brakes set on his engine but the force of the collision sent the heavy locomotive back the length of itself. David Spade and Ad Yocum, the men who escaped with but slight injuries, jumped from the truck at the top of the first hill. Oscar Grugan was the next man to jump and he was found lying among the rocks where he had fallen. William Ramstine followed Grugan when he jumped, and it is thought his head struck a stump. Davis' head struck against a railroad tie and his death was no doubt instantaneous.
THE CORONER'S INQUEST
Coroner Mader went to Ferney this morning to hold an inquest on the bodies of Davis and Eisinger. The Coroner empaneled as jurors B. F. Winters, J. H. Crouse, Alexander Zessinger, Joseph Ronion, C. E. Waite and Joe M. Jefferis. The bodies of the dead men lay in one of the rooms of a building used as a place for sleeping by the woodsmen. A number of witnesses were before the jurors, after which the investigation was adjourned until this evening when the jurors will reassemble at the office of Coroner Mader and hear further testimony.
All of the men who were on the truck when it came flying down the mountainside were unmarried with the exception of Israel Boyer and John Davis. The latter leaves a wife, but no children. Mrs. Davis is staying at the home of Israel Boyer on Henderson street, this city, and is almost frantic with grief. Oscar Grugan, the young man whose skull is fractured and whose death is likely to result to day from his injuries, is about 23 years of age and a son of John S. Grugan. The young man is a nephew of County Commissioner John Grugan.
William Boyer, of this city, is the general superintendent of Daniel Shepps' lumbering operations on Ferney run. Israel Boyer, one of the men injured, is a son of the superintendent, and John Davis, who was killed, is his brother-in-law. Superintendent Boyer was unremitting in his attentions to the injured men and did all that could possibly be done to ease their sufferings and make them comfortable.
There are only four houses at Ferney, and the nearest telegraph station is five miles distant. It was consequently after 8 o'clock last night before the physicians who went from this city could reach Ferney. The news of the terrible accident was quickly spread thoughout the city last night and the list of the dead and injured greatly exaggerated. Editor Dillon, of the Renovo News, was on the train going from this city to Renovo last night and stopped off at Ferney. He and a representative of the Express were the only newspaper men at the scene of the disaster.
FLYING THROUGH SPACE
Israel Boyer, the forman, was the man who applied the brakes to the wheels of the truck. He stated this morning that after the car reached the bottom of what is called "the hill" it seemed to fairly fly through space. The speed was frightful, and he thinks it was over one hundred miles an hour. His only thought was of the safety of the men who were with him, and he had but little time to think of his own danger. Engineer White also said the speed was frightful to think of, and the rate at which the truck shot down the mountain was difficult to comprehend.
This afternoon the physicians amputated Israel Boyer's foot. The remains of John Davis will be taken to Tamaqua for burial. The deceased was aged about 30 years. Eisinger, whose remains were forwarded to Beavertown today was aged 52 years. Grant Beaver, one to the men employed by Mr. Boyer, accompanied the body.
Oscar died of complications several months later, eight days after his father died. Oscar died on the day he was to be married.
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