1887 — July 21, Train Runs Into Work-Gang, Erie Railroad, near Hohokus, NJ         —     15

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 12-7-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

—  15  Dunkirk Observer-Journal (NY). “Horrible Accident,” July 22, 1887, p. 1.

—  15  Railroad Stories. “July in Railroad History,” July 1935, p. 30.

Narrative Information

Railroad Stories. “July in Railroad History,” July 1935, p. 30: “1887 – Erie express train plows through Italian laborers near Hohokus, N.J. killing 15.”

Newspaper

July 22, Dunkirk Observer-Journal, NY: “An Express Train on the Erie Railroad Dashes Into a Gang of Track-Layers, Killing Fifteen of Them – A Sickening Sight.

“New York, July 22.—A frightful railroad accident occurred yesterday morning; on the Erie railroad, between Allendale and Hohokus.  A gang of Italian laborers were at work ballasting on the railroad a little distance from a sharp curve in the road about three-fourths of a mile above Hohokus.

“The Chicago express, which was due an hour before, had not arrived, and these men were busy at work unconscious of the terrible fate which was in store for them.  At a quarter past seven o’clock train No. 13, the express which was due an hour previous, dashed around the curve before the men had the slightest warning, and struck the gang of men. killing twelve or fifteen on the spot and wounding many more.

“The shrieks of the victims were heartrending, and the track presented a sickening sight being covered with mangled bodies, the rails being spattered with blood and strewn with broken bones and pieces of ragged flesh.  Some of the bodies were mangled beyond description, and crushed out of semblance of humanity.

“To most of the victims death must have been instantaneous, but some of them seemed to be in the last throes of death when the train was brought to a stand-still.  The train waited about fifteen minutes, and then proceeded on its way.

“Mr. W. L. Hudson, a passenger on a local train, following the express, said to a United Press reporter that the scene at the place of the accident was the most sickening he ever saw. “All along the track,” said Mr. Hudson, “are strewn arms, legs, trunks and other parts of bodies, and the track for a long distance is slippery with blood.  The train, must have dashed into the midst of the men before they were aware of their danger. The conductor of the train upon which I rode said that the train hands of the express were not to blame and said the foreman of the gang should have been on the lookout, and warned the men of the approach of the train.  None of the names of the victims could be ascertained.” (Dunkirk Observer-Journal, NY. “Horrible Accident,” July 22, 1887, p. 1.)

Sources

Dunkirk Observer-Journal, NY. “Horrible Accident.” 7-22-1887, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=9582943

Railroad Stories. “July in Railroad History,” July 1935, pp. 27-31.