The New York Herald Newspaper, March 26, 1879, Page 3

* - ARNOLD. J. MIRACULOUS: ESCAPE! Collision of Two ‘Trains on the Third Avenue “L” Road. SEVEN PERSONS ‘INJURED. Gross Carelessness in the Switch Tend- ing at Forty-Second Street. TERROR-STRICKEN PASSENGERS Statements of the Engineers, Of- ficers and Others. WARNING TO THE COMPANY.. _—_— » An accident: occurred on the east side line of the New York “L” Railroad shortly after noon yesterday, which, though happily causing no loss of life, resulted in considerable damage to person and property, and bet Able danger passengers are exposed by the it arrange- ment of switches ot important pomts. Two circumstances are equally surprising— ene, the extraordinary negligence of the employés upon whom the responsibility pri- marily rests; the other, the escape of tho pas- eengers and train hands from a terrible death. ‘Phat only seven persons were injured ut all, and those. few but slightly, is little short of a miracle, and words too severe can hardly be used in condemnation of the parties by whom go many lives were exposed to almost cer- tain destruction. A misplaced switch was the cause of the catastréphe, and no reason has heen assigned for tho gross carelessness of the man entrusted with itsare, It was just below the Forty-second street and Third avenue sta- tion that a train from- Harlem collided with one from':Seuth ferry, the switch on the western track having been left open after the passage of a train for thé Grand Central Depot.’ The south bound train was just leaving one platform as the north bound train was approaching the other, so that ngither was moving rapidly when théy collided. Had they been running at a high rate of speed both would doubtless have been thrown from the track, causing immense loss of Ife; or if tho engine of the Harlem train had atrack the side instead of the end of a car, sev- eral persons would alinost inevitably have been killed. LIST OF THE INJURED. The following is a list of those who were injured by tho accident :— ‘ painter; No,'203 Third avenue; pruised and cut about the hands;’ weat home. FORD, conductor of upward bound train; slightly GALLAGHER, TERENCE, officer, of Twenty-first. " sprecinct;- hands badly lacerated by glass; was taken t Bellevue Hospital, and afterward returned to duty. » MULLIGAN, PATRICK, brakeman, of No. 128 East ‘Righty-second street; eeverely cut about tho head; ‘wounds dressed at station house; taken home. | SUTHERLAND, THOMAS, flagman; knocked down d.woupded in the head. head. HOW THE COLLISION OCCURRED. ‘The story of the collision can be briefly told. The South ferry train, drawn by engine No. 86, and the Harlem train, drawn by oigine No. 118, both left at twelve o'glock. At twenty-one minutes past twelve they reached the Forty-second. .strect station. A Grand Central Depot train had just passed into Forty- | . @econd street, and the switchMan, Davenport, had failed to close the switch. The Harlem train, which was, fortunately, barely half filled, instead of pursuing its course down the west track. was thus switched off on the crossing leading to the east track. Justet this time the South ferry train, also, fortunately, only half filled with passengers, ‘was running up the cast track, and the Harlem train shot straight at it. Theengines of the two trains collided with considerable force, although neither train was under full headway, that from South ferry having slackcned up to stop at tho station and the Harlem train having just started. Nevertheless, the collision was one of such force that, according to the statement of Mr. Ketchum, the telegraph opera- tor at Forty-second strect, the Harlem train was Gashed back about twenty feet. ‘A NARROW ESCAPE. The passengers, some of whom were violently thrown to the floor by the shock, and who, prob- ably, at the instant of the concussion thought they ‘wore lost, had a miraculous escape from all but ap- parently slight injuries. The South ferry train was such 8 position that the engine of the Harlem train struck its engine and knocked away the front platiorm of the firstear. But had tho South ferry train been thirty foot further up the engine of the Harlem train would have crashed through the wooden side of the car and undoubtedly killed many passengers. As it was, the damage was compa- vatively slight. Patrick Mulligan, a brakcinan, who stood on the front platform of the South ferry train, was knocked down and injured about the head, and Officer Gallagher, of the Twenty-second precinet, and others sustained injuries which are detailed below. ‘The smokestack of the up train engine was knocked way like astraw, and tho draw-head of the down train car next to the engine was smashed. Tho windows anf doors of several care were @hattered and the faces and hands of sov- @ral passengers cut by tho flying splinters. As the Harlem train was dashed back from tho switch upon the main track tho rear car struck the flagmap, Sutherland, who was just crossing the’ track. Fortunately, ho was thrown on tho aiding and not apon the track, in which case he would have been crashed beneath the wheels. Largo portions of the wooden guard rails on the switch were knocked Sway and fell to the stroet. mh dod PROLONGED DETENTION. Neither of the ongincs being entirely disabled tho Bariem train backed to the station and discharged Its paésengers. The South ferry train also reached the east track station and there let off ite frightened tnd injured occupants. The damagod cars end on- gines were switched off to tho middle track and an sierm was sont out to stop all trains at the nearest stations. For nearly an hour and ® half the trains entiroly ceased run- ning and the gatemen wero stationed at the stairs at every station to give informa tion of the fact. Superintendent Onderdonk, in re- sponse to the alerm, hastened to tho sccno of the collision, and proceeded to clear away the track and resume the running of trains. Dr, Freor, one of the eccident inspectors of the company, wan also sent up to Forty-second street, whence he telegraphed the following official report to the company’s offico:— Vice Provident :— ‘aga oh is Hy en ty broken alaan "Onn an tae cor ata Superintendent Onderdonk addresed tho following official telegraph report to General Manager Ricker, who, with all the superior officers and directors of the road, remained at their offices, guitar She eens jutca ‘und weft tot wine trod with engine No. 118, Kidder, en: 10 crossover switch was Vt across, colliding with ot atte No. 80, rth, bound for Hagtots. i for car wouthy Vound 3 wa’ and. tra jase broke both jared itat NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1879.— head, Some passengers wore scratched by broken clas: Unt Teould notascertain names. So far T have not hea of any persons seriously injured, Detention, one hour and twenty-tive minutes. ENGISEER CLARK'S STORY, W. P. Clark, the engineer of engine No. 86, gave the following oxplanation of his share in the ocourrence to a Hematp reporter, who met him at the company’s repairing shop, on the Bowling Green: “Lleft the Battery at noon,” said he, “and it was just about twenty miantes past twelve P. M. when I slacked up for the Forty-sécond street eta- tion. Just as I was approaching the int of the switch I saw the down train leave the ugh track and approach my trein at le speed, I instantly reversed my en- gine, but it was too late to avoid the crash, and the two engines collided just as my locomotive had passed the switch points, so that the other one struck her about the smoke box and also smashed the front platform of t! forward car. You will remem! that the ongines run backward going up town, and so the head of the engine . caught tlic force of the blow. I was seated on the right of the engine—that is, on the inner or more westerly side of the track we were running on—so that I saw the other train the moment she ranonthe switch. But the time was entirely too short to bri my train to a stop. The shock was considerable, but not enough throw my locomotive off the track. I escaped injury entirely, as the blow fell on the end of the engine furthest from my seat. I n my end of the switch betore I came up to it, and am certain that it was in no way misplaced. If the other train had not gone wrong I am certain we would have run up te the station in the usual manner. I was running on time. The cause of the accident wag in having the switch open and thereby allowing the west side train to be shunted on the turn track of the Grand Central Depot croasing, and collide with mf engine. ‘So far as we engineers are concerned we are not to biame. I know Kidder, and believe him to be @ steady, competent ‘man, and I don’t think he can be in any way in fault.” ENGINEER KIDDEN'S ACCOUNT. M, F. Kidder, the engineer of the other tocomotiv® No. 118, was also ween at his residence, corner of Third avenno and Ninety-fourth street. that he had lett Harlem at twelve o’clock and was on time at the Forty-seventh street station. “While stopping there,”’ he went on, “I noticed that the red danger fisg was dieplayed on the platform of the Forty-second street station and that «train ran in to the Grand Centrai terminus. As I neared the station the Lg cies standing on the platform signed to me that the track was clear shead. I then gave my attention to ptoppimg my train, watching the platform so that I might not run too far. Iwe@ seated on the right or westerly side of the locomo- tive, and was, therefore, on the fer side from the switch on to which I subsequently ran, When I cameto a dead stop the forwant part of my ongine was right over the extremity of the — and concealed it from me, so that when I 1 had no meaus of foreseeing that I was about to run off the through track. I was hardly under way, however, when I reslized the situation and instantly shut off steam and tried to stop. My train had almost come .to a pause when it struck the other. It would not have run ten feet further. In starting I puton the usual presenro of steam and my train had just got a moderate im- tus. The whole distance that I ran before the col- jision was vnder tl feot.. I have been nino years’ working ds locomotive engincer and never had an aceident before. Bhave been seven months in the employment of this pany.” ‘WHAT THY: BWITCHMAN BAYS. Many ebsurd rumors were atloat during the day concerning the whereabouts of Joseph J. Davenport, the man who was in charge of the switches when the uccident occurred. It was asserted by some that he had left the gity soon after the affair, and by others that he was.in the city, but could not. befound. Nong of the employés of the road seemed able to tell of his whereabouts, Mr. Davenport lives at No, 203 West meg street, and gave a reporter last night tho Mowing account of his connection hed the bers be Ho is a begs regularly employed at’ the City | Hal branch, where he is ‘stationed throughout the day except at noon, when he relieves the switch- man on the northbound single switch at Forty- second street and Third avenue, Yesterday, as had been his custom, he remaiued at thie switch while the man ‘he relieved was at his din- ner. His dinner finished, the man in turn relieved Davenport. But the. company hap- short, and yesterday to be a man so Davenvort relieved another switchman who at- tends to the doubleswiteh northwest of the single one while he was eating his meal. Thé single switch on north bound track turns train on to the south bound track, while the double switch guides the train from the south bound 10 Forty-second street track. Davenport had been there about half an hour when the despatcher at the Forty-second him pa lo and Third wo an ap- to come avenue station signalled receivi switches Daven} switch house, w! to pi to his Ho turned t to the . that the north switch was wrong. The handle was notin either notch, but was half way betweon them. Davenport 8] ig forward to fix the switch. In the meanwhile, the despatcher, who stood at the station whero the down coming train was standing, had seen him go to the switches and then leave them. He = as he halt the owitch he found the Nein pos ‘im, not in front of it. He the train. In to dl ‘terward Davenport the engineer told’ him that he heard his shout end reversed the’engine. The distance to the end of the a switch was about three car lengths. The 1s of the engine’ throw the rails wide open, and the train ran across the crosscut on to the north bound track, where the north bound train was making its ular time. A _ collision was of course inevitable. Davenport said that could not explain the cause of the acci- dent. The handle of the switch, ho says, fits ftemly into the notches, but on this occasion must have leaped from its resting place back to the centre of the curve. DAVENPOBT’S CAREER. The switchman is twenty-cight years of age and wnmerried. His appearance msnners are those of an intelligent snd reliable man. Provious to bis connection with the “L" road he served seven years on a Western railroad, He was an om- ployé of the Toledo, Peoria and Warsaw, the eae wed Bloomington and Western and the Hennibal and St. Joseph railroads. From these ies he has testimonials of good character and iteadiness. He came to this city about three. Fn and was omployed asa clerk. He went on the “ZL” road nine months agoas a watchman. Early om the morning of December 31, 1873, ‘when the Franklin saugee ch was while attending to the first train out from the pocket, ho fell to the sidewatk below, Ho first strack the ground on his fect and then on his hip and side. Ho sustained # severe contusion of the hip and was taken to the Chambers Strect Hospital. The next day he was to have been appointed Frere ‘but tho omg laid him w Bi tee} . rocovel was to wt long nm in foe owing ee injures, and could not tinue at the brayas. ewas, then given tho less arduous, although more responsible position of switchmen. During his servico on t road Pe etsbitpaiionentartee tour 2 ir 1 arya of ‘h) es, ‘du toon bho had seen that no o! injured, he pro- ceeded at once to the Central Office and reported there, He then resumed work, and, when relieved at the regular hour, went home, THE BRAKEMAN AND OFFICER. Patrick Mulligan, the brakeman, and Officer Ter- ence Gallaghor, of tho Twenty-first precinct, the on ey Bid an ugly ent on tho head and the latter with bands badly lacerated, wero taken to the Fast Thirty-fifth street station howe. Word of thedisaster hed in tho meantime carried to the police station, and before thetr arrival a surgeon had been hastily summoned in waiting. Bai end #1 insten- its lay ready in the station house for ihstant use #f required, but no ambulances had beon tole- for. The brakoman was the first to atrivo. le prowented's sickoning sight, his clothing being an ited with blood. A few minutes saturate ‘wounded policeman put in an ay * Dut aa the physicist wan ongered! at the fimo dross ing Muiligan’s wounas he was traneferred to Hellevno Hospital. The examination made of tho wound on the@rakemen’s head ved that it was ‘but od Officer Gallagher's injuries wero sevore, pag he wg femaining in the flesh. Mul- ligan, after “1 it his head bandaged, left tho station house for home, eae i od oy his friends. Tho policeman remained in the hospital lew then an howr, ana returning to tho sta tion — house, oe, for eduty and was de- tailed to tho irty-fourth street ferry house. He was found thero an hour later by the Hena: roporter, to whom he told the story of the accident. He said:—"1 boarded an train at Thirty- fourth strect at about a q’ past twelve o'clock, 1 at on the rear of the rear’ car with the: brekeman. near second stroot the train wae siacked up. eo next 1 can recollect was a terrible shock and a breaking of glees. Tho inside the cars began to and the eacllement. was soream tremendous, For a time I was dazed, but, recover- ing, found that I waa ont and bleeding from injuries caused by the breaking of the window. The brake- man was aleo injured in the same way, None of the passe! had been cut, but some of them were suffering from the shock.” CUT BY THR BROKEN OLAss, Patrick Mulligan, the brakeman, eaid:—"Tho first I knew of the accident was almost simultaneous), with tho crash, Iwas standing on the platfornt witi Police Officer Gallagher. The force of the collision it threw ua tho oar, The broken glass flow in all directions, and a piece struck me on the fore- head and inflicted a cut, which bled profusely, as you ay seo from this soar. The passengers wore thrown 49 all diroctiony, several of them were injured iy Ap fall and all ware grlghlened oUt of thelr wits TRIPL COLLISION AT .FORTY-SECOND STREET “L” . JUNCTION. Diagram Showing the Up and Down Main Tracks, the Branch Curves and the Trains in Collision. “LS ONOD3S-ALYOS THIRD AVENUE EAST TRACK UP TRAIN BSNOHK HLIMS As willbe seen by the accompanying diagram, a train from down town, bound for the Grand Central Depot, had been switched from the up or. east. track across to and off the down or west track and around fhe curve along Forty-second street to the Grand Central Depot, in the direction indicated by the arrow C. The switch adjusted on the west side for this op- eration was left in position, and the connection be- tween the cross track and that leading down Forty-second strect via the west treck, left intact, instead of being broken, to allow of the free passage of down troins on tho main I saw several people cut and bruised, but none of them seriously.” ° is MRS, WILLIAM HENRY PECK’S STATEMENT. Mrs. Peck, wife of Professor William Henry Peck, of Atlanta, Ga., was among the injured. ng!ers. She was fgnud at the house of a friend, Mrs. Decker, No, 66: 128th street. Her injuries, which are not se- vere, had deen dressed, and she wag attended by Nirs. Docker’ and a few other lady friends, who had learned of her accident and called to ascertain her condition. Mrs. Peck was seated on a sofa.in.the parlor with her right arm in abandage. The shock to her ner- ‘vous system was still apparent in her flushed faco and exeited manner. She said:—‘I came to this city afew weeks ago from my home in Atlanta, Ga., on private business. I wrote to my husband yesterday advising him to make this city out manent resi- dence, as the elevated railroad; such a con- venience that we .could. live in’ house which we own in East 128th stoae il. transact busi- ness down town. Now, hi - Lhave changed my mind, I willnever trust my life again in one of those cats. I will write to my husband at once and request him to remain where he is, I will join him there as soon as possible. I. went down town in forencen to .do some shopping. After. getting through with my purchases proceeded to the Grand street station to take Tap tehe carted say'peckagen, "as wo Pesabod ue boy, who my ‘ages. As we reache ty platform a train was in waiting, and I was about stepping inside when the boy, who was behind me, dropped one of the . ‘In the delay to pick it up the cars ahead, and to wait for the train. There wert bnt ftve or six passengers in the car with me. Iwas seated about the. centre ot the rear car on the west side. As we were nearin; the Forty-second street station the crash came, ‘Third svenye, was injured” and received slight contusions. He ia and had «grown to manliood si: Inst. _ He assisted mo from the cars to the and thence’to the street, when we took acar and rodehere. My shonider is still very painful, aud I cannot move my arm. My side seems as if it were numb. I suppose it will be several days before I can leave the house. “It iss miracle,” continued Mrs. Peck, “how wo pe : co I ek a that several people must have been . saw & man who ldoked like a brakeman covered with blood and apparently ineensible. I was told that ho was dead. lL was ‘htened almost to death myself. ‘Tho noise was deaféning when the cars collided, and the force of the shock was so sudden that it seemed to take away my senses-in a second. I will never truet_my life on those terrible cars again; there isno security to be found on them. If the company is not made to pay dearly for risking the lives of so. many people there is poor lew in the land.” Mrs. Peck expressed her determination to put her case in tho hands of a lawyer and sue the company for damages. ALMOST RUN OVER. A Fi Sutherland was standing at the west side station. At the moment of the coilision he was on the platform, and as soon as the engines had struck he jumped to the track at the rear of the last car, in- tending to cross between the tracks, to render as- sintance to the passengers, ‘The rebound of the cars was so sudden that he was struck by a buffer and knocked down almost under the wheels. He was injured about the head and léft for home. WHAT THE STATION MASTER SAID. Station Master John Creighton hes charge jof the ‘west sido station. Ho said:—“I was ell: ets felt the lace shake under my feet. I thoug! Rteacture had fallen into thestrect. [immediately ran to the front of the platform and saw the two engines: together, and partially raised at the point of Shere was great excitement among the pas- I saw no one injared; but concluded from contact. sengers. the commotion and the nature of the accident that a | umber of te must have been killed. The pas- sengers got out and their money was returned. { at pod telegraphed the accident to Superintendent jofft.”” AN INTERVIEW WITH THE SUPERE ‘A reporter called on Superintendent Onder. donk to obtain his views in regard to the canees of the collision. He sail that he fe the causes of the — collision -arod might not. be fully understood. and any misrepre- sentation in regard to it would only give rise to growndicss alarm. He then pencilled a diagram on a |, shect of paper aud pointed out the different stations, c ed ‘itch-housog. SEE a eee ae nae that. train com! lown town from Harlem was staging at the Forty-second atreet station, taking on and letting off passengers. The engineer saw or should have seen—and hero comes the question of responsi- Diliee— that the switch was not set for his , for it was ouly fifteen feet in front of nif, and thereforo aliould not heave to move on to the curve to the uptown track. ho discovered his mistake his train could not have becn moving at a great rate of speed for he was only start- ing off. The uptown train was on the regular track and was slowing up for the station whén its locomo- tive was atruck.”* z Kerontke—But what about the switchman who left the switch set for the wroug train while tho down train was #0 close upon him? SurentmTexpENt—He is, of course, seriously to Dlame, and there is no palliating circumstance that we can Keo. Rerouren—It was stated by some of the excited that » Grand Central train was the cause of the trouble? SupEmuxranpent—There was nothing of the kind. No train was going to tho curve in either direction on the Grand. Contral branch. Reronren—Then the switchmen could have no excuse to offer for leaving the switch open to the took charge ot the statiqn road, and while superintending the cleartug of tho tracks, held tho red signal flag himeelf till the road ‘was reopened to traffic. The two damaged locomo- tives were taken to the shops in Greenwich street near Morris street, and machinists wero set to work on them immediately. A TALK WITH PRESIDENT FIELD. Mr. Oyrus W. Field, president of the road, was in- terviewed at his residence iu the afternoon, and spoke ara, of the accident and the precautions nocessary for the protection fI san cod in the future. Ho had heard of the colliston shortly after it occurred, at his office, and the news hed caused considerable exeitoment there among the oficers of the company. “To what cause do you attribate tho accident at Forty-second atreet?"’ the reporter asked, “Solely to thé negligon@® of the switchinan,” was Mr. Field's reply. Reroxter—And what action will the company take in the matter? Mr, Freip—So far as punishing the guilty party is concerned, action has hiready been taken, I ordéred his immediate digmnissal. Revorrta—Will any particular effort be made to prevent a similar acet it in the future? Mr. Firep—The only thing necessary is to do away with the switchos now in use. Thoro should be nd cross hatever on tho road. So long as one re- iain the travelling public will have to depend upon the reliability of a switchny as no man ~) oe thore ba i bo more or less collisions. very passen should bo ablo. to tke. e train with absolute, company will mako use of the New York company’s ‘roads below Chatham square. yea line. While an up train, as shown in the diagram, ‘was proceeding along the east track in the direction indicated by the arrow A, a down train was passing on the west track in the direction indicated by the arrow B. Instead of following its proper course, which was impossible on account of the misplaced switch at the junction of the cross and west tracks, it went over tho routo lately followed by the train to the Grand Central Depot, and at the junction of the connecting track with thit on the east side came into collision with thorup train, as shown in the diagram. . confidence that ho-will leave it safe and sound, And that would be the case if it were not for the cross- ings now in use. Otherwise an elevated road is the safest jn the world. Before long trains will follow each other regularly at an interval of one minute from Harlem to South ferry and from South ferry to Harlem; yet if thero were no switches to cross there would be feally not the ee ae of collision, Reporrer—Then why. you continue to have switches at Forty-second street and Chatham square ? . ‘Mr. Execp—I have opposed their use from the first; bat.I am only one director in a Board of thirteen. Personally I have all along insisted that mgers to the Grand Central Depot should’ leave the Harlem and South Ferry trains at Forty-second street and be traus- ferred to Fourth avenue on special trains. The same arrangement should be made at Thirty-fourth strect for persons going to the Thirty-fourth street ferry, and at Chatham square for-passengers to the City Hall. Tu fuct, the Board has decided to put inde- pendent traing in operation at the uptown branches, and itonly remains to take the same precaution at Chatham square. There will be a mecting of the Board of Directors on Wednesday vf next week, when the question will come up and i think be satisfactorily settled. In view of to-day’s collision such a step is necessary to restore public confidence in the road. AsI said to another director to-day, an accident saat serious injury or loss of life to passengers would damage rapid transit in New York tothe extentof half a million dollars, We can’t afford to compromise the reputation of the road by neglect in so important a matter. THE CHATHAM SQUARE CROSSING, If thero is so much danger at a single crossing such as that at Third avenue and: Forty-second street, where "s accident occurred, it will readily be seen that when the cast side Metropolitan “‘L” be- ‘ins to run, Chatham square will become a doubly rous spot. Now there is but one crossing, where the City Hall branch leaves the main road; but soon there will be two, the second being at the junction of Division street and th Bowery, whero the New York and Metropolitan roads will unite. On Sunday, March 2, a was pub- lished in the HrnaLp showing how the possibility of 1s E SHEET. BRUTAL MURDER AVENGED. Patrick Smith and Julius Christian Hanged in Virginia ‘CALLOUSNESS OF THE CULPRITS. Speedy Retribution Follows the Killing . of J. C. Lacy. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) New Keyr Covat Hovse, Va., March 25, 1879. The brutel butchery of John C. Lacy on the 17th of January last was avenged here to-day by. the execution of his murderers, Patrick Smith and Julins Christian. No tragedy ever be- fore created such terrible indignation in New ent county. The prisoners” nave been in the jail of Henrico county, as there is none here, but were brought from Richmond this morn- ing. Leaving that city by the cars at six o'clock, they ywere met at Summit Station, on the York River and | Chesapeake Railroad, where they were placed in a wagon and surrounded by an armed guard of twenty mon. On the way the prisoners chatted and very freely discussed the crime for which they wore on their way to pay the penalty, frequently laughing when they explained the dexterity with which they caught Lacy, gashed his throat and finally despatched him, They seemed to gloat over the last-appeal he made for mercy, and Smith was boisterously merry in describing the death struggle of the victim. UTTERLY UNKEPENTENT. It was difficult to understand whethor they were the most hardened 2nd abandoned criminals or merely ignorant brutes. They smokod cigars with an evident relixh, and begged for ten cent pieges of silver, which they said they wieheg “to keep.” One of those who accompanied thom remarkod that he felt sore from riding, to which Julius Caristian re- sponded “I'll be sorer than dat to-morrow by dis time,” ahd he laughed heartily at the horrible sally. From early in the morning crowds were thronging into the village on horseback, foot end in every cox- ceivable sort of vehicle, The town by ten o’clqck was filled’ with people of all classes, “colors and, conditions, and the rumsellers did an excellent business. Negroes as well as. whites wore their best, and all of them impressed the observer with the idea that they were intent on enjoying the day and making the most of the occa- sion, Not ® eoul seemed to regard the coming tragedy in the light of a'terrible example of ven- geance meted out by the laws of both God and man tor murder. MAKING A FETE DAY. In keeping with the merriment, which seemed geueral, an enterprising manager had a good sized marquee erected in view of the scaffold, in which ne gave # combination exhibition of burnt cork opera, a punch and judy show, an educated hog, several performing monkeys’ and a limited menagerie of other small animals. This was liberally patronized during the entireday. The performances commenced at nine A. M., so that the many colored populece were amply aupplied with light comedyeon the one hand and horrible tragedy on tho other. ‘The scaffold was erected on the brow of a hill, with @ thin growth of pine trees, to the east of the town and about one thousand yards outside its limits, It was decent in appearance, but not it in con- struction. The fall allowed wae onl little over four feet, and it seemed if it was intended to strangle its victims. Their feet would necessarily come into proximity with the earth. ARKIVAL OF THE CONDEMNED. Alitile before eleven o'clock A. M. the with the criminals and its escort of mounted men, which had been augmented to. about ong hundred, eutered the village, aud a rush was made for it. The rum mills, oyster carts, booths, lunch stands and com- bination show were promptly deserted for the more important spectacle of the, doomed men. As quickly as possible they were taken from the yn and conducted into the Court House, around ‘the door of which the mob were struggling, to effect courtesy of.,Commonwealth At- en entrance. torney Lacy #1 ® collision at, that point might be avoided by bas Judge Chr ithe Hunatp cow tire tidn of the tracks, the City Ub ed admittance found the crimi- branch connecting with the main lime in thd the hundred question propounded to and the South ferry brench with murder. No time was lost, however, that yigion street. A common. station at ‘wore soon shrouded in two long fe a the ‘corner of: the Bowery and Division | withfrilled and escaloped collars after the Blize- street Would allow ingers to charge cars for'| bethan style. olther terminus. When tne Metrop>litan road in Division strect and Second avenue is completed, that The suggestion the Hrraup was that the New York “L” should use the City Hall branch, and the Metropolitan “L’’ the South ferry branch, pooling their receipts for passengers goin, below the Chi square station. This propoee: Fes mee of the tracks would remove the possi- bility of accident at that critical point, and remove the any, really dangerous feature of the cast side road, ut President Field, when his attention was called to the plan, exclaimed:—What, would you have us give up the most profitable branch of our line? That would hardly be satisfac- tory. A much better way, 1 am convinced, would be to have the Metropolitan road ran from Sonth ferry along South street to Catherine and up Catherme to Division near its junction with Chatham square, That would giv® the Metropolitan Company the first chance at the 600,000 Brooklynites landing at the Catherine street, Peck stip, Fulton street and Wall street ferries and an equal chance with us at the South ferry terminus. I have suggested it to some of their directors, but, of course, they couldn't com- init themselves before the matter was considered at a meéting of the Board. They have a legal right to the use of Chatham street New Bowery, but I think it:possible to come to s sensible agreement with tiem on the merits of the case."’ This plan, it will be remembered, was suggested iz the Hxnatp some time ago. AN APPEAL IN A GOOD CAUSE. The Prisoners’ Aid Society ix an association estab- lished in this city last May. Its objects are to pro- | vide for the innocent families of convicts who aro left witnout means of support, to protect and find employment for discharged. prisouers who aro will- ing to carn an honest living in the future, to en- deavor to secure such legislation as may be found necessary for the improvement of prison discipline and to place libraries and, where practicable, in- structors in the prisons of the State. These are ad- mirable objects, but tne society finds {ts work crippled for the want of funds apd makes an earnest appe&l to the charitablo for as- sistance, As the society is regularly organized under the laws of the State it issues certificates of membership, which entitle the holders to vote ever: year in the oléction of directors’ Sd other officers, and thus to exervise a control over the management ot thé society ahd thé care and expenditure of its funds. An annual contribution of $5 constitutes the donor a yearly member, and of $50 @ life member, ‘The work of thasodisty is calculated to protect #0- ctety and to save expense to the taxpayers by lesson- rism and crime. When we retec! the c. afamily of chititen in actual starvation, and t s persou once tempted, perhaps by hunger, to commit a first offence against the law too often finds the face of mankind turned agaigst him on his release from privon, and is thus driven t wcriminal career, wo can appreciate the value and Christian character of the task the Prisoners’ Aid Society has undertaken. The merchants. of ‘New York are now solicited for five-dollar subscriptions to atd this benevolont cn- terprise, and it is to be hoped they will make « hearty response. HAPPILY ENDED. It looks now as though the Vanderbilt litigations had finally reached a termination in the courts. In the se-called conspiracy suit for $7,000,000 brought by Cornelius J. Vanderbilt against Williain H. Van- derbilt, Chatnecy M. Depew and others, an order of discontinuance was granted yestetday by. Judgo Lawrence, of the Supreme Court, on consent of coun- sel on both sides, the plaintiff being represented by Mr. Ethan Allen and the deferdants by Messrs. Au- derson and Young. It is stipalated in the order that - discontinuance would be without costs to either side. A similar order to the above was also granted yes- terday by Judge Lawrence in the $1,000,000 suit Drought by Cornelius J. Vanderbilt against William H. Vanderbilt. Iu this proceeding the plaintiff was represented by Ethan Allon and. the defendant by Henry L. Clinton, both giving their consent to the order. A like stipulation as to costs was embodied in this order, * THE MERRITT WILL CASE. The counsel of William J. Merritt or Wileon have decided to appeal to the General Term of the Supreme Court for a new trial, at which he hopes to establish his claim to the real and personal estate of the late Johu A. Merritt, the millionnaire cattle specniator of Port Chester, by proving his legitimacy as the son ot the integtate, “ALWAYS WITH YOU." ‘The Henan has received the follawing contribu- tions for the relief of Mrs. Hurving, of No. 28 Lewis made’ in stroet:—From “A Lady,” $6; “Bossio and Willie,” $1; ow. H. T., ‘Mrs. J.J.C.,"" $1-—total, $9. Also from “Thanktul’’ 60 cents for the gonoral fund, . FAREWELLS. They had written letters of farewell, one to his poor mother and the other tol’ sister, and they exonerated os far as,it wae im’ ‘their power old- -Andrew Whitney from. any complicity in..the murder. Ono" more they were con- ducted to and seated tin the wagon, this. time in two Diack coffins, aud agaip-the procession formed and took its final march to the gallows. Following -the wagon was the Judge, Cotimonwealth Attorney and other officials and privileged persons. At this time the morbidly curious crowd ¢ flocked fran- tically across the ploughed ground to the scaffold. in the vicinity of which large numbers found eligible positions in the tree topa: Observing this Patrick Smith exclaimed aa they neared the scene, “De good Lord, look at the folks like buzzards in the treos.”” There was nothing solenin or impressive in the proceedings. ON THE DROP. Arrived at the scaffold the condemned men ascended the steps leading to the drop with a firm and steady tread. They then made addresses, in which, as usual, they both claimed to have made their. peace with their Maker. Christian, who was on the right, secmed to become fervent and eloquent. They reiterated state- ments previously made by them about the murder substantially as given below. Pat Smith made an elaborate statement about the tragedy, giving in detail the part taken by both of them, and during which parties in thecrowd uttered impreca- tions on them. Whea they were concluded the Sheriff read the death warrant, aud at ten minutes to twelve o'clock A. M. they were pinioned and the black caps drawn. over their faces. At twelve M. ata signal the prop supporting the drop was drawn out and the two murderers fell. The rope that held Christian slipped and his feet nearly touched the cart. The nooses being loosely adjusted the knots swung around to the backs of their necks. Smith's fall was @ little over three feet. He barely quivered, but Christian struggled seerulsivals for several moments. Smith's neck is said to have ay broken. Christian died of strangulation. After re- maining suspended for twenty minutes lite was ronounced extinct and the lies were cut down. ‘hey were placed in the coffins and buried in a hole dug for We pore in front and to the left of the scaffold, The crowd then hurried back to resume tho amusements in the village. MISTORY OF THE CRIME. Soon after daylight on the morning of Saturday, January 18 last, the body of John C. Lacy, of this county, was found on the road leading from Cedar Grove to Longbridges, and within one ands half miles of his own home. Cedar Grove is about twenty miles from Richmond on the forge road, and Lacy's residence was two milos below ¢ it Grove. He had driven to the city the day previous in a mule cart to db of some hogs, and was evidently nbaqoee and robbed on his return home. digcovere:| the body presented a ghastly appearance, and the surroundings indicated that a terrible struggle had taken place. The head was neurly sever 7m the trunk; a large portion of the throat seemed to have eon actually torn out. Several gashes and cuts were found on tho skull, and about the arms and breast, ‘The features were distortod, clotted gith blood, and mutilated, and the chest, arms and «is were cov- cred with gore. The bushes in the yicimity were be- spattered with blood. The mule had either wan- dered home with the cart or beou driven there by murderers, for they were found in the enclosure of Lacy’s premises, the animal being nnhitehed. VIEWING THE BoD Though the country thervabouts is but thinly in- habited, a largo crowd assembled by noon near the seone of the tragety. The grestest excitoment prevailed,.and this. was greatly aggravated by tho piteous wi ot Lacy rief-stricken wife and six children, and threats of lynching the murderers when di were itttered. An inquest was opened, but at first ‘no cine to the perpetrators was found, On the next day, however, by some unaccom: '- able agency suspicion foll wpon an old negro of bud character named Andrew Whiting, is @nally led to the arrest of the actual mw Whiting’s premises were searched and several articles of blood stained clothing were found hidden under a bed, which were-afterward identified as belonging to two young negroes named Put Smith and Jullus Chria- tian. Living with old Whiting was Cluibom® Smith, & younger brother of Pat Smith, who, as soon na the clothing was found, surrendered himself and made a confession which led to the arrest of the others named, including the old man Whiting, Smith and Christian were arrested by four brothers named Wallace, who, armed with shotguns, surprised them at the residence of Christian's brother-in-law, near Tarleysville, and delivered them over to the an- thorities. In their possession was found the of Mr, Lacy, $4 in money, a quantity of ceries, some calico and mat nf all of which they hed taken from him on the night Sf the murder, A preliminary ex. lamination was had betore # bench of magistrates, which Claiborn disclosed a fiendish and well cocted plot on the part of his brother and C! an. They were all committed for trial, and the exctte- ment quickly subsided, ORIGIN OF THR CRIME, It the negroes are now to be belfoved—and cir- cumstances strongly support their statements— some wy extraordinary relations existed between them and Lac The latter wi the South as white man,” whose reputation for honesty and fair dealing was not the very best. He had a amall farm, on which he ont loyed Smith and Christian. They allowed that what is known in which be and they tured in the swamps aud woods from time to time, without, regard ownership. ‘These hi and cleaned und takeu to market by and sold, the proceed being divided between the negroes and. .. Ta use the expression of one of them, “Lacey did tote fair about the hogs,” and this a4 feelings” between them. He would pot the money claimed by then for wages and shares of the proceeds of the Smith said Lacy owed him $50, and Christian demanded $10 as ¢] amount due him, L was profuse im his promises to pay, but neyer could be gotten to hund them the money. Further than this, the negroes had robbed a store in the borhood, they said, and had given Lacy's family some of the stolen goods, and when they became relentless im their demands ior money he threatened them with arrest for the burglary. It was the fear of the exeeu- tion ef this latter tin coupled with the belief tliat he would never pay them the money he owed, that led to the determination on their 't to com- mit the terrible deed on the evening of January 17, I that on the Sunday evening preceding th it appears that on the Sunday evenin; e Ith of January Pat Smith, Julins Christian, and Clai- born Smith had a conference, during which the sit- uation was distussed and the murder planned, presided, and stated that a certain party must be put ont of the way. No name was called, but they were all well aware who was meant, and though no words were spoken, Pat's proposition was assented to. was known to them that Lacy would go to Richmond on the following Friday to dispose of soine hogs; that he would return im the evening, and would be an easy victim, as he was usually more or less under the influence of liquor onghexe occasions. The place was well selected, It was Where the road ran through a swamp which was thickly wooded, and not far os - ‘eee Church, y event tonsibiy huntin; z It wax about tive o'clock, and 'y setting in when they heard the rumble of bis cart as he approached them, They allowed him to pass and then stealthily followed the cart for half a mile until it was quite dark, At this juncture the heart of Claiborn failed aud he lingered behind. The others culled to him to come on. He replied, “All right,” aud pretended to be tying his shoe. He then ran home, Pat aud Julius overtook the cart, andthe - former, running under it from behind, seized 4 by his legs, which were hanging down in front. The mule stopped. Lacy then seized a hatchet which, he had ‘in’ the cart, but not before - Julians Christian had mado a severe gash in his throat. with aknife. Ahand to hand contest followed be- tween Christian and Lacy, during which the latter ' dropped his hatchet, and both rotied and tumbled» ; cous dorablo Sistence from tbe out, He , sue ceeded in getting in a sitting posture, Christian again gashed his throat with the . He then sprang to his feet, and exclaiming, “Dx hurt ine! Anything I've yot in the you cap lave,” tried to eseape by running. Thi peal was unheeded. Smith ran back and pistes up the hatchet, chased Lacy, and, catching him by the arm, with the hatchet struck ‘him » terrific blow on the side of the head, felling him tothe ground, Chris- tion again sprang upon him and sana plunged the knife into his throat, tearing it across his windpipe. When he had done thix, Smith, with butcher like brutality, chopped the hatchet ‘into Lacy’y throat, where it became. so firmly fixed that it required a cone siderable wrench to extricate it. - PLUNDER. ‘The murderers then searched his body and found $4 in money. ‘They took the groceries and. calico aud the few other articles which Lacy had purchased for his family, and then left the scene for their home, whither Claiborn had preceded them. This was’ old Whiting’s house, and tere they hid their blood stained clothes, but in order to avoid suspicion they wont that same night to the house of Christian's brother-in-law, where they were arrested. ‘Tho trial commenced at New Kent Court House oh Thursday, the 14th of February, and lasted until the 16th, when Pat Smith and Julius Christian were sent to be hanged, and Claiborn Smith was sent to the Penitontiary for eighteen years. The old, negro, Andrew Whiting, and stillganother, alleged to be implicated in the murder, yet remain to be tried. THER MURDERER. Pat Smith was an inferior type of the genuine ne gro, twenty-two years of age. Ho stood about five feet eight inches high, was black, had coarre features, thick lips, flat nose, slanting forehead, was muscular and weighed 169 pounds. Julius Christian was a dark mulatto, twenty-one years old, five fect six inches high, of stout build and exhibiting great strength. He was more intelli- gent than Smith, THE MURDERED MAN. John C. Lacy was about forty years of age, me- dium sized, with long black hair and dark eyes, and looked very much like an Indian. He was of re- spectable parentage, but as he grew up displayed thaite of charactor that almost alienated bim from his family and friends. OBITUARY. REV. JOHN RUTH. ‘The Rev. John Rath, Chaplain to the Penitentiary for tife Eastern District of Pennsylvenis and member of the Philadelphia Annual Conference of the Meth- ‘odist Episcopal Church, died at his residence io Phitadelphia. during Monday night. in the sixty- sovepth year of bivage. Mr. Ruth entered the min- istry in 1837, and had been stationed in various parts of Pennsylvania and Delaware, but for eighteen renee, past he hnd- been chaplain at the Cherry Hill Prison, where he performed the duties of his position with snecess. A man of rare tact, of wise and judicious patience, a most amiable and lovable disposition, he inspired reverence in all with “whom he came in contact, His influence over the thousands of prisoners with whom he was in daily association during his many years of service was wonderful; the most icned and abandoned were softened under his gentle sway. To the influence of Mr. Ruth is owing the reformation of many a poor wretch who would otherwise have sunk deeper aud deeper in crime. The official reports of the trustees of ee en have always spoken in the highest praise of Mr. Ruth, but the work he did in a quiet and unostentatious way is far beyond the power of reports and statistics to present. y MRS. MARY ATWOOD ROWELL. Mrs, Mary.A. Rowell, mother of the well knows philanthropist, Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson,, died at Nunda, N. Y., a few days ago, in her ninety-fifth year, She was born at Roxbury, Mase., October 11, 1784; ‘was married before the close of the last century, and spent most of her long life in Northern Vermont, but for several years made her home with two of her children ®at Nunda, Her last moments were cheered by the presence of several of her descendants. Mrs. Rowell was a lady of re- markable beauty, which she, retained to extreme old. ago, and she was endowed with more than ordinary wit, cheerfulness aud practical } it. Her lite was ong of labor and beneticence, largely occupied with tH®ughtful efforts for the welfare of others, being skilled in all household arts, sud especially in domestic medicine, which knowledge was always at the service of her friends and of all who stood in need of such cares, Her death will be greatly felt by the community where she reside. JOHN DODSON. John Dodson, one of the largest Isndowners in tho southwestern section of Virginia, and the first Mayor of Petersburg elected under the constitution of 1850, died yesterday morning of crysipelas aged fifty-eight. Mr. Dodson was one of the most active promoters in the State of the cause of immigration trom the North, and was candidate for the tare in 1875 to represent tl interest, but t! wae given to 8 nogro, naa Ruffin, who was aftep. ward expelled for bribery. Mr. Dodson had many public trusts and was highly respected. His dcath 18 regarded as a great public toss, . HOWARD MALCOLM. Howard Malcolm, D.D.,LL.D, aged eighty-one, died at his residence at Philadctphia yesterday. He was president of the Hahnemann Medical College, of Philadelphia; honorary president of the American Baptist Historical Society, honoraty Fongenen hod a] American Peace Socicty and senior vico president of the Pennsylvania Bible Society, MR. DUBS, OF SWITZERLAND. ‘The Department of State at Washington has re ceived intelligence through the United States Lega-* tion of the death of Mr. Dubs, ex-President of Switzerland, an eminent jurist and writer on muni- cipal and international law. MR. HEER, OF SWITZERLAND, ‘The latest mail advices announce the death of Mr. Heor, ex-President of Switzerland, and for twenty a member of the National Cotineil. He was an eminent stetesman, whose loss will be widely deplored. JOHN 8MITH. John Smith, ox-momber of the Provincial Parlia ment for Kent, died at Chatham, Ont., yesterday, HELD FOR ARSON, Before Justice Kirby, at Roslyn, L. 1., yesterday, William Devine was examined on 4 charge of arson. He ts a brother of the man now undergoing imprison- mént for the murier of Wurt Nostrand some years ago. Mr. Abel Thomas testified thet on Sunday night, a week ago, his barn and twenty-five tons of hay were burned. He suspected Devine because he hat accused him some time ago of stealing bee vives, snd Devine then threatened to be revenged by burning him ont. Several persons for whom Devine hed worked testified that he waa a aa man, Several witnesses testified to having seen, Devine in Wheatley on the night of the fire, al he resided six miles away. Me borrowed matches at Mr. Laston's house, Devine admitted being near the premises, but not on them. When he learned that the constables were looking for him he dyed his red whiskers black and left home to avoid ceatig on was held for the Grand Jury, Mrs. Devine it the Justice and then Mr. Thomas, and went on her, y carrivd ov ® very questionable traffic in hogs, | knees and inyoked tho cutse of God upon them, "