This Day in History: September 22nd, 1913

This Day in History: September 22nd, 1913

BOB-TAIL CAR SPLINTERED IN COLLISION
Public Service Fast Line Car Wrecks One at Oak Hill—
Motormen Jumped from Cars to Save Their Lives—No Serious Injuries.

Through what apparently seems to be a misunderstanding between the crews of two cars following each other into this city yesterday morning at about 6:45 o’clock, the last one a bob-tail, in charge of Mr. Herbold of New Brunswick, collided head-on with one of the Public Service Fast Line cars, in charge of Motorman Amiel Kaiser, of Milltown, and conductor William Rosseau of New Brunswick, at the foot of Oak Hill, just outside of the Borough limits of Milltown, resulting in severe damages to both of the cars. In fact, the smaller car is now only fit for scrap, while the latter will be sent to Newark for repairs. There were no serious personal injuries.

The fast line car, with six or seven passengers aboard, had just left O’Rourke’s switch, bound for Milltown, and it was at the foot of the steep incline at the foot of Oak Hill that it met the city car, on which there was a motorman and a conductor in addition to the motorman running the car.

Both motormen, evidently realizing the danger ahead, jumped, Kaiser of the fast line jumping on the stone road to safety and Herbold, of the bob-tail, jumping into the ditch, both escaping with a severe shaking up, while the motorman and conductor that were penned inside of the car hardly knew what to do when they realized the danger ahead and fortunately escaped without injury. The passengers, (all men) on the fast line were uninjured as the weight of this car was so much greater than the completely wrecked one.

The crew in charge of the car that passed the fast line at O’Rourke’s switch and whom the motorman of the bob-tail claims he notified he would follow, (although the former contradicts), did not notify the crew of the fast line car, thus causing a head-on collision in broad daylight. Mr. Arnold of New Brunswick, and Mr. Law, of Deans, were in charge of the Codwise Avenue car that passed the fast line at O’Rourke’s switch. When one of the crew was regarding the accident, he stated that it was contrary to the company’s rules to make any statement. He did, however, say that the rails were very slippery owing to the damp weather.

In about forty minutes from the time of the accident, the wrecking crew delivered the wrecked cars to the barns at Milltown. The Public Service officials immediately started an investigation of the case.


This Day in History: October 5th, 1905

This Day in History: October 5th, 1905

MILLTOWN, Oct. 8-It appears from good sources that the freight line which has been planned out to run beside the Trenton trolley to Milltown and so on to Elizabeth and Jersey City will cut across between Dennis Vanderbilt’s house and the Misses Vanderbilt’s. Mr. Vanderbilt will sell a strip through his place, and Mrs. Martha Booraem will not sell. This move will avoid a sharp curve and enable them better to meet the portion of the road now being made at Elizabeth.

Mrs. John Kuhlthau is improving from a spell of sickness.

For Milltown Councilmen the Democrats are running Messrs. Bright, Cantor and Barthold Christ, while the Republicans nominated Henry Dorn, Henry Lins and Nicholas Christ. Vote for the ablest men to manage our borough affairs.

A. W. Bullock has gone to Denver, Colorado, in the interest of the Rockland Engine Co., of New York City. He goes to install an oil system in the Government mint in Denver.

Edward Bingle, of John street, was very pleasantly surprised the other day with the present of a little daughter. All are doing well.

George Buhl, of Main street, was out for a spin on his motor cycle when he came up with a crippled automobile at Dayton. Two other strange motor cycles had stopped, and the three started out to tow the auto from Dayton to Hightstown. The trip of nine miles they did in 4 minutes, and they received lunch and a fine lunch besides. This novel trio was an object of curiosity all along the line.

Rev. J. E Shaw has started in now upon his second year’s work at the Reformed Seminary at New Brunswick. We would that there were more desiring better methods of spreading the gospel and of looking deeper into His word.