An Early Railroad Incident in 1852 Killed Pelham Resident John Middleton

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As long as there have been railroads there have been tragic railroad accidents. When man meets massive iron horse, of course, man is sure to lose. One very early incident when the line we know today as the New Haven line was only six years old killed a Pelham resident named John Middleton. New York's daily newspaper, the New-York Daily Times (later renamed The New York Times), wrote about the incident. Today's Blog posting provides the content of the article.

"KILLED ON A RAILROAD. - At an early hour on Saturday evening, a gentleman, named John Middleton, residing at Pelham Corners, Westchester County, met with a fatal accident. The Porchester Town train of the New Haven Railroad had stopped at One Hundred and Ninth street Station, when the unfortunate man leaped off for a moment. The cars suddenly started, and in his effort to regain the platform, he fell upon the track and was instantly killed by the wheels passing over his body. The train was stopped, and his remains were conveyed to the River House, at Harlem, where Coroner Hilton held an inquest and a suitable verdict was rendered by the Jury."

Source: Killed on a Railroad, N.Y. Daily Times, Jan. 30, 1854, p. 8, col. 1.

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