South Bethlehem, PA Train Wreck, Dec 1900

STUCK TO POST AT RISK OF LIFE

Though Boiler Blew Up Engineer on Fast Train Brought It to Standstill.

Special to The Inquirer.

SOUTH BETHLEHEM, Pa., Dec.11.---An accident to Lehigh Valley engine No. 356, which pulled the 8:40 New York express out of the Union Station this morning, resulted in the serious scalding of Engineer A. L. O'Brien and Fireman William Hoffert, both of Lehighton. While the train was going forty miles an hour an explosion of the boiler occurred. The cab of the engine was torn off and sent flying into the Lehigh River.

Though scalded by steam Engineer O'Brien stuck to his post until he had reversed the throttle and applied the air brakes. Then both he and the fireman jumped. Hoffert was scalded from head to foot.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA 12 Dec 1900

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HAD PREMONITION OF TERRIBLE ACCIDENT

Engineer Now Dead Had Fears Through Death of Child.

Special to The Inquirer.

SOUTH BETHLEHEM, Dec. 13.---Engineer Albert O'Brien, who saved a Lehigh Valley passenger train from destruction Tuesday morning by remaining at his post while escaping steam from a rent in the boiler in the cab scalded him, died tonight of his injuries. His fireman, Elmer Hoffert, died last night.

The engine killed a little girl on Monday and O'Brien told friends that night he had a fear that the death of the child was a forerunner of something worse.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA 14 Dec 1900
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!