Three Court Documents Re: The Whitesboro New York Train Wreck, 1858

A group of three legal documents regarding settlements between the New York Rail Road Company and numerous claimants after a train wreck at Whitesboro, New York on May 11, 1858. Settlements were made to Charles Zahn for the death of his wife and injury to his own person, to Abram and Rosa Mack for the death of two of their children, and Eliza Ann Garrett for the death of her husband. The documents vary in size, most measuring 8" x 12.75", and dating from June 25-November 8, 1858. Excerpts from the claims/settlements are below:

New York Supreme Court: Charles Zahn v. New York Central Rail Road Company, agreement to release the claim for a payment of $2000. In part: "Whereas Louisa Zahn, who was the wife of Charles Zahn, while a passenger on one of the trains of The New York Central Rail Road Company & on or about the 11th day of May 1858 in the accident at the Sauquoit Bridge was injured & afterward at Utica departed this life intestate for which injuries and the damages arising from said accident the said Louisa & Charles in the lifetime of the said Louisa brought an action in the Supreme Court of the State of New York…against said Rail Road Company…"

Statement of Abram and Rosa Mack, in part: "Whereas Abram Mack and Rosa Mack…accompanied by their six children were passengers in one of the cars of the New York Central Rail Road Company, which car was one of the train cars called the Cincinnati Express…on the morning of the eleventh day of May 1858…when said train of cars arrived at, and upon the Rail Road Bridge of said company constructed over Sauquoit Creek near Whitesboro in the County of Oneida, said Rail Road Bridge was crushed down and broken, and several of the cars of said train were precipitated into said Creek and broken into pieces, causing the death of several of the passengers, and injuring a number of others…"

The documents all have flattened folds, with some separations and small tears starting at the edges of some folds. Minor chipping in some places at the edges. Light edge toning. Areas of staining from wax seals. Overall very good.

On May 11th, 1858, the New York Central Railroad’s Cincinnati Express was heading east across a two-track wooden bridge over Sauquoit Creek in Whitesboro. Almost simultaneously, a westbound freight train also began to cross. While the locomotives made it safely across, the weight of the cars was too much for the bridge. Its north side collapsed, dropping cars from both trains into the creek. In total, nine people were killed and 55 more were injured in the wreck. An investigation into the crash revealed negligence on the part of the railroad company, resulting in the "extreme rottenness" of the bridge.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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