Mud Run Train Wreck - October 10, 1888 - List of Victims

I am writing a non-fiction account of the Mud Run Train Disaster. If you have any information, please contact me at quailcreekpub@hotmail.com. I am trying to gather as much information as I can about the disaster. Any new information will be included in the book. Thank you.

List of Those Killed At Mud Run

October 12, 1888

Jessup

John Rogan – St. James Temperance Society, CTAU.

Miner’s Mill

James Flynn – “At Miner’s Mills, the train stopped to leave the body of James Flynn. No lights could be obtained, and much of the work was done in partial darkness.”

Minooka

William Cusick
St. Joseph's, Minooka

James Conaboy, 18, CTAU – Brothers were car runner and mule driver. Parents born in Ireland. Father Michael a coal miner.

Festus Mulkerin
St. Joseph's, Minooka

William “Willie” Cusick, 21 – Son of Anthony Cusick, step-brother of Festus Mulkerin. Born in Minooka.

Festus Mulkerin, 26, CTAU – Born in Ireland. Laborer. Father killed in the mines in 1867, five years after his arrival. Festus’s daughter Bridgit was born on November 8, 1888. After his widow's death, Festus’s son Michael lived with Antony Cusick.

James Mullen, 18, CTAU – Slate Picker. Parents Bridgit and Peter born in Ireland. Lived  in Coary Hollow section of Minooka, south of Davis Street. Nephew of Richard Powell. Mother Bridget Powell Mullen.

Patrick Powell, Jr. – Lehigh Valley Railroad list of fatalities indicates he was a junior. Patrick does not appear in the 1880 census, and nothing more is known about him. However, it is likely that he was related to Richard Powell.

Richard and Rose Powell
St. Joseph's, Minooka

Richard and Rose Powell (late forties) – 1870 census: Laborer. Lived next door to Mike and Ellen Flynn Powell (Rose’s sister). Next to them was Ed Powell, Richard’s brother. 1880 census: Miner.

Thomas Toole, 19 – Parents: Michael and Ellen Flynn Toole. Nephew of Rose Powell. Lived next door to the Powells. Thomas had a twin, William. Slate picker in 1880. Parents born in Ireland. Father a miner.

Olyphant

Anthony Mulligan – St. Patrick’s CTAU. Arrived in the U.S. in May 1886 on the British King in Philadelphia.

Pleasant Valley

John and Martin Barrett
St. Mary's, Avoca

John Barrett, 17, CTAU, brother of Martin Barrett – In the 1880 census, his father, Michael (d. 1919), was a coal miner, and his older brother worked at the breaker. His headstone reads: “John Barrett 1872-1888 and Martin Barrett 1874-1888 - Were Victims of Mud Run Disaster.” Another brother, Thomas (1870-1884), was also buried there. 

Martin Barrett, 14, CTAU – See John Barrett for details.

James Brehony, 14, CTAU – Newspapers reported that he was “crushed into the timbers. Little hands clasped above.” Father a merchant. Nephew by marriage of Mrs. Bridgit Brehony; who was also killed. Father Michael emigrated to the U.S. in 1868; mother born in Pennsylvania.

Margaret and Patrick Brehony
St. Mary's, Avoca

Mrs. Patrick (Bridgit/Bezie) Brehony, 48 – Will filed in Luzerne County as Bridgit A. Brehony. Tombstone reads: “Patrick B. Brehony (1834-1923) -Bezie his wife (1840-1888) - May they rest in peace.”

Patrick and Bridget married in Ireland. Moved to Australia where their two oldest children, Thomas and Catherine, were born, and where Patrick was a successful gold miner. In the 1870 census, the Brehonys are living in Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania, and Patrick is a farmer. Opened a grocery store on Main Street in Pleasant Valley. Two of Patrick’s brothers, Rev. James Brehony and Rev. Thomas Brehony, were priests, both of whom participated in James and Bezie’s requiem mass at St. Mary’s.

John M. Coleman, 40, CTAU – Miner. Father of John and Michael – “John M. Coleman, another victim of the wreck, leaves a wife and seven children” (New York Times 10/13). Headstone at St. Mary’s reads: “John M. and Rose Coleman.” The Coleman family lived down the street from the Little York breaker and the Penn Coal Co. shaft.

John Coleman, 13 – Son of John M. Coleman. Identified as Patrick; shown as Patrick in the 1880 census.

Michael Coleman, 14, CTAU – Son of John M. Coleman.

Patrick Curran
St. Mary's Avoca

Patrick Curran, 15, CTAU – Parents born in Ireland. Patrick’s father an illiterate laborer. Headstone at St. Mary’s reads: “Born January __, 1873 – Died October 10, 1888.” (Birth date was illegible.) In the 1880 census, Anthony Curran, Patrick’s older brother by one year, is shown as working as a slate picker.

Abram Doran, 11, CTAU, the youngest Mud Run victim – Son of Patrick Doran, a widower. Miner born in Ireland. Treasurer of the St. Mary’s TAB Society. The 1900 census indicates that Patrick was a grocer and remarried. They had a seven-year-old son, Abram. Lived on McAlpine Street.

Lewis/Louis Doran, 14, CTAU – See Abram Doran for details.

William (Willie) Earley, 16, CTAU – His headstone reads: “Anthony P. Earley died Jan. 17, 1886; Margaret L. his wife died April 5, 1915; William, their son, died October 10, 1888.”

William Earley
St. Mary's, Avoca

Kate Featherstone, 15 – Father James was a hotelkeeper, Liberty Hall Hotel (liquors). Lived near Michael Brehony, father of James. Kate, whose family had roots in Wilkes-Barre, was buried in that city. Father emigrated from Athlone, County Westmeath, one of the few families who were not from the West of Ireland.

Mathew Flaherty, 17 – Matthew was in the band. Parents Irish born. Father miner. Older brothers are laborers. Lived on Spring Street north of Hawthorne.

Jackson Cousins
St. Mary's, Avoca

Austen Gibbons, 13, CTAU, altar boy – “The first body carried out was that of Oscar [sic] Gibbons, 13 years of age, borne in the arms of his stalwart brother”  (Scranton Republican 10/12). Father miner and Irish born; mother Irish; John 16 (1880) mule driver.

James Jackson, 15, CTAU, son of Frank Jackson – Grave marker in St. Mary’s is illegible.

James Jackson, 16, CTAU, son of Henry Jackson – Grave marker in St. Mary’s is illegible.

Patrick Keenan – Listed on CTAU “Our Broken Ranks” as being from Scranton.

William Kelly
St. Mary's, Avoca

William Kelly, 32, CTAU – According to, Kelly “leaves a wife and two children” (New York Times 10/13). Kelly was buried the day after the mass Pleasant Valley funerals. Secretary of St. Mary’s Benevolent Society and belonged to the Knights of Labor.

James Lynott, 15, CTAU – Brother of John. Born June 1872, parents were John Lynott and Catherine Daugherty – Bodies prepared at O’Malley Funeral Home on Main Street (actually lived in Moosic).

John Lynott, 13, CTAU – Brother of James (actually lived in Moosic)

John J. McAndrews, 13, CTAU – Son of Margaret McAndrews.

Margaret McAndrews (Mrs. Patrick), 38/45 – “At the home of Patrick McAndrews lies the bodies of his wife and two sons. The boys were the mainstay of the little home as the father has been an invalid for some time. One son lives in New York, and there are five others of tender years” (New York Times – 10/13).

Thomas F. McAndrews, 15, CTAU – Son of Mrs. Patrick McAndrews.

Bernard (Barney) Meehan, 48, CTAU – “Meehan leaves a wife and two children (New York Times 10/14). Mrs. Meehan died on February 11, 1894.

Barney and Polly Meehan
St. Mary's Avoca

Mary (Polly) Meehan, 22/19 –“One of the saddest features of the accident was the death of Miss Meehan of Pleasant Valley. She was pinned down in her seat, and when a hole had been cut through the car, her sad face was the first that greeted Father Melley. She was alive, patient and apparently strong, and sat facing her rescuers. While still talking with the priest, her father’s dead body was carried from the car in her presence. She recognized the remains of her father but bore her injuries and grief with singular fortitude. Soon afterwards, she called for a friend from Pleasant Valley. The word was passed along the line, and the gentleman called for soon reached her. To him she gave her gold watch and chain and other trinkets, requested him to deliver a message to her people at home, and in short time thereafter, died, having bled to death from injuries to her legs.” The Scranton Republican – 10/12

Benjamin/Bernard (Bennie) O’Brien, 13, CTAU – Altar boy. Father Luke was blind and unemployed.

Thomas Ruddy, CTAU –Ruddy “leaves a wife and two children”(New York Times 10/13). Father of four.” Lived on South Street north of Cherry.

John Walsh, CTAU – In the band – Told rescuers to “go save Polly Meehan.” Died in the hospital in Wilkes-Barre.

Patrick Walsh/Welsh, 19 – In the band. Father a miner. Parents Irish born. Patrick was a slate picker. Lived next to Mrs. McAndrews.

Michael Whelan, Jr., 12, CTAU – Altar boy. Parents born in PA. Father Michael kept a restaurant. “A sad incident was the presence on the platform of Michael Whalen of Pleasant Valley. Up and down he wandered, questioning each one as to his two boys, aged respectively twelve and fourteen years. Finally one of the passengers remembered that one of the boys was hurt. The informant hurried away and told a reporter that he thought both the boys were dead” (Edwardsville Intelligencer, IL, October 17, 1888). Michael’s brother survived.

Moosic (also listed with Pleasant Valley)

Thomas Morrissey, 13, CTAU. – Traveled to Hazleton with brother-in-law John W. Millet and brother Michael.

Charles Goelitz (reported as Goltze and Galitz), 18, CTAU.

Scranton

John Ahearn (not John A. Hearn as originally reported), young man, CTAU Scranton, Luzerne Street, Bellevue – Member of Hay Drum Corps and a member of St. Peter’s TAB. Was attended by the St. Peter’s TAB Society of Bellevue. Pallbearers: Edward Dean, Thomas Hogan, Patrick Gannon, Patrick Calpin, James Keegan, and Thomas Ruddy.

Michael Dolan (young man), CTAU Scranton, Prospect Avenue, Meadowbrook – Buried on the afternoon of 10/14. See Patrick Smith for details of funeral. Pallbearers: John B. Lavelle, John C. Lavelle, Martin Cusick, Barney McBride, Michael Malia, and Thomas Falley. Buried from St. John the Evangelist, South Scranton.

William Duhigg, 18, Dodgetown/Bellevue (6^th Ward), 324 First Street – First coffin brought into St. Peter’s Cathedral. Pallbearers: Patrick Langan, Thomas Coar, James Discon, John O’Malley, Michael O’Malley, and John Ruane. Older brothers were in mines by 11 years of age. Father a miner in 1880 and 1900.

James Farry, 16, CTAU Green Ridge, Meylert Avenue, (2nd Ward #544) – Procession along Lackawanna Avenue “of immense length” buried at Hyde Park Cemetery. “Only son of a widowed mother.”

James Gallagher, 16, CTAU Providence – Buried on the afternoon of October 14 from Holy Rosary on William Street. “The funeral was attended by about 1000 persons exclusive of the temperance organizations.” Gallagher was the son of James Gallagher of Oak Street. See Peter Kline for funeral details.

John J. Gibson (also Gibbons – young man, 21, of N. Chestnut Street, West Side) – Buried from St. Patrick’s Church on Jackson Street. “Preceding the service in honor of Kate McNichols were those for the repose of the soul of John J. Gibson of Chestnut Street. The sermon by Father Whelan was brief but impressive. Many friends attended the funeral.” Pallbearers: Thomas Hope, Joseph Conroy, James Riel, John Burke, M. Carney, and John Rush. “There were floral offerings presented by friends, conspicuous among the number being an anchor, a cross and a beautiful bouquet. These were carried by Michael Gilroy, Matthew Murphy, C. Murphy, and T. M. Coy. The burial in the Hyde Park grounds was largely attended.”

James Hart, 17, CTAU Green Ridge – Brother of Martin. Buried out of St. Peter’s Cathedral.

Maggie Hart, 20, Hyde Park - Most likely Maggie was buried from St. Patrick’s, Hyde Park.

Martin Hart, 15, CTAU Green Ridge, Breaker Street – Brother of James. Procession along Lackawanna Avenue “of immense length” buried at Hyde Park Cemetery.

James Keating, 16, CTAU Scranton, Bellevue – Buried out of St. Peter’s Cathedral. Attended by St. Peter’s Cadets. Pallbearers: Masters Thomas J. Coggins, Bartlett Mangan, John and Michael McLean, Michael Regan, and James Moffatt.

Katie Kennedy, 18  – “The [Wilkes-Barre] hospital authorities stated this evening that Miss Katie Kennedy of Hyde Park, who was one of the most seriously hurt, had died in the afternoon [of October 11]. Her last moments were made lighter by the presence of a sister who arrived from Scranton early in the morning. She made the 58th victim. Burnt about face, hands, and arms.” Father worked in an iron mill.

Owen Killcullen
Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton

Owen Kilcullen, 35, South Washington Avenue – From County Sligo. “The two men who died at the hospital this afternoon were Owen Kilcullen, aged 35, of Scranton, and Thomas Moran, aged 26, of Bellevue.” (10/12 – Scranton Republican) –Headstone reads: “Owen Kilcullen A Native of the Parish of Castle Connor Co. Sligo, Ireland – Died Oct. 11, 1888, A Victim of the Mud Run Disaster – May his soul rest in peace, Amen.” In Scranton 1887 directory, Owen’s occupation was “clerk.” 

Peter Kline, 16, Brick Avenue, Providence – Face and hands burned and injured internally. Died in Wilkes-Barre hospital. “Kline was buried from the Church of the Holy Rosary on William Street in a joint funeral [with James Gallagher]. The burial services were attended by about 1000 persons exclusive of the temperance organizations. Peter Kline [was taken] from the residence of his widowed mother of Church Street by members of Father Whitty’s Young Men and conveyed to the church. Rev. Father McDonald officiated. After the formal funeral ceremonies, he referred to the premature death of the young men, who were just entering upon a career of usefulness and respectability, and the sad blight of this promise by Wednesday night’s catastrophe” (Scranton Republican – 10/12). His father, James, had been killed by a powder explosion at Leggett’s Creek Mine five months earlier, leaving four orphans.

Michael Maxwell, 16, CTAU Providence, Leggett’s Creek – His brother Frank may have been with him at Mud Run.

Edward O’Malley (also Malia and Malley), 16, CTAU Green Ridge, Von Storch Avenue – Procession along Lackawanna Avenue “of immense length.” Buried at Hyde Park Cemetery.

Katie McNichols, 26, Scranton Avenue, Hyde Park – Buried on October 14th at 3:00. Sister of  Mrs. F. D. (Mary) Collins. Father retail grocer. Did not die immediately. Her injuries were a result of inhalation of steam. “Scranton Street, almost throughout its length, was yesterday a scene of mourning. It was here the much beloved Kate McNichols lived, and her popularity as well as the sincere sorrow her sudden loss has created was well attended by immense concourse of people and a long line of carriages that had gathered to do reverence to her memory. It was nearly evening before the funeral procession moved to St. Patrick’s Church on Jackson Street. Miss Celia Brown was the organist. Pallbearers: Messrs. T. F. McCourt, George Lavis, John Carroll, F. F. Brown, E. J. McNally and J. J. Gannon. The flower bearers were Messrs. R. J. Barrett, P. F. McCann, M. R. Glynn, J. J. Devine, J. F. McCawley and T. H. Carroll” (Scranton Republican 10/12).

Michael Moffit, 26 – Railroad Avenue, Bellevue – Buried out of St. Peter’s Cathedral along with Duhigg, Noon, Hearn, Keating, and Moran. “The six coffins were borne up the aisle by the various St. Mathew Societies to which the victims belonged and arranged in rows in front of the altar where flowers and candles had been tastefully placed by loving hands” (Scranton Republican 10/12) Father a laborer.

Thomas Moran (reported as Moor), 28, Luzerne Street, Bellevue – Died in the hospital in Wilkes-Barre. Buried out of St. Peter’s Cathedral. Pallbearers: Charles Lavis, John Flynn, Daniel Hurley, Henry Dowdell, M. T. Brennan, and Martin Rider.

William Noon, 20, South Seventh Street, 12th Ward – Buried from St. Peter’s Cathedral – “Attended by The Myrtle Social Club of which he was a member. Pallbearers: P. L. Messett, M. J. McGuire, W. J. Shallow, J. J. McGuire, M. H. Sweeney, Peter Noon. (Scranton Republican 10/12) The Myrtle Club was a social club “popular with young people” that hosted dances and an annual complimentary ball. In 1887 Scranton Directory, Noon was a clerk living with Peter Noon, laborer, at 154 S. Seventh in Scranton.

Patrick Smith, 18, CTAU Scranton – Meadowbrook – Buried on afternoon of 10/14. “In the Church of St. John the Evangelist, services were conducted for the repose of the souls of Patrick Smith and Michael Dolan, two young people just passing out of boyhood. The former was immediately killed in the accident; the latter mortally injured and died in great agony. Both were residents of the 20th Ward. Smith, the death of whose brother was chronicled a few months since, was the only boy of a motherless family, and Dolan is said to have parents now on their way to this country from Ireland, wholly ignorant of the calamity which has befallen them. Both of these victims were members of the A.B. Society, which in full regalia, attended the funeral services and marched in parade to the cemetery, as did the Pioneer Corps of the same name, the St. Peter’s T.A.B. Society of Bellevue and the St. Leo’s Battalion of West Side. The services were presided over by Rev. Father McAndrew” (Scranton Republican 10/12). Pallbearers: Michael McGarry, Morris Duggan, C. G. Boland, M. J. Malia, Michael McLean, and Michael McAndrews. Patrick was a newspaper carrier for The Scranton Republican for five years. Illiterate.

George Henry Stevens, 20, of Deacon Street, Green Ridge, son of William Stevens. Service was at 3:30 on 10/14 from Primitive M. E. Church, East Market Street. Conducted by Pastor George A. Russell who “delivered an impressive and consolatory sermon on life and death. The church choir sang several selections, after which, the remains were taken to Forest Hill Cemetery” (Scranton Republican 10/12). Working at the breaker in 1880.