From the March, 1912 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine: ANOTHER ERIE VETERAN.
The subject of this sketch, Engineer E. Mintram, was born in England, near Southampton, in 1839. He came to this country in 1852 and secured a position in the machine shop of the Long Island Railroad at Jamaica, starting on sixty-two and a half cents per day. He worked for this company about eight years and learned to run every machine in the shop, besides doing bench work. He served one year in the copper, brass, sheet iron and tin work, after which he was given charge of this work, receiving $3 per day. In the eight years of service for this company he had worked at most everything -- fired on the road, ran stationary engine in shops, and would here say that at this time every engine on the road was a wood burner, with the old eccentric rods, hook motion. Mr. Mintram well remembers the first coal burner that arrived. It was a Rodgers, with the link motion, and was a coal burner, there being but one fireman on the whole road that could fire coal.
He was taken from his run to fire this engine, and Mintram took his place on the wood burner. In 1863, he had a call to go on the Brooklyn Central Railroad, running between Jamaica and East New York, as engineer, and to do repair work, they having two small engines and a dummy engine. He remained there about two years.
At that time the oil fever was raging, and he with others went out there, and he secured a job with the Excelsior Company of New York; they had twelve or fourteen engines putting down wells for oil; his job being to keep these engines in repair. He stayed there three months, got tired of that wild country and returned to New York. He then went into the clock, watch and jewelry business in Jamaica, L.I., and remained about a year.
In 1867 he was sent for by J.E. Wiggin, master mechanic of the New Jersey Central Railroad shops at Communipaw, and worked three years in the machine shop, when he was given charge of the copper, brass, tin and sheet iron works, remaining for two years. The New Jersey Midland Railroad, now the NYS&W, in 1872 commenccd operation running between Hackensack and Bloomingdale. J.E. Wiggins, who had been master mechanic of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, took charge as master mechanic of the shops at Wortendyke, N.J., and sent for Mintram. He said he wanted some one that could do anything -- boiler work, tank repairing, build smoke-stacks and machine work, and that Mintram was the one he wanted and must come. Mintram accepted the offer, and remained through changes from New Jersey Midland to Oswego Midland, and back again to New Jersey Midland.
He remained until the road went into the receiver's hands, the late Mr. G.A. Hohart of Paterson being appointed receiver. During the time he was there, five years, all told, he had worked up from erecting foreman to shop foreman, and the last two years as general foreman. The first engine turned out of the shop at Wortendyke, he was called upon to set its valves, there being not a single man in the shops -- not even the foreman -- who could set a valve. After that Mintram set most of the valves.
When the road went into receiver's hands, there were some changes made; a new master mechanic and a new foreman. He then took a trip to England, and on his return in 1877 was sent for by Danl. Thompson, superintendent of the Crawford Branch, which had but one engine. Mr. Thompson wanted him to take it, so as to keep the engine in repair and run trains. He accepted, and in 1882 the Erie leased the branch, accepting the employes with it. Mintram remained until he was injured at Wickham Avenue, Middletown, by the 0.& W. on Dec. 22, 1902.
He used to run a little Rodgers engine with cylinders 14 bv 24 in., and 4 ft. 6 in. driving wheel. He had this engine, No. 110, for 14 years, and burned wood for about six years. F.D. Corwin, engineer on the New York Division, fired for him eleven years. Mintram says he knew every bolt in this engine, and did most of the repairs himself -- washed out boiler and tested stay bolts. It was seldom that she went to shop.
Mintram says he is thankful that in all his service for the Erie Railroad Co. he never received a word, or letter, of complaint, and was never called to the office. He did everything he could for the benefit of the company, and the company gave him credit for same. He says in conclusion: "I can and do most earnestly and thankfully say that the Erie officials have been good to me, which I appreciate. I have saved the company many hundreds of dollars in my work, and the company knows and appreciates it. I am now nearly 75 years old, with good health, only a cripple, and hope to live many years more."
From the March 23, 1894 issue of the Middletown Argus:
On the Crawford branch of the Erie there is a milk station called Van Keuren's, about two miles south of Pine Bush. The train only stops on signal for passengers. There is no station agent to flag the train, but it is understood by everybody in the neighborhood, that the waving of a handkerchief or even the hand in daylight, or the lighting of a match at night, is all the signal the engineer requires to stop the train.
There is a sharp curve just south of the depot and quite a steep grade, and as the train usually runs at good speed at this point, Engineer Mintram always keeps a sharp lookout for a signal, so as to be able to stop at the station if necessary.
On Tuesday evening (March 20), as the engine rounded the curve, both Mr. Mintram and his fireman saw a light at the depot and the engine was reversed and the air brake applied, but when the engine was opposite the platform, Mr. Mintram saw two lights instead of one, and behind them a big Thomas cat. He was disgusted and threw over the lever, let off the brakes and pulled out for Pine Bush at a lively speed.
The light seen by Mr. Mintram was the reflection of the headlight in one of the cat's eye, and it was so brilliant that he fully believed it was intended for a signal. Had the animal been looking squarely at him so that he could have seen both eyes, he could not have been deceived as he says it is no uncommon thing to see cat's eyes shining along the road at night.
This is probably the first time a cat stopped a railroad train.
From the September 5, 1917 issue of the Middletown Times-Press:
Wreck on Pine Bush Branch of the Erie
One man was mortally injured, and another lies in the Thrall Hospital in this city today, suffering from injuries sustained at 7:40 o'clock last evening (September 4, 1917), when a passenger coach of the two-car train on the Pine Bush branch of the Erie Railroad was derailed near the Borden's Condensed Milk Company creamery, a short distance from Pine Bush. The cars broke loose from the locomotive and dashed over a siding, striking a milk car that was standing on the siding near the creamery building. The impact hurled the occupants of the derailed car from their seats, and the dead man struck his head against a seat, fracturing his skull.
The dead:
Edwin Mintram, retired locomotive engineer, of Pine Bush. Died on his way to hospital from mortal internal injuries and fractured skull.
The injured:
Burson B. King, 33, assistant cashier in the First National Bank, Middletown. In Thrall Hospital, suffering from abrasions to the chest, a fractured left arm, and probable internal injuries. Will live.
Approaching Pine Bush
The train was approaching Pine Bush last evening and after the locomotive had passed over the spur of the switch of the siding leading to the Borden creamery building, when the combination smoking and baggage car, and the day coach, broke away from the locomotive and ran under their own momentum up the siding. Near the creamery building an empty milk car was standing. Against this dashed the combination car, and the impact derailed the car. The rear part of the coach dashed against the milk car and the construction crushed like an egg shell. The day coach was not derailed, but remained on the rails of the siding.
Other Men in Car
J.H. Hayes, an employee of the Erie Railroad, of Pine Bush; Frederick D. Decker, a Pine Bush feed dealer; Lewis Schoonmaker, of New York City; and "Lin" Wakeman, a brakeman, were the other occupants of the wrecked car. When the car struck the milk car, these men were occupying the baggage compartment. All were seated on the left-hand side, where the impact occurred. Edwin Mintram, the dead man, was seated on the left side of the smoking compartment, talking with King. When the cars struck, the combination coach broke loose from the day coach and toppled over on its side.
As soon as possible, Mr. Hayes and Wakeman, the brakeman of the train freed themselves from the debris and succeeded in getting out of the wrecked car. The secured bars and broke an entrance into the smoking compartment, where they found Mr. Mintram and Mr. King lying upon the seats. The aged engineer was suffering from fatal injuries, and Mr. King was unconscious. The two uninjured men carried their companions to the day coach, and a few moments after the accident, Dr. A.T. Davis, a young physician from New York stopping at the Erie House in Pine Bush, arrived at the scene and attended the injured men.
A few moments later, Dr. A.W. Waterbury, of Pine Bush, was on hand and assisted in dressing the wounds. It was at once seen that both men needed hospital attention and they were placed in an automobile and rushed to Thrall Hospital here. On the way to the hospital, mr. Mintram succumbed to the injuries. A careful examination of Mr. King revealed that he was suffering from painful abrasions about the chest, and it was thought his left arm was fractured. The hospital physicians are still doubtful if internal injuries were suffered.
The train was in charge of Samuel Keynon, engineer of Port Jervis, and conductor H.A. Hopler of Pine Bush.
The body of the dead man was taken to the undertaking parlors of the Rockafellow Burial Company, North Street, and the relatives were notified of the tragedy. This morning arrangements were being made for the funeral.
Much Excitement
The village of Pine Bush was ablaze with excitement last evening following the accident. Usually quiet, the wreck within site of the village station, in full view of the persons on the platform, sent a flurry of excitement through the town. Scores of persons flocked about the wreckage a short time after the crash. Many wild rumors were circulated, and the early reports of the accident reaching this city were to the effect that the entire train crew had met death, and that the rails had spread and the train plunged down the embankment beside the tracks.
From the September 5, 1917 issue of the Middletown Times-Press:
Edwin Mintram, of Pine Bush, who was killed in the wreck on the Pine Bush branch of the Erie Railroad, last evening at 7:40 o'clock, was born in England 78 years ago, and had resided in Pine Bush for the past 40 years, during which time he was employed by the Erie Railroad as a locomotive engineer. Mr. Mintram was formerly the engineer on the train upon which he met his death last evening.
On May 5th, 1861, the deceased was united in marriage to Miss Susan Ashmead, who survives him. He was prominently identified with the social life of Pine Bush and was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of that place. He was a steward in the church, and was a member of the Walden Masonic Lodge. For some time, Mr. Mintram served as fire chief at Pine Bush and during this time was one of the most alert chiefs of the village since the installation of the fire fighting equipment. At the time of his death he was the vice-president of the village.
Some time ago, Mr. Mintram retired from active service on the Erie branch. He came to Middletown on Tuesday, where he spent part of the day. It was on the return trip that the fatal accident occurred.
Besides his wife, the deceased is survived by three daughters, Fannie A. Terwilliger of Pine Bush; Mrs. H.E. Skinner of Matamoras, PA; Mrs. Florence A. Rosencrans, of Port Jervis. One son, Frank R. Mintram, of Middletown, also survives him.
The funeral services will be held on Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the Methodist Church at Pine Bush, of which the deceased was a devoted member. The services will be conducted by Rev. Dr. George E. Wright. Interment in the New Prospect Cemetery, near Pine Bush.
The unfortunate man was well and favorably known in this city, where for a number of years he came daily in connection with his railroad duties.
From the October, 1917 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Edward Mintram, a retired Erie railroad engineer, was killed in an accident near Pine Bush, N. Y., on September 4 (1917).
Mr. Mintram was riding in a coach of a westbound train, and as it approached the milk station the cars became derailed, and breaking loose from the engine ran over the crossing. The car in which he was riding struck a milk car, and he was thrown from his seat. His head struck against another seat and fractured his skull. He died later.
Mr. Mintram was born in England and had resided in Pine Bush about forty years. Some time before his retirement he ran the train on which he met his fate. Mr. Mintram was a steward of the Methodist Church, Pine Bush, and a member of Waldon Lodge, F. and A.M.