Horse VS. Iron Horse in Franklin Lakes

HORSE VS. IRON HORSE IN FRANKLIN LAKES

BY

JACK GOUDSWARD.

     Ever Since the inception of the train, stories and myths abound around it and the horse. The stories range from races and load pulls. But not many are true. There is one story that is known to be true. It deals with the love of a horse for a fallen rider and the contempt for a train. This event started at 11: 50 on a Monday morning in 1962. It was then Marlina Breitner, then a fourteen year old girl, was riding her horse along the abandoned section of McCoy Road. She was making her way uphill when she heard the train approaching her location.  She directed the horse forward, but instead the horse backed into the train.

     The train hit the horse in the rump knocking the horse and rider to the ground. Ed Blockborn, the Engineer of the train, stopped the train and went to the aid of the horse and rider. Marlina was not hurt in the fall but injured as the horse rose to its feet. As the horse came up he kicked Marlina in the forehead causing a large cut and concussion. . Now this is where local legend takes off. It is said that after the horse got to its feet and after checking on the rider approached the train. It then turned and kicked the train. A report did confirm a dent in the locomotive.

      The engineer left the trainman with the rider and went by train to the Oakland Post Office to contact police. Te Post Office was in the then Rail Road Station at that time. The police, ambulance and Doctor Abed responded to the crossing at the Oakland Coal and Lumber operation. It is now know as 84 Lumber. They boarded the train and went to the accident site. Departing the train and making their way up the embankment Doctor Abed turned his foot and was given first Aid at the rear of the train.  He later returned to his office.

       The injured were given First Aid by Squad Members and removed by train to the ambulance. He was taken to Chilton Memorial Hospital were she received seventeen stitches to close the cut on her forehead. She also suffered a concussion in the mishap. She was later released to the care of her parents. The horse suffered only a sore rump. Both horse and rider recovered to ride again.