Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-07-08
Aooident on the B. 8 o. railroad.


An accident occurred to the Cincinnati Elk
press train, on Sunday last, 4 miles from Bal
timore, by the displacement of Switch by
some fiond. Fortunately but few passengers
were on the train, and the casualties were Won
derlully few. The Gazette Of Tuesday says;
Further inquiries into the causes Of the seri-
Gus accident to the Cincinnati express train,
which occurred on Sunday night last, fail to
develop anything Of real Importance, other than
was Published in yesterdays Gazette, 1t is
gratifying, however to be able to state, that
the accident was not more serious in its results,
passengers in the rear cars escaped almost Gu
tirely uninjurod. Yesterday the railroad off,
GERS were busily engaged in investigating the
causes of the disaster, and the opiRion arrived
at is that the switch Was opened designedly by
some person or persons with the evident pur-
pose of throwing the train from the track.
Two small pieces Of iron, called keys" used
TO connec. the vertical and horizontal bars of
the switch, had been removed, which enabled,
the fendish operator to push that part Of the
track controlled by the switch opened sufficient
~ to throw the carsfrom the track to the sleep
ers. heengiue was only slightly damaged,
and after running distance Of about forty feet
was stopped OF the train, it appears that
but two Of the passenger cars, the baggage car
and tender were the only portions injured, the
remaining cars escaping. The two passenger
cars referred to were pretty thoroughly demOl-
ished, and partly overturned, aud all the pas
seugers more or less bruised and injured.
The fact Is not generally known that the
Washington train, which leaves Camden Sta
ton at $50 P. NJ, passes the incoming Gin
cinnati express at or about where the accident
occurred. and it is believed that the wretch who
dispaced.the switch hoped to destroy beth
] trains, in which design he would have succeed
cd but for the presence Of mind Of the engi-
neer Of the Cincinnati express, Washington
Shiplcy. When the accident occurred, Mr..
Shipley, 10y consulting his watch, discovered
that but one and half minutes would elapse
before the Washington train would pass, and
at once compruhending the situation and see
ing the perilous position Of the wrecked train
and the one approaching, wrenched off two
of the engine lights, and giving one to the fire.
man and taking the other himself, started in
the direction of the Washington train, the APP
proach which could already be heard. When
the train came in sight the fireman waved the
light, which unfortunately was extinguished
by the wind The signal was, however, OBJ
served, but as it was not repeated the train
still thundered on, when the engineers signal
was observed, short distance further on, and
the train stopped in time. Had the trains met
in the cut the loss of life mustnecessarily have
been fearful, and the escape is considered mi
raculous. The Washington train from that
city was also signaed in time on the other
side by various lights, many of the brakesmen
and passengers burning their handkerchiefs
and other articles for that purpose On ordi-
nary occasions the two trains met at that point
where the accident occurred, but by the delay
Of minute in the Washington train, and the
presence Of mind of Engineer Shiplcy, one Of
the most frghtful accidents was averted.
\ reward Of $500 has been offered for the
arrest of the perpctrator Of the inhuman out
rage.