Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-06-17

Fey WRECK On THE BALTIMORE AND
OmIO.-Among the hundreds of wrecks
10 freight and passenger trains that have
occurred in this country, and the total
and complete destruction of entire trains,
none have surpassed in singularty that
which happened to the wcstern>bound
express No. on the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, which, with its load of human
freight, was due at MartinSburg on Sat-
urday night last at 1925, The train was
within three miles Of MartinSburg, going
Gown grade at the rate of 30 mites an
hour, when, without the slightest appa-
rent cause and with not Il moments
warning, the engine jumped the rail,
pulling the tenGer, haggage-car, fruit
car, express and two passenger coaches
after 1.-THE two sleepers attached strange
10 say, not leaving the track,
There were about 50 passengers on
board, including q carload of soldiers Ges-
tined for Cincinnati, but not passenger
was seriously injured, One of the SOL
diers, said 10 be 6eserter, who was hand
cuffed, and a newsboy received slight cuts
AID bruises about their heads. The Otii-
GERS I'm charge of the train were Engineer
Josiah Shipley, Fireman Geo. Thrush and
Conductor Geo. Wheeler. Both engineer
and fireman Jumped after the engine had
come to a stand-still. The engine was lit
tie damaged, but the tender was turned
upside down, The fruit and baggage cars
were smashed TO pieces. The car next to
the baggage car was telescoped half It's
length by the coach next to 1t, the roof
being completely torn Oft and riddled,
The coach following WAS driven from its
truck and thrown across the south track,
and the hast car was landed 5roadSide
against the heavy slate embankment at
that point, with every wheel torn of.
The sleeperS snapped their couplings
and remained intact on the track, the oc-
cupants hardly being aware Of the acei-
dent. No satisfactory cause can be AS
signed for the accident. 1t was at first
supposed that the engine had struck
COW, bat nothiag could be found to war
rant the superstition, and up to this writ
log tie cause is undiscovered. Where the
accident occurred the tack had Just been
thoroughly repaired with new ties, rails
and ballast, The agent at Martinsburg,
Mr., w. I. Ladders, WAS at the scene OF
the wreck half an hour after its occur
renee, doing everything possible for the
comfort and safety of the passengers and
snperin!en ding the removal of debris.
Master OF Transportation w. NJ. Glenn
ents. Superintendent f, Mantz, and Col.
Johnson, master of roa,f, reached there on
the early morning train. The large force
of men at work had the south track ready
for passing trains at $50 a. IN. The north
track was torn up for distance of fifty
yards, and railroad bar was hurled
across the south track and into ravine
below. The fruit car was loaded with
strawberries, which were scattered IN AL
directions. The passengers were all con-
yeyed to Martinsburg and comfortably
cared for at the horels until Transports
tion could be furnished for the contina-
ance Of their journey. An examination
Of this wreck proves that a strong and
well-built coach is the surest protection
to the passenger. Had these cars been
old and rotten the loss of life would have
been terrible indeed.
Drs. Carr and Corner, Of Cumberland,
were present, but they found the injuries
Of the passengers to be of so slight NJ
tyre that their names were pot taken.