The Evening critic., 1882-02-13
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS,

Rig Stnnsiup of Freight Trims on
the Midland Enthusiastically and
Sunday Observation-Disclosures and Ae-
cidebfs.
One of the most costly and frightful ac-
cidents that has taken place for years on
the Virginia Midland Railroad occurred
between 2 and 3 o'clock last Saturday even
ing.
Train No. so, northward-bound, which
should have been in Alexandria at 1885 p.
M, was nearly two hours late According
to the regulations of the road, delayed
train should remain at least thirty minutes
at the nearest station, so as TO allow the
train on time, coming in the opposite direc-
tiop, chance to pass. By this rule train
50 should have remained at Burk's station,
but it seems thai Mr.. Daley, the conductor,
received
Telegraph orders 90 Move or
TO Springfield, the next station. The con-
ductor of train IS, south.bouud, had no
information of this, and he passed Spring
field station, expecting to meet the north
ward train at Burk's.
The Two Trains COllided
directly opposite the twelve-mile post from
| Alexandria, running at full speed, for the
| scene of the accident was at u bend in
| deep cut between the hills, aud neither
engineer could see the opposite train in
| time to check his engine. About fifteen
| cars and both engines are total wrecks.
| Train 80 was very long one, but most of
| the cars were empty, aud it was on q steep
| down grade when it collided, so that it was
| running at more than ordinary speed.
There were eleven cals In the train from
| the South, chiefly loaded with corn, coal
and machinery.
The wrecked cars of this train were
loaded altogether with coal and corn and
none of the valuable machinery was in
| jured.
The engineers of the trains, with the
coolness and courage which distinguish
men of their following, called ont to their
comrades to leap for life, as soon as they
saw the inevitable danger
To Their Gallant Action
can be attributed the saving of human life,
for there was large number of Eien on the
trains, most of whom would have met vio-
lent deaths if they had not got timely warn
ing.
Mr.. James Fitzgerald, fireman of the
northbound train, was the only person Sc
riously injured. In leaping from the train
he fell on his head on rock. When he
was taken up he was supposed to be q dead
man, but he soon rallied. He was brought
to his boarding house in Alexandria, and
his father sent for, when he was taken to
the home of his parents in the country.
His doctor thinks he stands good chance
of recovery. AS soon rs the news of the
disaster reached Alexandria wrecking
train, on which were Drs. Lewis, Powell
and Smith, some of the officers of the road
aud large force of mechanics and labor
ers, was sent to the scene of the accident.
The hands got to work about 5 o'clock on
Saturday evening. and by working steady
they had the road free for the passage of
trains at 4:3O a. m. on Sunday morning.
A great many of the cars were so badly
crushed that no attempt was made to re-
move them, and
They Were Burned
as the quickest means of removing them off
the track. 1t is impossible to tell the
amount of the loss to the road at present,
but it will foot up a great many tens OF
thousands of dollars
Drunks, Plain and Ornam entail.
There were three drunken and dsorderly
characters reposiDg in the station-h house
this morning awaiting the arrival OF
! the Mayor. James Edwards (col.
!. ored) for reckless use of profanity
and for cutting at Sallie Timbers, also
colored. One individual, who was taken
up for disorderly conduct and carelessly
fling off his pistol on the Sabbath day
paid his fine last night and was allowed to
t 60 by the Mayor. John Hahe, alias Dutchy
, Davis, and his brother were taken up or
!, Cameron street last night for indulging il
Q one of their periodical and riotou
drunks. These two brothers have Ions
enjoyed very unsavory regulations ii
Alexandria for their turbulent ant
dangerous conduct when inebriated
They were hauled past the residence o
: THE CRITIC reporter, resisting and swear
!. ing and calling for the vengeance of Heaver
:, to descend upon the officers who had 81
wantonly interrupted their pleasure. Fo
long time after each one was provided
2 with an apartment to himself in tn,
I. station house dense volumes of sulphuroui
: profanities floated through the atmosphere
4 of the Alexandria free hostelry.
Z Other Incidents and Accidents.
: Mr. Thomas Combe, for years a well
3 known tailor of Alexandria, is lying criti
p cally i'll with consumption at his home OF
Z St. Asaph street. On Sunday he seemed
much better, and his friends ha'
strong hopes of his ultimate recovery, bn
= the attending physician says he cauuo
4 live; that death is only question of shor
S time.
s The alarm of fire yesterday evening wa
= caused by the burning of the chimney o
% Schuler's meat-shop on King street. Th
Z, fire started in the business centre of tn
4 city, but was promptly extinguishcd by tn
> fire engines.
3 An old citizen of Alexandria, Mr.. Danie
4 Macauley, died at his residence on Mort
Z Washington street last night, of pneumo
y MIA.
/, The schooners Charles Lewis and Lizzi
& Ragan arrived at the wharves Saturda.
evening and Sunday laden with oyster:
y The steamship Ann Eliza, of the Philadel
= phia line, came in this morning heavil
& freighted with general merchandise. Sew
q eral schooners are loading aud unloadin
, preparatory to sailing down the Potomac.
i Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge, of Ohio, an
Mrs. Buel, of New York, noted temperate
women, addressed large audience lai
night at the NJ. Z. Church on Washingto
street.
=, The noted free Gospel dispenser, of Wasl
Z ington, has been holding meetings on I'll
y street corners of Alexandria for sever
4s days. Gratuitous preaching and singin
y draws as well here as elsewhere.