Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-12-03
A FRIenTFUL COLLISION
On the Pittsburg Division of the
B. & O.
TWO FREIGHT TRAINS WRECKED.
The Smash,Up Complete 1.-Two Men
Killed and Three Others IOjured.--
The Track BIockaded.

One of the most disastrous accidents
ever recorded in the history of the Pitts
burg division of the B4ltimore i Ohio rail
road, occurred yesterday afternoon about
o'clock, near Little Washington, two mer
being killed aud two others badly wounded
The scene of the accident was in a deep
cut near the property of Me- Workman
half mile eas. Of Washington, and the
nature OF the wreck was
COLLISION
between through freight train No. 80 and
local freight No &c, west bound from Pitts,
burg. The through freight left this city
about noon, with Engineer James Morris
at the throttle, and was to psss No. &c at
Little Washington. Arriving there the
signals showed the track to be clear,
and the train flew on eastward, rapidly in.
creasing its speed as it
left the town behind it. Just after pass.
ing through the Brady tunnel, and when
in the cut referred to above, the west
bound train was encountered. Both were
under rapid headway, and they came to.
gether with a terrible crash. In the cab
Of engine No. 300, drawing the through
train, were FIVE men, Conductor John
Ryder, Engineer James Morris Fireman
Front Brakeman Snyder, and Engineer
Frank Dean, who had just been transferred
from the Parkersburg branch, and was
making trip over the line with q view of
learning it.
Rider caught a glimpse Of the local
train jast before the engines struck, and
sprang from his cab, on the left side,
hoping to save his life. His calculation
failed, and he was thrown under the rapid.
" moving wheels. Both legs were severed
from his body below the knees, and his
skull was crushed 30 that the brains oozed
out in a sickenipg manner.
DEATH RESULTED INSTANTLY.
Mr. Ryder resided in Little Washington,
on Wsyde Avenue, and leaves wife and
several children. At one time be was As
sistant Supervisor Of trains on the Pitts.
burg Division.
Brakeman Snyder held on to the cab
and was pinned down by fragments Of the
wreck and scalded to death, dying in hor-
rible agony. he was resident Of Grafton,
where he leaves wife and family. His
father is On engineer on the Third Divis.
ion.
Frank Dean, the extra engineer. was
thrown from the cab when the engines
struck, but escaped serious injury, his
greatest hurt being on bis back. he is
well known among railroad men in this
city and Parkersburg.
Engineer James Morris leaped from the
cab Just after Ryder, breaking one Of his
legs and cutting his head in terrible
manner.
Brakeman Front escaped with slight
wounds.
The engineer aud fireman of the local
freight leaped from the cab and fortunately
escaped with comparatively slight bruises'
THE SCENE OF THE WRECK
presented very chaotic appearance. The
fender of each engine was forced through
the cab by the shock, and the cars were
reared upon one another in wild confusion
The track was blocked for nearly three
hours, but last evening trains were run
piDg as usual.
Hundreds Of citizens of Little Washing
ton hocked to the scene of the accident
and a crowd was congregated at the spo
until dark. The cause of the acciden
seems to rest on the shoulders Of the trair
dispatcher at Pittsburg, although some
railroad men blame Engineer Morris fol
not laying over at Washington.