Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-08-26
A GI aphic Description Of ths Ter
ribls CoaIburg disaster.
FOUR MEN DASHED ToAwFUL DEATH.
Down the Mountain Incline in a Goa
Car at Lightning
Speed.
THE MINING STRIKE At CoALBUaG.
SnSeial 10 The ReciJ.s,

NulCu Will US VI iutcieot ~ thC hSuiSi L"
readers in this section of the State. Several
of the accounts published are incorrect,
especially y as to the number Of the cars, etc,
there Icing but two gondola cars loaded
with coal and on which were the unfortun-
ate victims of the disaster. The cars were
started down the grade, which is al some
points in the first three miles over one hun.
dred feet to the mile, IN charge of Conductor
D. B. Eperley, and under control Of the
brakes. 1t was soon discovered that some,
thing was wrong with the brakes, and the
speed of the train increased with fearful
rapidity, and before the ill-fated men were
aware Of their danger, the cars we're dsshing
with lightning speed down the mountain
side; the now terror stricken occupants
clipgiDg to the cars as they sped on to GER
tain death down the incline, and strange
10 relate, for nearly three miles
they kept the track, although
at every curve they expected to be dashed
10 death. The fortunate survivors Of this
thrilling ride have story which they can
relate with string interest to posterity.
Mr. Amos Mitchell, about 90 years OF age
ans the first who made the attempt TO le4p
rom the flying train, and when he struck
/ e rroupd his body bounded and rebound
a tur tixty feet, his head being crushed to
4, ms and his brains were strewn for some
! stance over the course. When his body had
b. uu6ed
The Sight Was One of Horror.
The force with which he struck the ground
WIS so great that his shoes and portion Of
rs clothing were torn from his person
ore cad feature in connection with W
MitchelIs death was the fact that he had
simpl, gone up to the mines on this oc-
ra,slon IN company with his friend Robert
hodson, of LeEisburg, who Was negotiating
with the owners of the mine for coal. Mr.
Hodson was one Of those who clung to the
Ill fated train until the car on which he
rode, left the track when he escaped with
serious bruises, but was able TO proceed TO
his home in charge ot physician, whom
Tie railroad officials sent with him. 1t
might be we'll to state in this connection
that the Kanawha Railroad Company s rep
resenta.iytI did all in their power
for the case of the victims OF the
disaster, which was one OF those unfortunate
occurrences for which no one in particular
vas 10 blame. After the fatal leap Of Mr..
Mitchell, as noted, the next one who jump
cd from the flying train was Superintendent
TohIman of The Coal Valley Coal Company
and when he struck the groand he rebound
"a iCr thirty feet across small branch where
be was found with left leg and right arm
broken, and shoulder crushed to
4 Mass OF Flesh and Bones,
and strange 10 say alive but died next day
af;er tie disaster. Col. Laton Oakford, OF
Scranton, Pa, and lately connected with
he wyoming Manufacturing Co., at Upper
Creek, was the next to make the leap a.
the car neared the platform in front Of the
companys store. Now comes what seems
to be sn incredible story, but the truth OF
the occurrence is vouched for by Major q
e. Shaver. chief clerk Of the Robinson Coal
Company here, and James Clstworthy, both
reliable gentlemen When Oakford sprang
from the car q woman who lived along side
cf the track and in full view OF Oskford
wben be struck the platform. states that he
fcll sidewise and his side coming in contact
with two-incb plank spiked on the eud OF
the platform with twenty-peunT spikes. This
plank, eight feet in leng b and twelve inches
Aide Was carried some distance With the
body, which when found was badly bruised,
and his side when it came in contact with
the plank was crushed in horrible man.
rer. The above gentleman found the plank
az d the lifeless remains in close proximit'
III each other, which goes to prove, as ur-
r, ascnsble as it may appear, that the force
with which Oskiord struck the plank was
sufficient to wrench il from is tasteniugs
and the mystery seems to be how the body
of an ordinary human being could resis! q
etock so powerful. The deceased was Of
tie phy s;qne and weighed about loO pounds
lis wife, who is nov in Scranton, Pa , lt
ssid 10 be suffering With nervous prostra'ion
and will probably not survive she shock 0
btr husbands uB,inely demise As the
Itsr car, with three remaining occupants
homas Peacock W. S Edwards, aud ID
3. Epuley, conductor of the traip, was
rounding sharp curve about three miles
from the starting point, Il left the track aod
IAN for half q mile on the ties and upset
hurlipg the men down the bank, followed
by the wrecked car and its contents, par
,rsllS buryirg the men beneath the wreck
fortunately for Edwards, be struck niry
spot in the Ffo1ld and was only slightly in
j'ued, sud slncsi instantly rsgsined bis feet
nd assisted CoL6u. tor Epaley TO sxtricate
himself from The wreck, and who vas found
20 have escaped with ssyeTe cuts aud
t,u'ses, especially on his right srm. But poor
Peacock Jared worse, aud was found TO be
ta's y injured.
A Little Samaritan.
While the wounded man lay in the open
sir waiting for aid to csrry him 10 house
rear by, little girl Of tender years ap-
peared on the scence, aad in her childish
hesrt seemed 10 have strong desire 10 do
something for the suffering msu. After
procuring for bin drink Of water. the only
reauest he ever made, the tender Young
heroine Of Cur sketch proceeded 20 break Oh
.one branches Of young pines close By and
placed them 40 as to shield the face OF the
dying man from the scorching rsys Of the
August SUD, which we're falling with blini-
ing effect in the eyes Of the sufferer. This
orching act of the pure young samaritan
made such an impression upon the wiz.
resses that the recollection Of the scene Will
never be ehsced from their memories Pea
cock was carried to . vacant shsnty. where
IN less than three hours death relieved his
sgonies. Physicians we're present but could
rot save his life. Without disparsgeueot
TO the merits Of the other victims Of the
accident, his death is more generally re-
GREETED than that Of the others His great
no-al and social worth in the counu-
ni;y vss incslcnlsbls, and his example
night be followed BY others with profit and
credit to themselves, and for the good Of
the community.
The maneled and liseless remains Of Jos
eph Hall, q brother in-lsv Of Thos Peacock,
we're found about half mils below the
wreck ofthe 6rst car, aud il Is not known
whether HsIl Jumped or fell from the car in