Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-12
INTO A STREAM.
SERIOUS AccrDxHr on THE coAsr-LIHH
RAILROAD.
A Train Plungss into Swollen Stream
Two Train.Hands nissing-A
Wreck, &c,


PETERSBURG, August III, 1886.
A serious accident, resulting in the
wreck Of freight train and loss Of life,
occurred at late hour las. night on
the Petersburg and Weldon division OF
the Atlantic Coast.L Line railroad BE-
tween Jarratt's and Belfield station.
Very heavy rains had fallen all through
that section during the day, and the
streams had become greatly swollen In
consequence, causing, IS has since been
learned, much damage to the bridges.
The iron bridge over Otter-DAm
creek, between the above two
stations. was one Of the struc-
lures that Was injured and weak
eDed by the frcshet. The bridge was
about twenty-five or thirty feet In
length, resting upon strong stone aout-
ments, and was regarded as safe from
the reach of the waters. The freight
train coming north from Weldon reached
Otter-Dam creek between 10 and III
o'clock, and the engine, followed By 3
number Of cars, plunged down into the
swollen stream, the cars piliog one
upon another. The full particulars OF
the disaster were not obtainable at the
time this letter is written. A relief
train with large force was sent out to
the spot this morning, with the view OF
repairing damages as quickly as posi-
bic and restoring travel.
The engineer in charge OF the train,
Mr.. William T. Wood, is reported to
have been very seriously injured. lie
is q resident Of Petersburg. married
man, and has been faithful officer OF
the company. He will be brought to
bis home.
The colored fireman, Anderson Har-
rell, and colored brakeman named
Charles Jones are missing, and it is
supposed that they were killed or
drowned.
All the bridges on this road are iron
structures. 1t is said that the bridge
over the Nottowsy river WAS pushed
out of line by the force Of the current.
OF course no trains have been passing
to-day. Until the damage can be re-
paired transfers will have to be made
to the trains on either side.
1t is reported that the rain was the
heaviest ever known in so short period
in that section, and many believe that
in the vicinity Of 0tter-Dam swamp il
pntook Of the nature Of wsterspout.
The track Of the Atlantic and Danville
railroad where il crosses this creek was
submerged for several hundred yards
and much damaged.
Engineer Wood did not discover the
danger ahead Of him until too late to
stop the train. He endesvored to save
himself by jumping, and to this is due
the fact that his life was not lost. News
of the accident did not reach the near
est stations for some time, and as soon
as possible relief parties were organ
lied to go to the scene. Engineer Wood
vas found lying upon one Of the cars
down the stream, where his cries a.
tracted attention. Section-Msster Tuns-
tall swan to him and rescued him. The
bodies Of the two missing men have not
yet been found.
The tender fell upon the engine, and
eight freight-cars rolled over them into
the creek.
1t is also reported that the bridge
over Stony creek was slightly swerved
from its line, but SO slightly as to be
easily rectifed.
In Prince George county considerable
dsmsge was done to the cotton aHd the
peanut crops.
Reports from Sussex, Greensville, and
Prince George represent the rains as
upprecedentedly heavy. A trestle-
bridge on the Norfolk and Western
railroad near Ivor was damaged, and
q train bringing up en- excursion party
narrowly escaped accident. The en-
gineer, on nearing the trestle, discov-
cred the danger too late to stop, and
rushed his train safely across. A slow
passage might have proved fatal.
Captain Taylor, Of the wrecked
freight train al Otter-Dam creek, es-
capped injury, as did also one of his
brakemen, and they were thus enabled
10 20 TO the stations for relief.
Mr.. Peter F. Cogbill has been re-
appointed collector Of customs for this
district. ROBIN ADAIR.