Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1886-01-19
peplorable Railroad Collision.

The vicinity of Millville on the B.
& o. R. r., in this cous4y, was the
scene of distressing casualty on
Thursday afternoon last, involving
the loss of three valuable lives, other
personal injuries, and the wrecking
of two engines and some six or eight
freight cars. From what we learn,
it seems that the first section of No.
446 mixed east-bound train, which
passes Charlestown at $3.50, p. NJ,
had Just rounded the curve at Mill
vile on very heavy descending
grade, when it came in sight, short
distance off, of an engine approach
ing the siding at that point from the
direction of Harper's Ferry. With
scarcely time for thought, there was
then no power on earth that could
prevent a collision. The mixed
train was under charge of conductor
Richard Donavin, with p. E. wager
engineer, Joseph Blssett fireman and
William Henry brakeman, and car
ried as passengers Messrs. Daniel
and James Rely, of Summit Point,
who were shipping stock by this
train. Upon the engine approaching
from the east (Which belonged to a
ballast train and had run down to
Harper's Ferry after coal and water,
expecting to make the siding at Mill
vile before the passage of the down
train) were William Fitzpatrick. Su-
pervisor of Road of the Valley Branch,
John Deck conductor, F. Kartz en-
gineman, Win. McAbee fireman, and
Thomas Crider brakeman: 70 save
themselves, the conductor, engineman
and fireman of the ballast engine
jumped off on the river side andes
capped. Brakeman Crider was almost
instantly killed, and Supervisor Fitz-
patrick had his legs mangled to such
extent that after lingering in perfect
consciousness all night, he died about
5 O'Clock on Friday morning. Doc
tors Starry and Richardson of this
place were sent for by special engine
during the night, to attend him. but
his condition was such that the best
skill could be of no avail
On the mixed train, fireman Bissctt
was caught and scalded so severely
that he died about midnight. The
remainder of the crew and passengers
were uninjurcd. Strange to say, both
engines remained on the track. They
were, however, pretty we'll wrecked,
as were also some six or eight cars,
mostly empty, of the mixed train.
Conductor Donavin. with great
presence of mind, Immediately upon
the occurrence of the collision jumped
from his train and ran back to signal
and stop the second section, thus pre-
venting what might otherwise have
been even a much more destructive
and appalling accident.
Of the victims of this disaster, Su-
pervisor Fitzpatrick was aged about
45 years and resided in Winchester,
where he leaves wife and six chill
dren; fireman Bissett was aged about
80 years, and resided in Sandy Hook;
brakeman Crider was aged about 21
or % years, and resided in Strasburg.
The two latter we did not know per-
sonally, but understand them to have
been faithful and efficient employees.
The former we have known for long
while, and we believe we can truly
assert that the B. & o. Railroad Com
pany had no truer or better man in
its service than William Fitzpatrick,
or one whose loss will be more deeply
deplored among the men who have
been under his immediate charge.