Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-24
SEVERAL HILLTD.
a Terrible Collision on tue Norfolk
aud western.
Especial telegram tothe Dispatch

Especial telegram tOthe Dlspatch.l
LYNCHBrEG. Va. July &C. Another terri
hle railroad accident occurred about O'Clock
Sunday morning, eight miles above the city,
near Clay's Crossing. When the news OF the
accident hiSi reached here rumors Of sil KINDS
were aioat, aud your CORES p0ndeut was com
pcled 10 visit the scene before he could gain
a definite account OF the catastrophe.
The accident occurred above Glars siding,
iu.t where the Forest road crosses the rail
road track, aud the two trains presented an
almost unrecOgnzable mass Of broken tim
bers and crushed iron. Walter Harris, OF this
city. was engineer Of the material train which
left Forest and WAS coming towards Lynch
burg, and William Henry was engineer OF
thc freight train that was bound west lIar-
yi,'s engine Was running backwards. pulling
the material train, and the two engines came
together with an awful crash. Tue engine Of
fhe freight train struck the tender OF the ma.
tersl. splitting II almost In twain, and then
mounted on top Of the engine, gong its en-
tire length aud carrying tue smashed tender
with IT. crushing the under engine into an
sIm0St shspc,ess mass. The scenes which fol-
lowed the collision are said 10 beggar
description. The grOans OF the men
who were not instantly Killed, the kissing
steam from the demolished engines, and the
frightened cries Of the more fortunate OF the
crews who escaped. breaking the stiffness OF
fhe night IN The darkened forest Will never be
forgotten by those who live to-day 10 tell
Inc tlic. A soon As succor could be pro-
cured the work Of recovering the bodies OF
the unfortunate men was commenced. and
UP 90 q O'Clock last evening there had
teen five bodies taken from the wreck,
With three others IN sight uHder
thc d1jris, making the total number Of
Rllcd eight. Piles Of merchandise. dressed
timber, &C., with which the trains were
loaded. were piled along the sides OF the cut
in which The wreck occurred, and the re-
inaius Of the wrecked cars were also lying
uIong the track. some OF the latter looked
loniy Tic for kindling wood and II IL supposed
viii never be utilized for anything else.
Nine freight cars were completely demoi-
lshed IN the wreck.
aler advicts ibis morning state that two
other bodies were recovered last night ana
The remaining body would be taken out A.
carly a. possible to-day. The railroad com
pany a. soon as possible sent two wrecklng
trains TO the scene and did everything possible
for the wounded, and hsd the dead paeed IN
neat cofius and sent 10 this city. Hundreds
Of ladies aud gentlemen from this city visited
the scene In the eVpning, asd the expression
was general that only 10y miracle could any
one Of the crews % the colliding trains have
escaped, SO terrible and wholesale was The
wreck.
The list Of the killed - rs follows: Walter
Harris. Lynchburg; william Henry, Penn
Eylyania; james Donneliy. Roanoke; Ed
ward Walker lcolored), George Williams
(colortd), Grant Jackson (coloredA simon
Smith (colored), wAier-carrleT, Lyncbburg.
Several cOlored women, wives OF those
killed, were present at tie wreck, and The
woods res0Unded with their ptisble cries.
The remains Of some OF the uDfortunates
we're literally crushed aud ground TO pieces,
she different parts Of the bodies being picked
up 4 a different place and time. Parties
from The wreck late tais evening report tnal
two other bodies have been discovered. but
owing 20 the position they cannot be reach
cd yet. 80.
There Is 10 doubt that the responsibility
a shs accident rests on the train-dispslcher,
a. Engineer Hnrls's orders TO come to
Lynchburg were found In bis pocket; aud
% Is said also that the conductor OF The
freight train had bis orders. which were
ilst he was TO 20 through without regard
O. sny other train. There n great deal OF
feeling against the road for such wholesale
suugb,er. The whole matter Will he inyes-
ugsted. Railroad. Commissioner Hill IS on
Tie ground this time.