Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-23
The Virginia Midland Disaster.


The reports that have been published Of the
train-wreck near Clifton Station, on the Midland
road, last Saturday evening, having been inden-
nite and In several respects Incorrect viii give
some Of the particulars OF the disaster. The road
from Fairfax to Clifton is composed OF series OF
short curves which were made when the road was
FIRST built to avoid expenses OF grading and cut
ting The train was some eight or ten minutes be-
hind time, and was evidently running fast 10
make I'D the loss The rate was estimated by
expert travellers at from 40 10 40 miles per hour
When passing round one OF these curves, near
Pope's Head Greek, the engine suddenly left the
track and plunged down an emDankment on the
outer side OF the curve. The tender went some
distance beyond, the baggage and express car fol-
lowed and were turned over parity IN the run
The smoking car, In which were number OF
ladies', owing TO the main car being crowded, fol-
lowed the baggage car, but was overturned before
striking the express and baggage car. The rear
OF the smoker was thrown farther from the track
followed, and plunging down the bank turned
partly on its side and struck the end OF the smok
Ing car at nearly right angles. demolishing the
front OF the car and especially on the lower SIDE
The front Of the car Was Instantly shattered the
fragments flying over the car, but chiefly above
cooler In the rear OF the car was
thrown half way to the front end
Tue coaches ran about 100 feet on the ties before
Jumping down the embankment, which enabled
most Of the passengers to jump from their seats,
and, holding TO the railing. thus prevented more
serious injuries. just as me collision occurred In
this car tine steam from the engine which lay
right beside and partly under this coach. was
forced into the car, adding TO the CONSERVATION as
well as the d NIGER several OF the passengers
were burned about the feet and ankles, and all
were drenched with steam and mud. The passen-
gers all escaped through the windows on the
from being hurried from the windows head fore
most to make room Tor tnoSe behind. Among the
passengers from this CITY were Prot w; D. Cabeli.
Mr. NJ j. Wine, slight injuries In the side; Miss
Josephine Campbell and Mr.. Hantzman uninJured
mead In jumping from the train. A colored min
lister from Washington had his lips cut
through and a severe bruise On the eye.
The accident occurred about ten minutes Of 2.
messenger was sent to Crofton, miles distant,
for a freight train on the siding TO come TO the
wreck. II arrived about s;3O, ana tooA the pas
senvers with the dead and wounded, 10 Clifton
Station, Requests were made that the train run
on to Manassas, 5 miles farther, where accommo-
was refused upon the promise that the passenger
train. then at Manassas. would soon run down and
take them on 70 Manassas we reached Clifton
ABOUT 10 O'Clock, and obtained what shelter could
he sfYorded In the small station, the store ana a
hosrlling.houSe. Not one-han the passengers
could get under Ins shelter whilst no phys
few citizens did what they could Tor the wounded.
About IL O'Clock q wreck1ng-train came down from
snnerintendent, with about 100 men 70 ssslst in
clearing the wreck. Several OF the wounded men
begged 70 be sent on 70 Manassas Mana where they
Wers informed that the train then there was sent
TO clear the track and could not attend TO the
Wounded. but that the passenger train would soon
follow. and take them on 70 Manassas. The weary
hours OF the night wore on, and the Passengers
had Just resigned themselves 70 their fate for the
nieht when The passenger train arrived about
O'CLOCK having lain at Manassas for six hours,
whilst the passengers. with the wounded, were
wing at Clifton, practically without aid. The
train then ran on TO the wreck, and after trans
ferring the passengers from the train leaving here
A. III 8. m, went sOuthward. arriving at Manassas
about $3.50 q. m. The wreckng train brought
doWn a lunch basket for the passengers about IL
O'Clock. whether this was sent at the instance OF
the railroad company or through the care OF the
0entlemanly hotel keeper could not be learned.
Euch censure was manifested against the railroad
company that train was sent tor their reliel
cent 10 take tlem TO the little station At Clifton,
ma mat they received no care, with the single
exception named, for eigM hoGrs after the wreck
occurred train could have reached the wreck
efther from Alexandria or Manassas within an
hour or two AFTER the catastrophe, and have taken
the Messengers and the wounded 70 some town
Wnere they might have obtained food ana shelter
and medical attendance.
The engineer. Mr.. Handsman. was not found
dead on the engine a. has been stated, but was
found on the bank, just above where the passenger
Coach was overturned Hewas laid on the road
bed, where AFTER intense suffering be died In about
halt IN hour. PAsNaEh