Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-10
A BRAKEMAN KILLED
WILLIAM 3. FARLEY, OF MANCHESTER,
LOSES HIS LIFE ON THE RAIL.
His Death Results from an Accident Near
Danville and Another Employee
is Injured.

The following special telegram from Dan
Vile was received at this Office last night:
There was fatal and somewhat curl
ous accident on the Richmond and Dan
vile railroad this morning about l O'Clock.
The first section of Freight Train No. 10
was going north and was made up OF ar
brake cars and cars without alr-brakes:
When the train was between Sutherlin and
Barksdale il broke up in two places. The
air-brake cars stopped and the cars IN the
rear ran into them. Several cars were
smashed up and Brakeman Farley, OF Man
chester. had his leg so badly crushed that
he died to-day from his injuries. The body
will be sent 10 his home tonight.
Brakeman Owens was also injured about
the head. but not seriously. He is cared
for here at the Home for the Sick.
The south-bound passenger train was
delayed few hours by the wreck
HOW IT OCCURRED.
Although the accident occurred soon
after midnight very little was heard of it
in Richmond until late yesterday after
noon. and then the information obtainable
was very meagre Superintendent Ryder,
of the Danvilie road, being further south
the official reports were first sent to him,
and then forwarded 10 his Office IN this city.
A Dispatch reporter called at the Viz
ginia-Street depot late in the afternoon
and was given all of the facts then in the
possession Of the officials present. From
what could be learned il appears that when
the train was coming down heavy grade.
or about 10 start down grade, some OF the
rear cars became detached. The engineer
was signalled and opened the throttle OF
his engine so as to increase his speed ana
keep out of the way Of the detached cars,
and thus avert a smash-up. The weight OF
the heavly loaded train caused one OF the
couplings in the front section 20 break
when the extra pressure was put on. and
the air-brake cars being the ones left in the
middle the brakes became effective and
stopped the cars. When those from the
rear came up with those standing there
was naturally heavy jar, and It was here
that the two brakemen were hurt.
HORRIBLE SIGHT.
Mr. Samuel Z. Owens was fortunate
enough to escape serious, INJURY ana was was
able 10 resume his duties back 10 Danyille
and send a telegram from the railroad au-
thorites.
His companion was not so lucky. His
legs below the lower thigh were caught
either between the cars or on the rail and
terribly manCled. Some of the cars had to
be moved before he could be taken out,
and the sight presented Is described as be
ing horrifying Mr. Farley's body was not
at all hurt so far rs could be discerned.
BODY TO BIZ BROUGHT DOWN.
The sad intelligence cast a gloom over
the operatives of the railroad, all of whom
knew and liked the deceased. Several of
his friends. among them Messrs. Willie
Crooks and Charlie Walker, went up on the
o'clock train yesterday afternoon and
will bring the remains down on the
train which il due here about D
o'clock this morning. The arrange
ments for the burial had not been perfect
ed AT a late hour last night The remains
Will probably be carried from the depot 10
the residence Of Nr. William Crooks. his
hrother-in-law. on Ninth street between
Stockton and Everett Manchester.
PERSONAL.
William B. Farley was just twenty-one
years old and was an exemplary young
man. Sober and industrious. he made Il
faithful emplOyc Of the railroad company
and by his upright conduct he won the re-
spect and esteem of all with whom he was
associated. He and his mother, who re-
Gently moved to Manchester from Amelia
county. resided with Alr. Crooks. who
married a younger sister of the deceased,
who leaves two sisters and one brother.
Mr.. Juniu. Cook was conductor and Mr..
David Wiltshire engineer on the tram 20
which the accident happened aud It was
reported in Manchester that the former
was hurt. but the railroad. officials said this
was mistake.
THE DAMAGE.
In the wreck that resulted from the ac-
cident four cars were almost totally de
stroved They were loaded with cotton.
and many of the bales were broken. but
from this source the loss will be slight rs
most Of the cotton will be saved.