Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-06-23
CONDUCTOR KILLED.
DEcAPTTATloN OF CAPTAIN ARTHUR
c. SMITH.
Uorrif,ine Accident Last Night I'm the
Richmond and Allegheny Rail-
road Yard.

Captain Arthur G. Smith was instantly
killed and his body mangled i'll horrible
manner in the yard of the Richmond aud
Allegheny railroad shortly before 10 O'Clock
last night
HOW 1T OCCURRED.
Captain Smith WAS the conductor on the
night-shifter and his crew consisted OF
three colored brakemen.
The vard-engine was shifting some freight
cara back toward Ninth street, and the I'M
fortunate man attempted to remove cou-
Dlinc-pin 80 that two cars might be lOosened
which he wanted 10 run back on the
track nearly to Ninth street. lie sue
ceeded in removing the coupling
but it cost him his llfc. The engine
was coming back quite rapidly, ana some
how Captain Smith was caught between
the cars. He WAS dragged with his body
partly on a rail and partly between the
tracks a distance of thirtv-siX feet. The
engine then moved forward again with
the attached cars. while the two cars winch
were loosened ran down upon the track
several yards, and the brakes were applied
10y John Johnson (colored).
THE MANGLED BODY.
When the colored brakeman went back
up the track TO the portion OF the tram
that had moved forward he found Captain
Smiths body, the head and arms complete
ly severed. lying nearly IN front OF the pas
Scnger-shed. The dead mans hat, lantern,
and notebook were found nearly under the
walkway which leads over the track from
Eighth street toward the Union depot.
BIG CROWD.
The news Of the accident spread rapidly
and large crowd soon gathered around to
view the remains. and it was with good
deal of trouble that four or FIVE police ON
GERS could keep the people from tramplinS
upon the body in the darkness.
TIE CORONER.
Coroner Taylor was notified and came
down and made a careful survey OF the
surroundings and heard the statements OF
several employees Of the road. After view
inc the body he decided an inquest I'M
necessary and turned the remains over TO
the authorities of the road, who sent Tor
an undertaken and had them prepared for
burial before being sent 10 the family oil
deCC aSed.
HIS DUTY.
II does not seem that it is incumbent
upon the conductor 10 aid IN coupling or
uncoupIng the ears. but Captain Smlth
voluntarily helped the brakemen III tins
work.
THE DECEASED.
The deceased was about thirty years Of
ace. and had only been on the Richmond
and Allegheny road about three weeks.
He came here from Danville, where be had
for some time been yard-conductor on the
virginia Midland road. He was for several
wears connected with the Chesapeake and
Ohio road. and at one time had charge OF
the shifting train on the yard at Newport
News.
THE FAMILY.
Deceased was a son Of DR.. &. Smith.
the dentist. at the southwest corner Of
Fifth and Broad streets. The family Is
from Louisa county. where they have a
large connection, and are people of good
standing.
Captain Smith married a Miss Wright, of
Louisa. and the widow is a sister Of Train
Dispatcher WI yht, Of the Richmond and
Allegheny road It this place.
Captain Smith, with his wife and two
children. resided with his father.
Deceased is well spoken Of by those who
knew him. He was regarded rs KIND
hearted and good man and had made many
friends here.
THIS YARD.
The ward where Captain Smith lost his
life is noted for the many serious accidents
that have occurred there. Several railroad
employees have been killed near the same
cOOt.