Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-04-05
WRECK ON THE1. ".

OF u teFFlUit WRECK Oh the w lDcHeS.
ter Extension of the G. V. II. r. The
scene of the accident is about IL
miles from town, few hundred
yards South from the Gerardstown
road crossing. Hundreds of people
poured out and in all afternoon, on
foot and in vehicles, to view the
wreck.
The engine of the freight train,
with passenger car attached, pass
ing here about dinner, jumped the
track just South of the Gerardstown
road, in a light cut. 1t ran on the
ties for about twenty feet, then plow-
ed into the ground, piIng the freight
cars up on the left side going South,
and turning the engine completely
around, with the headlight towards
Martinsburg, half buried itself in
the ground on its side, on the right
side of the road. The cab was de-
molished, trucks and connections
Groken off, and the steam escape
blown out, the escaping steam tear
ing large hole in the ground. 1t
was an ugly sight. The conductor
was riding on the engine. and he
with the engineer were pinned
down near the mouth of the furnace.
They were rescued as quickly as
possible. Doctors having been sent
for, Drs, McSherry, Morrison and
Myers were soon rendering all the
relief that skill could avail. The
men were brought to the cOmpany'S
building on West King Street. and
their injuries attended to.
They were badly burned and scald.
ed, but neither of them necessarily
fatal unless something unforeseen
should follow.
Tue Engineer, ThoS. Il. Lightcap,
of Hagerstown, had his foot broken
and was badly scalded ard burned.
Conductor Mitchie, of Chambers.
burg, had his leg broken IN two
places, his face and head cut, and
badly scalded. The fireman, Albert
johnson, of Hagerstown, had his left
arm broken. A physician from Hag-
erStown was also in attendance upon
the injured. Ne one else was hurt.
The passenger car and a freight were
brought to town and from so to 100
men at once put to work repairing the
track, and clearing away the wreck.
The B. " o. Helper and Rigger with
crew were kindly put at the service
of the G. v, and with its own equip
ment and force soon had things in
shape again. The engine is dis
mantled, and one freight car badly
used up.
A telegraph operator with battery
was on the ground, and reports and
orders were sent along the Iiue. The
cause of the engine jumping the
track is attributed by some to high
rate of speed +; others say the track
spread, but where the engine left the
track there is no Indication of any
cause.
The track is new and well ballast
ed. lal1 with heavy steel rails.
Men, woman aud children nocked
to the scene.
How the men escaped instant
death is a mystery. The soft ground
and absence of stone were favorable
circumstances. Bruises, broken
bones and scalded flesh are bad
enough, but If their lives are saved,
1t might have teen worse.
The engine was used as a helper
in the yards at Hagerstown, and
had no pony wheels in front as most
freight and passenger engines have.
The train was going mp slight
grade at the time, and to these com
bination of circumstances is attribut,
ed its action IN jumping the track.
a dispatch from Hagerstown says: |
The two men, Thomas Lightcap,
the engineer, and William Mickey,
the conductor, were imprisoned un-
der the engine for half hour before
assistance came from MartinSburg.
While under the train they were
only kept from being roasted alive
by the brakemen throwing buckets,
full of water upon them. When
rescued, Lightcap'S clothes were al.
most consumed, and the right side
of his body and face were fearfully
burned. Besides, he sustained a
dislocation of his ankles. Conductor
Mickey was also badly burned, and
in addition had one of his legs and
arms broken in several places and
his head cut. Albert johnson. the
fireman, had his head cut and his
arm broken. The cab was entirely
consumed. Lightcap and johnson
were brought to their homes in this
place this evening, while Mickey
was taken to Chambersburg, where
he resides.