Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-10-26
NARROW ESCAPE.
THE ACCIDENT TO THE SPECIAL TRAIN OF
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
A Misunderstanding Of Orders Creates Some Damage
and Considerable Confusion at MOundsvllls'
The Passengers All Escape Uninlured.

The special train bearing Governor Hill
and party, including number OF Wheei-
ing Democrats, among them being Chair-
man T. S. Riley, Thomas NJ. Darrah'
Charles H. fancy, Ex-Sheriff W. c. Hand
Ian. Col Robert White, and others as well,
and Captain Robert McEldowney, Hon. D.
T McGray, and other Democrats from
various points in the State, met with an
accident of very serious nature az
Moundsville, shortly before eight O'clock
which resulted in the partial wrecking
of two engines, third being considerably
damaged, the wounding of one man, En-
gineer Chap. Fleming, and bad scare to
large number Of people on three trains In
yolyed in the accident. That more serious
results did not follow, is largely due to the
watchfulness Of Engineer Lee Wells, of the
special. who reversed his engine just in the
nick of time.
The orders for the special train contem-
plated its taking a siding at Moundsvllie 10
| allow the West-bOund limited vestlbule
train No. TO pass. Before the speclal
could make the switch, and while IL was
on the main track near the station build
ing. with the Wheeling accommodation
standing immediately in its rear, II was
run into by No. {, which came whlrllng
out from beneath the bridge about nun
! dred and fifty yards east OF the station AT
high rate of speed. Owing to some ms
understanding of orders, or perhaps be-
cause Engineer Fleming, of the vestiouled
/ . .falr no
ing on the side track, with the main track
clear. No. : came into town at its usual
high rate of speed, and, as there is curve
a short distance east of the station, right ut
the bridge Engineer Fleming could not
Get a view Of the track at the point where
the special and accommodation were stand
ing until he was almost upon them.
Engineer Wells. of the special,
saw the vestibuled train as 1t
emerged from beneath the bridge, and re
versing his engine he caught the whistle
cord. and woke the echoes with signal OF
alarm. As the whistle sounded, Engineer
Fleming saw the imminent danger, and re-
versed his engine. at the same time throw
ING on the air brakes. He was powerless
10 check the momentum of his train, how
ever and the engine of No. dashed into
the engine Of the special with terrible
crash. driving the special back onto the
accommodation. in the rear and partially
wrecking the two engines which came in
contact, the engine Of the special being so
badly damaged as 20 be unfit for further
immediate use, while the engine No. : was
not left in much better condition. Seeing
tina. collision was inevitable, Engineer
Fleming. of the vestibulcd train, jumped
from his cab, and sustained painful injuries
20 his back and knee
None Of the other trainmen, nor the pas
sengers were hurt. although many were
thrown about in a lively manner by the
force Of the collision. \ good many OF
those IN the party on the special were out
ON the track when the collision occurred
Among them was Chairman 4. =. Riley,
who was caught between the rails between
the special and the Wheeling accommoda-
ton. and had rather "a close call from being
crushed 60 death. However, he made good
his escape by "a rapid flank movement
Asa matter OF course. the accident Occa-
stoned a great amount of excitement among
the crowd about the depot. and when the
news reached this city. as Il did in short
time. there were many exaggerated stories
in circulation. and much anxiety was shown
90 get 40 the facts.
As soon as possible after the accident,
the special was backed up and new en-
zine procured but 10 was about two hours
behind time when the train pulled out OF
matter of course, the programme of
speeches arranged for the cities and towns
along the road was seriously disarranged