Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-29
THE sTAUNTON DISASTER.
Particulars Of the Runaway Train and
the Damage Done.


Yesterdays accident on the Chesapeake and
Ohio at Staunton was caused by brake rod
falling, throwing the ballast among the air
brake connections, rendering the brakes USE
less and causing the engineer to lose control OF
his train. The train was two hours late. About
8 o'clock It came whirling on at a speed of 20
miles an hour the engine having the appear
ance Of sheet Of fire. number of persons
were on the station platform and had barely
time to escape. As the train reached the pas
senger station the rear sleeper careened. strik-
ing the platform covering. tearing away the
iron posts and demolishing the whole platform
structure. 1t struck the eastern baggage house
fifty rods from the station, a new brick build
ing, crushing in its front and wreckng the
building. The rear sleeper then jumped
the track and turned over on Its side few
feet from the track, SCATTERING the car into
numberless pieces. There were a number of
passengers IN the sleeper. among them the
Pearl OF Pekin' troupe on their way from
CINCINNATI to Baltimore. The city fire alarm
was sounded; the ire companies responded in
stantly and went to work AT the wreck. assisted
by many citizens. to rescue the passengers from
their imprisonment.
One person was killed. Miss Myrtle Knox of
Kansas City, one of the opera troupe. She was
fearfuiiy mangled. One leg was cut off below
the knee and her left arm broken and right
shoulder dislocated. A piece of wood was
buried III her thigh, cutting an artery, causing
death from bleeding in few moments and be-
fore surgical aid could be summoned.
those known to have been injured are W. J.
kirkpatrick of New York, who has wounds in
the leg and head and who it is thought will re-
cover; l.. NJ. SlOman of Cincinnati, slightly in
lured; Edith Miller, New York. leg broken;
Edward Webb leg bruised; Edward Stevens,
shoulder sprained; Miss Bertha Fisher, concus-
sion OF the spine and confusion of the abdomen;
Lewis Harrison, scalp wound, and Miss Jane
Durham, sprain ed ankle. All of the injured
belong to the Pearl of Pekin" troupe except
MIR. Kirkpatrick.
There were six coaches, two Of which were
sleepers. 10 one was I'M ured except those in
the rear sleeper. The engine and other cars
rushed on for mile be fore the engineer ON an
up grade got control of the engine.
Miss Knox, the only one who was killed. was
a member of the chorus and joined the troupe
but a few months ago. She was a telegraph
operator at the Midland Hotel in Kansas CITY,
and until her connection with The Pearl OF
Pekln' troupe had never been outside of
Kansas City. She had pleasing soprano voice
and was beautiful woman of a purely blonde
type. She was great favorite with the COM
pany, and her death has made an impression
ON her companions that will not soon be for
gotten. Her sister. who is also a telegraph OPP
orator at the Midland Hotel, has been tele-
graphed for. In the wreck Miss Knox and Miss
Miller were the onl y ones who were wedged in
under the debris of splntered wood and glass
When Miss Knox was being removed she suf-
fered great agony, but made no complaint. her
only words being. Handle me gently, for
am hurt" When she was finally extricated she
breathed sigh Of relief, crying out, Thank
God" These were her last words, for almost
immediately she fell back and died. Miss
Miller, her companion, escaped with broke
leg. but ii is feared that she has sustained in
ternal injuries. Her leg was set, but Manager
Rice, as soon as he heard of her injury, has
tened with DR.. Biedler to the depot, desiring
to reach Stanton in order that the operation
might be performed carefully, but was unable
to get train during the day. Miss Fisher is
now thought to be more seriously injured than
at frs. supposed Her mother, who is travel
ing with her, is slightly hurt.