Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-03-11
ColIision at RockyiIle-A railroad

'ANS PioSSi iceuitihS iu INC usAtn Oh TWO
men-Fireman c. E. Buckalew and Brake.
man ]. H. Teeters of freight train 493 from
Martinsburg bound for Washington.
The collision took place at point about
one thousand yards from Rockville station,
where the single track from Kensington
rams int the double track to the West.
The Chicago limited left Washington at
S'l5 and had the right of-way. 1t was run
ming at the rate Of forty miles miles an hour
when the freight train ran into it. Engineer
G. B. Humphrey of the freight had instruc.
tons to switch off at Rockville on the south
track and allow the limited to pass. He had
pulled on the switch and was slowing up
when the injector check broke and filled
his face with smoke, binding him for
moment 1t was an awful msment, for in
that brief space of time the freight had run
few feet on the single track and the limited
coming at top speed struck it, the two en-
gines locked and held the passenger engine
on the track. Had net this occurred
the engine of the limited would have been
thrown down the embankment and took
the cars along with probable serious results.
When the engineer Of the freight saw the
danger he jumped and called to the fireman
to follow. The latter, however, was caught
in the jam and literally roasted to death.
The brakeman slipped between the cars and
was covered with burning coal and shared
a like fate
In an hour hundreds of willing hands
had collected about the wreck. The scene
was frightful one. In the tender of the
freight, standing erect between conglOme.
rated mass of machinery, was the fireman
One leg was crushed off and an arm was
missing. The face was cooked aud big
pieces of flesh hung down on his chest,
while the hair was clotted with blood. 1t
was about 2 o'clock before he was ex.
tricated. The other body was found shortly
afterwards, 1t was frightfully mangled and
cooked. A couple of stretchers were brought
and the bodies transferred to the little tee-
graph office on the track, Coroner Morgan
summoned jury to pass upon the case.
The first witness called was the engineer,
q. b. Humphrey of the freight He testi-
fled to being on the south track waiting for
the express. His train passed Rockville
station going at the rate of three miles an
hour, and as he slowed up the injector check
blew off and the smoke from the escaping
steam blinded him. He concluded to go
| forward and fix the check and reached
for his lantern. He heard the express blow
at Halpin and thought his train had stopped,
for he felt no motion. Looking up he saw
the headlight of the express, and realizing
his position jumped. The freight was only
few feet on the main track and the express
struck it in a glancing manner.
Conductor Henry Long and Engineer
Oscar Peters of the express also testified,
but their testimony threw no light upon the
accident.
After considering for u few moments
verdict was found to the effect that the men
met their death by an unavoidable accident
The bodies were then removed to the un
dertaker's and later sent to their homes.
Fireman Buckalew lived at Terra Alta, was
unmarried Brakeman Teeters lived with
his wife and three children at Mlrtinsburg
The freight train was made up of cars
laden with coal, steel rails, and cattle The
car of rails was Immediately in the rear of
the cattle car, and when the crash came
jammed through the latter and killed four.
teen fine steers When the car was cut open
| five were alive.
The engine and baggage car of the ex
press train was badly damaged, but the
passenger coaches were uninjured.
Death OF Mrs. EdmonstOn - Mrs
Juliana Edmonston, wife Of Mr.. E. o. Ell.
monston and third daughter of the late
Samuel G. Veirs, died at her late residence,
near this town, on Tuesday afternoon last
after painful but short illness, in the 59th
year Of her age.
Mrs. Edmonston was IA Jst estimable
lady, an affectienate wife and a kind and
devoted mother. Thoroughly domestic in
her disposition and habits, deeply interested
in every thing that W tuld render her home
bright and happy, she seldom mn5Iel or
was seen in the social walks Of ife-this,
however, did not detract from til ,se quiet
| virtues Of mind and heart which she pos.
sessed to great degree and which command
the admiration Of all who knew her.
Mrs. Edmonston leaves husband, four
children and II large circle OF relatives to
mourn over their loss. Her death is all the
more sad because OF the numbsr of deaths
in the family circle OF her childhood within
the space of year We feel that the be-
reaved family she leaves behind has the
sympathy of the entire community.
Darnes town District Items.
Mr. Brook Vinsoa, who has been sick for
some Ii me, Is able to be about again.
Mr. A. II. Aisquith, Jr, had his hand
badly hurt by horse few days since.
Mrs. Alex. Gassaway has returned from
Lynchburg, where she spent several weeks
with friends.
Mr.. Amos West had u fine horse badly
kicked one day last week
Mr. Philip Reid is preparing to build
commodious dwelling on his lot in this town.
Miss Willie Peter is spending some time
in Baltimore.
The Chidrens Mission Band will meet
in the Presbyterian church, this place, next
Sunday evening at 3 o'clock.