Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-10-21

and mangled and the back OF the head
and foi ehead were so badly fractured that
the brain aud pieces of the skull were
strewn for some distance along the track
The news of the accident spread rapidly
aud caused the most painful feeling Of
sadness and the expression of the deepest
sympathy for tie terribly stri cken wife
and children. Mr.. Few, was an indus
trious, quiet citizen, upright in all things,
and was for many years a CONSTANT
member of the Pre- sbyterisn church. he
was a dev oted husband and father, and
this terrible blow falls upon his family
with crushing force. His age was GO
years.
Acting coroner Capt. J. II. Grabill.
caused to be summoned the following
jury of inquest L. J. Supinger, c. W.
Fravel, VI. Bowman, W. N. Grabill, Jacob
Keller and R. F. Leetch, who, after view
ing the body, adjourned to the Court
House where the following evidence was
heard
John Clover: l beard train coming.
Saw Mr.. Few trying to get his COW across
the track. He got the COW across and
then started to cross himself. When near
" across be seemed to get his foot caught
and the train struck him. The train did
not stop, or check up. did not hear
train whistle.
Jacob Turner: Had been walking with
and talking to Mr.. Few not over one
minute before the accident happened. l
went into my gate just as he was going
up the hill. The whistle blew just as he
was trying to rush bis COW across. l did
not see train strike him.
Isaac Lewis: saw the accident. 1
was coming from the Foundry, heard the
whistle and looked IN that direction. Saw
Mr. Few drying his COW. He had gotten
her across the track. Was driving fast.
thought he became excited. The train
was then very close, and he was hurrying
across. He was about centre of track
when struck. / thought he was in stoop-
ing position when train struck him. I
thought it carried him some distance and
then dragged him under it. l heard no
whistle. Train was running fast, prob
ably Is or IS miles an hour, but can't say
exactly as to speed per hour, but know
they we're running at a rapid speed. If
train had been running 5 or miles an
hour 1 think be could have gotten across.
Miss Annie Lewis testified that the
train was running much faster than usual.
w. S Powers testified that he was
conductor of train 443. Knew nothing
of the Killing at the time. Did not see
anything of it. His train was probably
running 10 or - miles an hour. Has not
received any orders since the Fair in
regard to speed OF train through corpora
ton. During the fair they were ordered
to run through town at from to 6 miles
an hour. Don't remember what time
we left Strasburg. Reached Woodstock
at 7 As, A, ". Had six loaded cars and
a passenger coach.
Engineer S. E. Kenny testified: Did
not see the man before he was struck.
Saw the COW, but as she left the track.
did not whistle for her. Blew for brakes
between the crossing and station. Whis-
tied also about 100 yards from crossing.
When fireman called that we had struck
q man, l misunderstood him, and said.
ono, there she is" pointing to the COW.
Was running about 10 miles an hour
Have received no orders in regard TO speed
running through corporations since the
fair. Left Strasburg junction at 7.05.
a. m. =
R. B. Donovan testified: Am fireman on
train 449. Commenced ringing bell on
engine 20 or 80 yards from crossing. Saw
this old gentleman running in sort of tret.
He seemed to stop on the crossing. and as
he stopped I called to the engineer;
"There, You have killed or struck man."
mo-" he said, "there she goes now" point
ing to the cow He then blew for brakes
then jumped off at the switch and
started back, saying TO the train men, as
I passed them. 1--WE have killed or struck
a man." Don't know how fast we were
running.
s. y. Shelter and NJ. Bowers. brakemen
of the train, both testified that they knew
nothing of the accident at the time.
Several other persons also took the
witness stand, but theft testimony was
of no importance.
Mr.. Joseph NJ. Bauserman, Mayor of
Woodstock. was then sworn, and produced
the Ordinance Book of the Corporation
and read to the jury Ordinance ~, Sec
tion l, as follows: mo engine, train,
truck or car shall be run. or propelled on
any railroad within this town at greater
rate of speed than SIX miles an hour, and
the bell attached to the engine shall be
rung during the whole time that such
enpine is in motion within the city"
The jury then retired to their room,
and upon their return handed in the
following verdict: We, the jury sum-
moned to decide the cause OF the death of
VIM. Fl. Few, find that the said VIM. H.
Few came to his death by being struck
by the engine of train No. 443 within the
corporate limits of Woodstock, Va, said
train at time of the death of said VIM. II.
Few, being run at an unlawful rate OF
speed, as testified before this jury.
r. L. LERTCH, Foreman.