The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-10-21

that. Gompnred my orders Win the
engineers, and we agreed and
had no conversation with En-
gineer Woo!ey after our train
started. did not tell him that
No. 8 had gone by US. | went to the
baggage car soon after leaving Battle
Creek taking it for granted that the en-
gineer knew where he was going, did
not discover that he had run by the
eouble track until we were struck. In
fact, had no time to find out such was
the case as Judge it was not more than
half minute after we left the double
track until we met the other train"
AWFUL EXPERIENCE.
The most awful experience OF this
terrible affair was that OF Mrs. G. G.
Van Dusen, OF sprout Brook, N. Y,
who was burned to death, with hands
free and in full possession Of her senses,
in spite OF the utmost endsayors of the
party Of rescuers. Soon after the wreck
occurred Mr.. Van Dusen was removed
| from beneath q pile OF debris and taken
TO the hospital, where he died in short
| time. He was conscious to the last, left
his business affairs in the hands OF Rev.
George Culp, OF this city, friend, and
died without knowing that for his vile
had been reserved the most awful fate
Of all.
Mrs. Van Dusen was pinned in the
tulescoped car and at first had no doubt
of her escape. AS she looked out OF the
window and awaiting her rcscuers, the
alarm of fire was suddenly given. 'Hur-
ry up, please hurry up" she said, as
the fear crossed her mind that perhaps
she was possibly in danger OF burning.
A minute later while strong men were
straining to extricate ner, the possibil-
ity became n probability and the flames
crept rapidly toward the imprisoned
woman.
"You shant burn, we'll get you out"
cried the men heroically, rs they
wrestled frantically with the splinterod
timbers. There was Q lull of speech for
five minutes. The rescuers had become
giants in strength and mad men in des-
peration and they struggled wildly with
| the tangled mass of wood and iron.
The woman was silent and gazed i'm.
ploringy and inquirinGIy into the faces
OF the fremen.
my God; oh, my God" suddenly
burst from Of the lips OF the heroic
workers, and in that despairing heart
cry the helpless woman read her death
warrant. She gave one agonizing wall,
and then her woman's weakness gave
way to martyrs strength. II can die,
oh yes, can die il must" she said
soothingly to the strong men who were
weeping in their impotent strength.
Again they struggled breathlessly to
rescue. but the flames were encirclinG
the party ana the blaze claimed the
victim that the crash had spared.
" II am a Christian" she said resigned
ly and moment. later her voice was
raised in prayer. The flames had com
pletely encircled the helpless victim
and tho tiremen were driven away. AS
the blaze caught her arms and rs she
fought to keep tho flames from her face,
she told her name aud address and left
messages Of love to her husband and
family.
The closing minute was pathetic
struggle against the inevitable, but it
was the flesh that fought and not the
spirit. The white face OF the woman
ga2ed heaYenwnrd and her lips moved
| in prayer. Even the Jury oil the names
that wreathed her limbs and bnstered
and curied the white flesh Of
her arms wer; powerless to pro-
woke scream. Suddenly there
was a swaying and surging OF
burning timbers above and around her.
A wild groan burst simultaneously
from the lips OF the spectators and
strong men wept. Through their tears
they saw the flames sweep around the
face OF the martyred woman,
and her hair burned wildly for
moment. The head dropped to
one side as the victim inhaled the
flames, the praying lips were stilled
and the soul of Mrs. Van Dusen had
passed beyond the fury of the elements
OF earth. An hour later the husband
for whom she had left loving message
joined her in the world to come.