Evening star., 1896-08-15
Nearly Successful Attempt to Wreck
the F. F. v.
TURNED INTO An OPEN SWITCH
Narrow Escape of Passengers From
Wholesale Slaughter.
PERPETRATORS UNKNOWN

A dastardly attempt at train-wrecking,
which was partly successful and which
only remarkable good fortune prevented
from being entirely so, was made last
night at Ravensworth, Va, ten miles west
OF Alexandria on the Southern railway.
The tracks CT this company used as
lar as Charlottesville, Va, by Chesapeake
and Ohio trains from this city, and one of
the most important of these is the IF.
"" leaving Washington at ii 81 p.m., and
usually patronized at this time of year by
many passengers bound for the springs
and summer resorts in Virginia ana West
Virginia.
The train, which is known in railroad
parlance as No. 3, left the Pennsylvania
depot on time last night. 1t was in ch lrge
OF Conductor Pettus, and Engineer Fowler
was at the throttle of engine Nc. rs, with
Fireman Lester his assistant. AT 1919
as the short spur track at RaVensworth
was reached, the train being at full speed,
the engine left the main track and plung-
ed along on the ties of the siding, carrying
the mail anc express cars and combined
baggage and smoking car with IL.
After running this way for one hundred
feet the engine collided with box car
which was standing on the siding, and it's
impetus was checked. Baggage Master
Coffman who was seated in his chair was
badly bruised about the back, but no one
else was hurt.
Shocking Developments.
Investigation in the cause Of the derailins
of the train discovered that the switch lamp
which usually hangs at the entrance to
switches had been removed and the switch
lock had beer broken and the switch thrown
aside, so as 10 allow the train TO run In on
the siding. The lamp was found In the
woods nearby. and the switch lock had been
broker. with a sledge hammer The parties
dOfra q,
with switches as they threw II in instead OF
out. Had the latter course been taken the
wreck would have been disastrous.
When the wreck occurred Flagnan Mus
coe went back to protect the srain and
was fired at three times by unknown par
ties. who are believed to be those guilty
of the crime.
EXageeratiOn Causes Excitement.
Greatly exaggerated reports were circu-
lated here this morning reg lrding the af-
fair, and much excitement WIS created by
stories of wholesale disaster to passen-
gers and train hands. A nrecking train
was sent from Alexandria, in charge Of
Irainmaster T. ID. Mccarthy and Master
Mechanic Thomas, accompanied by Drs
Snowden and OBrien. There was nothing
Tor the physicians TO do, save 10 relieve
the somewhat painful injuries OF Baggage
Master Conman. but the wrecking crew
cleared the track, and at 4:45 am. the
train, drawn by engine No SG3 Of the
Southern railway, with Engineer Fowler
In charge, continued on its journey, the
baggage master going with II. The mail
car, express car, combined car and en-
gine, No. 12S. were left at Ravensw orth
The total damage will not exceed 500.
Theories Point to Tramps
No detectives bad reached the scene up
to this afternoon, but II is probable that
vigorous search will be made for the per
petrators of the crime. Ravensworth, a
before stated, is situated I'm a sparsely pop-
ulated neighborhood, the only house any
where near II being that of Gen. W. H. r.
Lee. There are dense woods surroundinR
It, and II is an ideal spot for a hold-up.
The fact that the switch was run into on a
heavy upgrade and that the engine struck
the box car is regarded as fortunate for
the train and its occupants.
AS there was no attempt 10 attack the
train when II stopped, the work is believed
TO be that of tramps. who have been plenti-
ful In that section recently, and suspicious
In their actions. 1t is thought that IL was
their intention to cause a complete wreck
and then rob the dead and injured in tine
excitement following. Two weeks ago to-
night residents near Mallow the first sta
tion south of Alexandria, reported TO the
Alexandria police that three tralnps were
evidently bent on mischief on the railroad
near there. Two policemen, armel with
shotgunes, were dispatched to Mallow but
the tramps had disappeared A farmer re-
ported seeing two hard-looking trsmps in
the vicinity OF Ravensworth yesterday
evening