The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-24


ping from u running train near Inuttd-
THE ACCIDENT.
the Atlanta Journal gives the following
thrilling account of the accident.
ION last Saturday afternoon Colonel
ana Mrs. Scruggs and their two daughters
and Colonel j. W Sheffield and daughter,
Of Americus, left Tate Springs, Wherc
they had been spending some weeks, over
the Southern railway for Chattanoogd.
They travelled from MOrristOwn TO CleVc-
land very pleasantly but when they
reached tho latter point they were delay
ed by the report of a wreck between there
and Chattanooga.
They were detained about half an hour,
and as il grew dusky the train was light
ed up, and about o'clock the engineer
pulled out for COhuttah, being compelled
10 take that roundabout route because or
the wreck. The train was running about
fifty miles an hour in the effort TO make
up lost time.
"A short time after leaving Cleveland
Mrs. Scruggs started 90 the layatory.
Tho entire party had been chatting
pleasantly IL was some little time before
any inquiry was made about Mrs. Scruggs.
Her husband. growing anxious over her
continued absence, walked back 20 the
rear of The coach. and failing To find her,
reported She matter to Colonel Shefheld
and the two began search Of the train.
Passing through the rear end OF the
vestbuled car Colonel Sheffield remarked
that the side door leading to the steps,
on the right hand side as they walked to-
ward the rear car was open.
Not being able 10 find her. they went 10
the conductor and Colonel SCruggs zee
ported her strange disappearance and ask
ed that the train De stopped and backed
IN search Of her. or that he be given an
engine 10 make the search
The train slowed up &C COhuttah and
am engine was secured with "a box car at
tached after half an hours unavoidable
delay Colonel Scruggs asked the station
agent 10 telegraph DR. Baxter I'M Chatta-
nooga 10 come down 20 Cohuttah on the
next train.
Two men were placed on the pilot OF
the engine two on the tender and am
other with Colonel Scruggs on the box
ear. Colonel Scruggs sat I'm the door with
his feet hanging out so that he could
keep close watch, and the train was rum
az "a slow speed along down the track ina
the direction OF Cleveland.
MRS. SCRUGGS FOUND.
suddenly Colonel Scruggs observed "a
dark object lying ON tho grass i'm the
moonlight. 1t had escaped the eyes of the
trainmen because OF the glare OF the
lights. simultaneously with the discovery
Of the object Colonel Scruggs heard a
groan and recognized il as the voice of
his wife.
Without waiting for the train 10 stop
he shouted the alarm and sprang from
the car and ran down the cmbaukmont 10
where she lay on the thick grass boz
marshy spot fully twenty feet from the
track.
She was still conscious. and i'm a few
words told the story of the fatal mishap.
She had walked 10 the rear OF the car.
and trying 10 open q door which she sup
posed 10 be the layatOry found 10 locked
thinking that she had made a mistake.
ana that n was private statc-rOOm. she
walked step further and. seeing "a door
partly open and swinging with the motion
OF the train, She opened 10 and stepped
out.
In an instant she realized her mistake
she saw in front Of her the trees OF the
forest and patches of moonlight whizzing
by as the train sped frOward. Just then
the train lurched 10 one side and she was
thrown violently against the door, break
ing her right arm.
With one hand she clung desperately 90
the railing ass the sWift-mOyng train sueI
onward. Then there came another mighty
lurch and she was thrown long distance
and fell TO the ground. In spite of the
shock she retained consciousness and iy-
Ing there helpless she began tO think what
pleasant place In was iu which tO dir
wounded and bruised until She was
completely helpless. she looked up and
saw the stars shining and noticed the
sparkle Of the dew on the grass. Not
far away She heard the barking or a.
dog. She felt that she was still boo reach
OF help II II could only reach her time
a LONG WAIT.
she was sure that her husband would
discover her absence and return Boo search
Of her She heard the roar of am ago
preaching train but as the glarin1 head
light passed and the long train of ears
Numbered by she saw that N was a freight
train going ln the same direction as the
train from which she had been thrown.
Others flashed by going 40 full speed
ltsI afff F-Hr Hla 81
ing the terrible anguish from her many
wounds. and realizing that her strength
was rapidly falling. Al last she heard o.
train approaching from tho opposite direc-
ton and as 10 nearcd the SPOT she saw
that II must carry searching party from
the number of lights displayed and the
slow speed az which IL was being run.
Just then I'm the weird reflection of a
lantern. she beheld the anxious face OF
her husband and summoning an her
strength she uttered deep grOdn %
attract his attention.
In an instant be had sprung from the
train and was AT her side and the heroic
woman realized that she had been rescued
from 4 lonely death I'm those mountain
woods
"Tenderly She was placed In the car and
brought 20 Atlanta.
Arriving here Sunday morning after
most remarkable display Of forttude me
unfortunate lady was carried 10 her home
on Pcachtrect street where DIS. Baxter,
Cooper. Jarngan and Robinson made "a
thorough examination.
"They found that the right thieh had
been broken IN three places, the right
side OF the collar bone broken, the left
arm near the shoulder broken. a terrible
cash cut just below the right knee and
various bruises and cOntusions all over
the limbs and body.
Thursday symptoms OF pneumonia were
discovered and 10 was That which caused
the physicians so much alarm Thursday
night She has retained her conscious
ness an the while except night before
last. when she became little Eighty
from the febrile symptoms.
Mrs Scruggs IS only about fifty-six
years Of age and looks much younger.
She was a Virginia lady, from Stafford
county. and she and Colonel Scruggs We're
married when she was but seventeen and
he twenty. Up 10 the time OF the ac-
cident she had been enjoying superb
health for many months.
IL will be remembered that several
years ago, Mr.. Charles II Conrad.