Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-24
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.
MIR. MIDDLETON THOMPSON LOSES
HIS LIFE AT WINCHESTER, VA.
CAUGHT BEIWGEN FREIGHT CARS.
His Left Leg Completely Severed
Details of the Lamentable Oc-
currence-Morgan Anderson Dis
charged.
charged.

WINCHESTER, VA. August 3.-(Spe-
| cial)-About . o'clock this morning Mid
dleton Thompson. Of Sandy Hook. a
brakeman in the service OF the Baltimore
and Ohio, was hurled under a heavy
freight-car and his left leg severed COM
pletely from his body. He died about IL 80
o'clock at the Hart Hotel, where he was
carried after the accident. The body was
prepared for burial at the hotel. and the
remains were sent TO the home OF the de-
ceased, In Sandy Hook. at 6:0i this eve
ming
LEAVES A LARGE FAMILY.
The unfortunate man was slightly over
so years of age. and is survived by a
wife and six grown daughters. He had
been connected with this branch of the
Baltimore and Ohio for twenty-five years.
Previous to his tragic and terrible death
to-day ne had never had an accident or
been in a wreck.
HOW IT HAPPENED.
The engine was near the passenger de-
pot at the end Of long strilg of freight
cars, extending toward the depot. Mr..
Thompson had just thrown the switch,
which is north of the companys Ice
house on the eastern tracks, 10 let Two
cars run on the siding. when ne was
seen to be hurled under the moving cars.
From the position of the switch, II is
thought that the unfortunate man had
failed 10 lock IL before the swift-movng
cars had switched TO that track, thus
causing the heavy iron lever, which is
surmounted by an immense iron bail, TO
rebound with terrific force The iron
knob struck him in the side and hurled
him about ten feet directly under the
wheels Of the first of the two cars. lie
was dazed from the blow in the side
and in a twinkling the heavy wheels
passed over his left leg, while the brake
rods had torn a gaping hole in the side
of his head and another in his arm.
Despite his injuries, he crawled several
feet TO one side of the track and there
fell exhausted.
HIS GREAT COURAGE.
Assistance was Immediately summoned,
and he was carried TO the freight depot
He was perfectly conscious and his nerve
was remarkable Not a groan escaped his
lips, but in a feeble way he asked that his
friends be notified DR.. Love arrived on
the scene in a few moments, and it took
but a glance for him TO tell that the SUI
ferer was past all help.
ANDERSON DISCHARGED.
Morgan Anderson, who was arrested on
Thursday night. charged with killing John
A. Johnson at Capon Bridge, was dis
charged in the magistrates court yester-
day afternoon by Justice Amos Pugh.
Numerous witnesses testified that Johnson
was the aggressor, and that Anderson 5
life was in danger. He struk Johnson over
the head with a jug Of molasses, frac-
turing his skull. from the effects Of which
he died a few hours later. Anderson was
set at liberty.
Ross Burton, the young man who was
arrested and lodged in Jail yesterday on
the charge Of stealing a horse. has been
discharged from custody. He hired team
from a local livery stable and failed 10
return il. He was located in West Nir-
ginia. where he had driven the horse. over
one hundred miles. Upon paying the DAM
ages caused by his escapade he was dis
charged.
Representatives Of the local newspapers
met tonight in the office of the Evening
News-Item 10 adopt suitable resolutions
relative TO the death OF Bernard A. Wade.
a former editor of the News-Item. They
decided to attend his funeral in a body.