Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-25
Victims Were Mr.. and Mrs. Condrey
and Their Little Boy.
HEY WE'RE IN A VEHICLE.
Their Horse became UnmnnngnbIe
In a Deep Cut on the Track, and
Death Came Almost instantaneous
Iy-RcDains Much MangIed.
Iy-RcDains Much MangIed.

PETERSBURG, VA, August 24.-(Spe-
cal.)-A terrible accident resulting in
the instant death of three persons, oc-
Cured shortly before 10 o'clock this morn
ing in Chesterfield county, on the Ricn-
mond and Petersburg railroad, about one
mile from this city. The scene OF the
catastrophe was at Grossmans Cross
ing, and the victims were Mr.. J. Edward
Condrey, his wife, and his son, aged
about years.
Both the railroad and the county road
pass through deep cut at this point,
which shuts out all view, except that
straight ahead. 1t is said, too. that if the
wind is blowing from the west, as it was
this morning, 1t is difficult for one in the
cut on the county road TO hear either the
signal or the noise of an approaching
train.
However this may be, there are none
living TO tell whether such was the case
this morning. The train causing the ac-
cident was No. %. the through south
bound mail and passenger train, which
leaves Richmond at 9:05 A. NJ.
THEY WERE HOMEWARD BOUND.
Mr.. Condrey, prosperous farmer and
respected citizen Of Chesterfield, left mis-
home, on the Roslin farm, near this city,
yesterday, accompanied by his wife and
son, TO visit his brother in the neighbor-
hood of Glover Hill. He spent the night
there. and started home this morning
happy IN the anticipation of meeting his
children. whom he left yesterday in
charge of the farm. The three were ira
Yelling in a light wagon, drawn by one
horse. He was within short distance OF
home when the crossing was reached. The
engineer blew his whistle on approaching
the crossing. but it is evident that the
signal was not heard by Mr.. Condrey,
and that the wagon was not seen by the
engineer until it appeared on The track
Immediately in front of the train, and
when too late TO prevent the accident. It
is thought that even then. but for the
fact that the horse became unmanageable
through fright the accident might have
been avoided.
ALMOST INSTANT DEATH.
The engine struck the team with great
force, and a sad scene Of death immedi-
ately followed. The wagon was broken
into splinters, and the horse, disembow-
elled and with nearly every bone in its
body broken, was tossed or forced for
ward TO a distance Of forty yards or
more.
The bodies of the occupants OF tha
wagon were also thrown or forced many
feet ahead. Mrs. Condrey's head was
severed, and the body itself terribly cut
and mangled across the chest. The upper
half of Mr.. Condrey's head was crushed
as was also the head of the boy.
The train was stopped Immediately for
the render of assistance. but it was
found that none could be given. Mr.. and
Mrs. Condrey were dead. and the boy
expired almost Immediately.
Friends of the family i'm the neighbor
hood soon assembled to protect the bo-
dies, and many persons went out from
this city TO view them.
A PATHETIC SCENE.
The scene was very pathetic As soon
as possible the proper county authorities
were notified. and a Coroners inquest
was ordered for the afternoon.
Mr.. and Mrs. Condrey were well known
throughout the county, where they had
many relatives and friends, and where
they were much respected. They had
been living near Petersburg for only 4
year or two. They leave four young
daughters and son at home and a son
who is at Manila with Dewey. The acci-
dent which cavsed the three deaths is
greatly deplored.
From the positions Of the bodies Of the
mother and son, after the accident, IT is
supposed that the boy was sitting in his
mothers lap when struck by the engine.