Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-10-19
SHOCKING ACCIDENT FRIDAY
Porter Samuel Spencer Cut in
Twain at p, w. & 3. Station.
STRUCK BYA DRIFTING" FREIGHT
Run Down While Sweeping
Track and Platform.
Tho Victim OF the Horrible Accident Was
One OF the Oldest Employees at the French
Street station, and One Of the most Promi-
pent Coiored Men IN This City.

After a service of 20 years with the
p, W. & B. Railroad Co., in this city
as porter, Samuel Spencer, colored, was
cut in twain by the wheels of box
freight car in front Of French street
station Friday morning. His death
was almost instantaneous.
Spencer was one of the most valued
employees at the station and many regu-
lar riders on the trains to and from
this city frequently inquired after
Spencer when he was missing from his
post. Deceased was about GO years of
age and several months ago resigned
bis position as porter, stating at the
time that he found the night work did
not agree with him and that his age
was against him. He was then engaged
In the work of carrying parcels for
drummers to and from stores. He after
ward became extra man at the station.
This work secured for him almost
steady employment and few days ago
he remarked 1t seems to me like home
again" For IA years he was driver
for Swift & Courtney. His first wife
was one of the early colored school
teachers of the State, first teaching at
Dover.
Spencer was an estimable man and
feared family which has proved a
redit to him. His second wife died at
the home of her mother in Philadel-
phia while the children were young,
the eldest child, Edward, being II years
old. He kept the family together and
by hard work gave to each child an
education, three being sent to college.
One of his daughters, Lillian, is now
teacher in School No. 16, and another
daughter who taught in the same school
is now in Philadelphia and doing we'll.
Harry, son, is engaged as a chemist
at Niagara Falls, N. T., in the Offices
of the Lead Production Co. He was
educated at the University of Penpsyl-
vania. Edward, the oldest, is shipping
clerk at the glazed kid works of william
Beadeenkopf. He was member of the
Tenth Cavlary in the recent war witt
Spain and acquitted himself with great
credit.
Spencer was engaged in sweeping the
tracks and boards in front of the sta
ton shortly before o'clock. when thu
Edge Moor work train arrived on thu
south bound track, and being on tina
track he stepped out of the way of tn,
train onto the northbound track. Con
ductor Lewis and Nathaniel Henderson
do obSintoE was SuSdSbu III SLlitiHh
cars in the yards with shifter No. 3
and pulled out cars and set box ca
on the northbound track, allowing
to drift" or run slowly back. tn
i engine then vent into the yard afte
another car. Spencer, who was becom
ing slightly hard of hearing, failed t.
hear or see the approaching car, as hi
back was turned, and was struck by i
and knocked down. The first pair o
trucks passed completely over him an,
he was caught by the second trucks AM
carried about 20 feet and one of tn
wheels rested on his body.
Several persons were about the sta
tion at the time, but none were able {
render any assistance. A hydrauli
jack was secured and the wheel wa
raised off his body before it could
extricated. The accident was one {
the most shocking that has occurred i
this vicinity for years and some of tn
old employees of the company were see
TO shed tears
The body was taken to the late hon
of the deceased, No. 205 East Thirteent
street, after the coroner had viewed
and enpaneled jury.