Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-28
THE N. & W. WRECK.
THE CAUSE HAS NOT YET DEEN
AsCERTAINED, 81
Tut MALICE Is SUSPECTED.
Remarkable That No One Was Kill
ed-COOI Engineer ana Fireman
Kindness Cost Him "a Round Sum-
Odd-Feilows' Celebration.

PETERSBURG, VA, April H.-(SpeciaL)
The cause of tho accident and wreck
last night of the west bound passenger
train on the Norfolk and Western rail-
road. some three or four miles east OF
this city, has not been explained. Inc
matter will, OF course. be thoroughly IN
vestisated by the railroad authorities.
The entire train was wrecked, and that
there was no loss of life or serious injury
to passengers is regarded as remark
able There IL suspicion that the switch
at that point had been tempered with. Or,
there may have been failure to turn
the switch off from the main track after
the last train had used the siding. Which
of these surmises may be true is not at
this time known. and may not be known
until an investigation is had. Certain, il
Is, however, that the rapidly speeding
train was suddenly switched off on the
siding and thus met it's fate. Engineer
Crannis. one of the most experienced
and careful engineers on the road, dis
covered nothing wrong as he approached
the switch, and bravely stuck TO his post
when the danger faced him. The engine
was thrown on its side across the tracks,
badly damaged, and Mr.. Crannls and
his fireman, after recovering from their
shock, crawled out through the window
of the cab. uninjured. The tender was
thrown from the track bottom upwards,
the express-car was ruined and pushed
off the track, the two passenger-cars
jumped and turned on their sides, and
the sleepers was partially overturned and
considerably damaged. The loss TO the
company will be heavy. The wrecking
trains from Norfolk and Crewe were
rushed to the scene Of the accident, and
this morning the track was sufficiently
cleared for traffic. The engine and tender
were brought up to the city to-day, and
the passenger and baggage-cars and
sleepers will be brought here as soon as
they can be gotten on the track. The
condition OF the eXpress-car IS such that
ii is useless and will be burned. Many
of our citizens went down to the scene
OF the accident to-day. and a number Of
kodac pictures were taken OF the wreck.
IL seems this afternoon that the i'm
preston in railroad circles, from the
blocked condition Of the switch, is that
the train was deliberately wrecked
through malice.
Mr.. Charles T. Smith. well-known
citizen Of Dinwiddie county, lost the
sum Of 1925 a day or two ago, through
his kindness in cashing a check for that
amount for a man who has since dlsap-
peared. The check was on a banking firm
IN Newport News, and when sent for col
lection was returned protested.
Miss Nellie Gillian, sister of Mr.. Robert
Gillian. Clerk of our Courts, who has
been residing in the City Of Mexico for
several years, is visiting her brothers
family here.
The lodges of Odd-Fellows in this city
tonight celebrated in handsome style
the eightieth anniversary OF the institu-
ton of that noble order. The programme
Of exercises was of an unusually interest |
ing character, and some fine music and !
addresses were heard by a large assem- |
olage of ladies and gentlemen. The prin- |
eipal address of the evening was delivered |
by Rev. DR.. II. W. Battle.
The remains OF Mrs. Anna d.. wife of |
Mr.. II. ;. Jenison, who died on Tuesday. /
IN Jacksonville, Fla, arrived here this !
evening and We're inferred in Blandford |
Cemetery. Deceased was the daughter of /
Mr. j. Il. Wade OF this city, and she /
caves many relatives and friends here.
1t is expected that the boys of the A. =. !
Hill Rifles, Company X, Fourth Virginia |
Regiment, will arrive in Petersburg |
some time tomorrow. They will receive a |
glad welcome from the home folk.