The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-04-24
AN UNSAFE BRIDGE
Further Details of the Buffalo
Creek Disaster.
Ryns Escaped by Daring Leap. Engineers
Mangled Body Found Under Mass
Of Timber,
Especial to the News and observer1

Especial to the News and Observer1
Shelby. N. c., April 22.--When the
north bound freight engine from
Blacksburg went through the Buf-
falo trestle Saturday morning it took
with it a box car loaded with flour and
furniture. This trestle Eas been re-
ported to be the worst one on the road,
the foundation being laid on sand tenn
porarily, so an iron suspension could
be put in
AS the train approached the trestle,
the engineer, fireman and flagman got
down and examined the bridge and
thinking it safe, started across the
bridge. AS the engine was falling Fred
Rhyme, the fireman, jumped, landing
about thirty feet below the wrecked
bridge into q mass of large falling tim
Der, one piece hitting him as he Went
down.
1t was thought he was killed and un-
der the timber, but the brave boy
caught floating piece OF timber and
was taken down the creek for one
mile and a half, where he stayed for
broken arm and an injured back. He
was on the piece of timber he caught
at the wrecked trestle and was far
into the river when found. A rope
was thrown to him from the bank,
which he caught and tied around his
waist. He was towed across the main
part Of the river where he was taken
out and carried to Blacksburg where
medical aid was summoned. The. car
rying of Rhyme across the main bed OF
the river was one of the most daring
rescues ever known around this place
j. d. Metcalf, the engineer, was
thought to have gone down with the
engine and killed Immediately, as the
last time he was seen he was at his
post, by the throttle. Nothing could be
done then toward getting the body out
for the creek was surging mass OF
timber and was all over the hills for
many hundred yards.
In the meanwhile the south bound
passenger train was flying along in the
direction of the bridge, and would
have gone over with all on board but
for Flagman Will Sullivan, who went
forward and met the train few hun
dred feet from the scene.
Sunday morning after the water had
fallen, search was made for Metcalf,
who was found about a mile down the
river washed up against a tree under
some timber with his skull fractured,
and his body otherwise mangled. On
his person was found his pocket book
knife and other things, his watch was
| missing The body was taken to Blacks
burg and will be sent to his wife's
| home at Forest City today. Mr.. Met
! calf was one of the most careful en-
| gineers on the road and had been with
| the road since it was built He was
| liked by all and was favorite with
| the railroad men. He was married In
] Forest City twelve years ago to 4
/ daughter of Robt Harrell.
It is reported that portions of Bull
locks creek and the trestle approach tc
/ Catawba river bridge are washed away
/ The State should take motive of these
4 bad bridges and do all ii can toward
/ condemning them, as there are many
( lives at stake on this and other roads
on account of these bad bridges.
The engine will be raised soon ant
the bridge put in order to let the trains
pass. A temporary bridge is being put
up for the transfer of passengers an(
mail. The shores of the creek Were
crowded with people Sunday, but moth
ing could be seen, for the engine il
buried in mud and beyond sight.