The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1901-02-01

j. B. watson, engineer.
j. G. Bailey, brakeman.
j. F. Bailey, fireman.
G. Cunningham, fireman.
NJ. Courtney, brakeman.
INJURED:
Ike Davlsdon, engineer,
B. L. Long, conductor.
The worst wreck on the Parkersburg
branch Of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad in many years occurred at LOS
Monday afternoon at Hickman's Cut,
between Petroleum and Volcano juno
tion, "a miles west of here.
Two freight trains met in head.end
collision in the middle Of the cut, in a
turve and on steep grade, while one
vas going down grade at the rate of
10 miles an hour. WeStbound No. 81
xas ON the siding at Petroleum, with
orders to pass first and second sections
Df eastbound No. 9s there. Engineer
d. Davidson, who was not killed in the
irst section OF No. 90 pass thought 1t
was the second and pulled out on the
main track. B. L. Long, his conduc-
tor, knowing that the engineer had
made a mistake, rushed over the top
Of the cars as fast as he could In his
attempt to attract the engineers at
tention and stop him in time, but he
had reached only the fourth car when
the collision came and he had barely
time to jump when the car he was on
was mashed. Fifteen cars all loaded
and both engines were completely de-
moltshed.
OF the crew Engineer Davidson, of
No. 81, escaped with only slight in
Jury. He was found caught between
the solid rock wall OF the cut and the
end OF the tender, and his escape was
almost miracle. His fireman, j. T.
Bailey, Of Parkersburg, and his brake
man, j. G. Bailey, of Kanawha, were
both killed. or No. 9s Engineer ]. B.
Watson, OF Grafton; Fireman G. G.
Cunningham, of the second division,
and Brakeman NJ. Courtney, Of Par
kersburg, were both killed. Both
conductors and both rear brakemen
escaped.
Conductor Ford, of the eastbound
train, seeing the third 81 pull
ing out after he passed attempted to
jump from the train to stop it, but it
was going too fast and he could not
lump with safety. The body OF j. G.
Bailey was taken from the wreck an
unrecognizable mass. He was identi-
fled by his watch.
The bodies OF the unfortunate men
were mbeded deep in the debris and
it was difficult to recover them. This
was tedious undertaking on account of
the nature of the deep cut in which 1t
occurred rendering it nearly inaccessi.
BILE to the wrecking crews.
The cause of the disaster as nearly
as can be learned is as follows Train
No. 81 west bound, was made up in
ave sections. Train No. 80, east bound
was made up in two sections. The
third 81 had orders to meet the first
and second 9s at Petroleum. Shortly
after the first section had passed at
Petroleum, the engineer of the third
81, Ike DAWSON, pulled out of Petro-
leum, and while going down the steep
grade between there and the Bridge
No. A at full speed ran into the east
bound freight which had just entered
the cut.
OEngineer Davidson had worked for
four days and nights without sleep.
Having an hour or so to lay at Petro-
leum he went to sleep. He knew he
was to pass two sections at that place,
but in his half da2ed condition from
loss OF sleep, he imagined section had
passed him. Then when the first sec
tion did pass him he thought IL was
the second, and pulled out, surprising
hGElad a clear track.
conductor on his train, Bretty
La6G, had the same orders and realiz-
ing that the second section had not
yet passed. at once slgnaled the engi-
neer. At this time there was such a
snow blizzard that it was impossible
for the engineer to recognize the con-
ducGGj signals. Seeing his inability
TO Ati;SSSssct the attention OF the engi-
neef, Conductor Lang climbed out OF
his cabooSe and started towards the
engine. He was on top of one OF the
box cars when the two trains met. 1t
Is remarkable he was not instantly
killed. He was thrown against the
bank and escaped with a few bruises,
Trains over this line had to be aban-
doned and it was late Tuesday night
before the road was clear and ready