The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-30
TRAIEMEN DIE At POSTS.
Swept Into Raging Torrents By Land
slide Near ReuSenS.
TIE Passengers ESCAPE INJURY.
Heavy Rains Lead to Fatal Disas-
ter on Division of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio = Relief
Train on the Scene.

LYNCHBURG. Va, Dec. 3o.-Adzfees re-
ceiyed here at O'Clock this afternoon
are to the effect that the bodies OF the
trainmen killed as a result Of the land
slide last night near Reusens, a station
On the James River branch Of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railroad. have not been
recovered They were swept into the
raging water as the great mass Of earth
and rock struck the train, and all efforts
TO locate them have proved futile.
Five instead of four men lost their lives
in the disaster.
The work Of clearing away the debris
caused by the wTecking OF the train was
gotten fairly under way this morning. So
far as could be learned the dead are
Conductor E. 4. Whitaker, Of Richmond.
Engineer George Fisher. OF Richmond
Baggageman Neil Thompson, Of Rich
mond-
Express Messenger Harry Shannon, of
Richmond
Several persons we're slightly injured,
but none seriously so. The dead and in
jured are being cared for by the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Company.
story of the Wreck.
As the regular westbound passenger
train on the Chesapeake and Ohio was ap-
preaching this city yesterday afternoon,
it was delayed BY d slight freight wreck.
five loaded cars having jumped the track.
Owing TO the length Of time that II would
made up here to accommodate q large
number Of persons who wished to go to
| Lexington and C1ifton-Forge. The special
left Lynehburg at half-rast O'Clock last
night and it WAS then realized that owing
| to the high water IN the James River its
journey up the river would be exceedingly
hazardous. All went well until the train
was about mile west Of Reusens, about
five miles from Lynchburg. Then in
rounding sharp curve. the engine ran
against q heavy rock that had been
washed from the side Of the hill on the
left of the track BY the force Of the
| collision, the engine was de-ailed.
The second Landslide.
As the train was standing under an
overhanging cliff, with the river rushing
close at hand, it was suggested that the
coaches be pushed back out OF danger,
as 1t was feared that there would be g
second landslide
With the assistance Of about fifteen pas
sengers. the train crew managed to push
the passenger coach out Of the way or
the threatening rocks. and then the party
returned 10 work On the baggage car. As
matter OF preeaution, the passengers
stretched themselves along the car on
the side next TO the river. but they
had hardly taken their positions when
there was roar like terrific explosion
and the whole side OF the bluff seemed
to be falling. Rocks weighing tons
crashed against the car and engine. al
most 0urying them. There was Wild
rush fer safety
The night was very dark On one side
the men were confronted with food of
water and on the other with a grinding
the passengers who had been assisting
in pushing the car were able to reach a
place Of safety, but the members Of the
train crew, most of whom we're on the
side next to the cliff. went down at their
posts.
Trying to Save the Engineer
Engineer Fisher, who was uncoupIing
the baggage car from the engine, was
| knocked over by an immense boulder
| and was pinned to the ground. He was
terribly injured, and in his agony begged
that someone would kill him. The water
from the river crept gradually nearer
| until Fishers head had to be held up to
keep him from drowning. Efforts were
made to disledge the mass Of rock and
raise the engineer from the approaching
food. But all efforts were vain COL
ored man who held Fishers head in his
hands had to leave his post in order to
save his own life.
| The water closed over the unfortunate
| engineer and he was drowned
Conductor Whitaker was thrown into
the river and as he was borne away he
was heard to ask how many passengers
were hurt. The next instant he was car
rfed over the dam. and as he disappeared
shouted a farewell 10 his wife and chill
dren.
Express Messenger Harry Shannon and
Baggagemaster Neil Thompson we're
caught beneath the avalanche of rock and
had the life crushed out of them.
c. C. Walker, General Superintendent Of
the road, arrived here this morning on
his private car, and is now directing the
work of clearing the way.
Engineer Fisher was about seventy
years of age. and was a veteran employe
Of the Chesapeake and Ohio.
All wires are down between Richmond
ard Lynehburg- High water has driven
the telegraph operators from the de7ots
| at Columbia and Scottsville.
The bodies of the dead VIII be taken
to Richmond as soon as recovered.