Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-24
CHRISTMAS EVE OF TERROR.
Wilton J. Lambert's Recollection Of
Railroad Wreck.

eat the approach OF the Christmas season
we involuntarily take a retrospective view
Of conditions which have surrounded us
upon similar occasions in the past, and as
frequently we realize that the most pleas
ant, as well as the most narrowing OF our
experiences have confronted us upon such
occasions" said Mr.. Wilton J. Lambert to-
day. IT assert this partly because such has
been my observation and Information. and
own case and 1t often occurs TO me what
interesting reading these different incl
dents would make ~!
81 never hear the coming Of Christmas
suggested without yividly recalling the pre-
carious situation In which I was placed
not 80 very many years ago. On the oath
Of December In the year referred to was
called to Chicago. With only a valise I
ably ensconced In Pullman section to my
self, gave but little thought to possible
danger until, as the train sped over the
Potomac, noticed that the water was ex-
tremeiy high, and remembered to have
heard reports of excessive rains and swollen
| streams in the west - : ren",.2
"All apprehension. however, was soon for
gotten when l began to observe my com.
the car. seemingly aoblivious to surround
ings I took them to be congressman. re-
turning to their southern homes. Inree
young school girls. homeward bound Tor
to themselves, and a young woman with an
interesting little boy and girl occupied the
adjoining section to my own.
These constituted the list OF passengers
until. upon reaching a small station.
thought1essly looked out OF the window, TO
receive q, handful Of rice in my face, and
knew that bride and groom had been
added to our party. The children, especially
the little girl, soon became the life Of the
car, endearing themselves to all with their
childish prattle of Santa Claus. until one
by one we sought an early repose.
1T seemed to me had hardly dozed a
crash and Jolt followed by agonized cries
and groans In an instant I was out OF my
berth to find the car crushed In sections by
rock and earth and the floor rapidly hlllng
with water and snow as from mountain
torrent On one side was precipice and
on the other the river doomed up almost
even with the tracks. 1t needed only a
glance to convince me that heavy land.
devastation was well nigh complete.
"All that willing hands and strong arms
could do was done, until daylight revealed
the fact that many had persisted. The little
almost at my side, and just beyond lay the
happy bridegroom Of few hours before.
writhing In pain from broken thigh. The
bride, uninjured save from shock, was over
come with hysteria-
1.-The passengers were removed by boat to
a coy village house on the far side OF the
river Here we were greeted by genuine
southern hospitality, q house full of chill
dren and q tastefully decorated Christmas
tree, and midst such surroundings we spent
our Christmas, strangers to each other, yet
bound together by the strong ties Of human
sympathy and suffering. Never will I for
get the pathos Of the scene presented when
Just at twilight as all who could were
drawn around the big log fire beside the
tree. the little ssterless boy turned to his
broken-hearted mother and said:
" Mamma, won't Santa Claus give sister
Christmas tree in heaven