Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-01-03
CRUSHED BY A CLIFF.
Train Wrecked Near Reusens, Va, by q
Landslide.

The Chesa peake and Ohio west-bOund
passenger train, No. 9, on the James
Ri yer Division, which, on account OF
a freight wreck below Lynchburg, left
that city Sunday after 6 O'Clock, met
with a serious accident one hour later
about one mile west of Rensens. The
dead so far as known are: Conductor
e A. Whitaker, Engineer George
Fisher, Baggagemaster Thompson, Elk
press Messenger Shannon.
A machinist named Baker, of Cliff
ton Forge, Is missing, but it is not
known that he is killed
Some of the passengers who came
from the scene of the wreck expressed
the belief that probably one to two
passengers were buried under the de-
bris, but no names of any missing could
be ascertained. Capt. Whitaker, the
conductor, was knocked into the river
anu drowned. His body has not been
recovered.
The high water in the James River
and the excessive rain caused Engineer
George Fisher to proceed cautiously,
and be was rounding a curve very
slowly when the engine struck slide,
| bringing the train to an abrupt stand
still.
Conductor E. A. Whitaker sent the
| fagman back to Reusens to telegraph
to Lynchburg for assistance, the front
wheels of the engine being wedged by
an immense boulder. The train con
sisted of day coach and baggage
car, and as the track on which they
were standing was Immediately under
lofty cliff of rock. with the raging
river close up on the other side, it was
suggested that it would be wise to
move the two coaches back for fear
fall OF rock should crush them or push
them into the river.
The crew, with the help of about fif-
teen passengers, then pushed the day
coach back about sixty yards and had
| returned to push the baggage car also
when the whole side of the bluff seem
ed to be falling, and rocks weighing
tons crashed against the car.
There was rush for safety, and
| most of the men were able TO escape.
It is feared that some besides Capt.
w hittaker were thrown into the river
pitch dark, raining, no station near,
and only the roaring of the James
could be heard, the water being at least
AlSuCl Uudu AOA uols 4huO
the ice cold. swiftly flowing water Con-
ductOr Whitaker was thrown, and as
he was borne away he shouted for help.
and being answered by man on the
bank said that he had hold of some
driftwood; just before he went over the
dam at Reusens, be shouted: 'TelI my
folks good by.'
Engineer Fisher was uncoupling the
baggage Car from the engine when be
was knocked off by an enormous rock
which pinned him to the river bank.
He suffered intensely and begged to be
killed.
The water was rising very fast, and
gradually it crept up on the wounded
man until his head had TO be held by
a cOlored man. At last this was use
less, for the water covered his head,
and the colored man had to move to
save his own life.
Mr.. Fisher, the engineer was Staun-
ton boy, was educated as machinists
In Massachusetts. When the war came
on be entered the army of Northern
Virginia and served through it, after
the war be went to work for the g. &
o. Ry. and has been with it ever since,
and was considered a valuable man by
the company. He was about 20 years
of age, and was first cousin of Messrs.
A. F.. J. M. and E, G. Kinney, and
Henry Harrison, of this place.