The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-24

able to talk. and they gave their versions
OF the wreck to a representative of The
Times. Lying on cot in a ward on the
third floor OF the hospital, MIR. Shindel
said:
This is the second time | have had a
narrow escape from death within the past
week. Last Thursday night I was in a
wreck on the Atlantic Coast Line, in the
far South. No one was hurt, although the
locomotive of the train jumped the track
while going at high rate of speed.
The wreck at Covesdalo was most seri-
Gus, although | am told the loss of life
was small A good many persons were
injured. Nearly all the postal clerks on
the wrecked limited were more or less
seriously injured
Il think the train was going forty-ffve
! miles an hour when we struck the land
slide. 1t was an hour before daylight.
Most of our work was up, and We were
taking. several of US. when there came
crash that was appalling. | was pitched
out OF the mail car. seemingly head fore
most, and was pinned beneath a great
pile OF wreckage before | had realized
what had happened. 1t was miracle
that l escaped being killed. In the
wreckdge some of the other clerks and
the crew were rolling about when I re-
covered my reasoning powers, which
were for a moment fairly carried away.
/ The force of the collision with the bank
of earth was tremendous
I'm some manner l got out of the de-
| nris unaided, and | went to help other
persons less fortunate. | secured treat
ment two hours later for the wounds on
my head.
Il shall be all right in day or two. -
Shtncel has been in the railway mail
service about eighteen months. He is
married and has no children. He is com
paratively a young man, and of a pleas
ing address and appearance.
Ernest Loving, who occupied cot next
to that OF Shindel. has been in the rail-
way mail service four years His wife
and one child reside in this city, where
Loving has his home.
No Warning of Crash.
The story of the wreck of the limited
as told by Loving is dramatic. He said:
There was no warning of the crash.
which we encountered just before day
light. 1t came like flash of lightning
and was over almost as quickly. Fire
added 10 the horror of the wreck Hardly
had the engine and the coaches and the
mail cars been piled upon one another
before flames broke out apparently ignit-
ing from the locomotive For a time all
was confusion. At the first shock pas
sengers fed in their night clothes from
the wrecked coaches. In the darkness all
was confusion, and one could scarcely
recognize person at his side"
Loving will probably be able to go to
his home tomorrow. He is anxious to
leave the hospital.
Robinson S. Walters was in charge of
the postal clerks on the wrecked limited
He has been ten years in the service. His
condition is such that he will have to re-
main at the hospital for several days. and
perhaps longer.
Up to late hour last night little had
been learned of the relatives or friends
of Lown. the negro porter, whose home
is in this city. II is probable his re-
mains will be brought here today for
burial. Lown was assigned to duty on
the Pullman ear Cryse.
The Washington and Chattanooga lin
tied, known as train 40, which follows
the Southwestern limited TO this city from
Lynchburg Va, where it leaves the West
ern route, was delayed for hours yester-
day by the wreck. In consequence the
train did not arrive in this city until late
yesterday afternoon.