Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-06-23
A Terrible Accident.

A Terrible Accident.
One of the worst accidents that has
happened in jefferson county in long
time occurred last Saturday afternoon,
when two Shepherdstown men lost
their lives and third was badly hurt.
The new traction engine and stone
crusher recently purchased by the
county, and in charge of Pike Com
missioner James K. Hendricks, has
been used for crushing stone on the
Kabletown and Bloomery turnpike at
Weirick's mill, about 81 miles south OF
Charles Town. 1t had crossed the
bridge and finished crushing a lot Of
stone, and about one o'clock it was
determined to bring it back. John
Wise, the engineer, and Melvin and
Silas Shipley, helpers with the crusher,
all from ShepherdstOwn, were on the
traction engine, which was drawing
the stone crusher. The two machines
weighed together Is tons, and their
combined weight was too much for
the iron bridge, which spanned the
stream at height of about 10 feet.
Just as the front wheels of the engine
had reached the firm roadway, and
when another half minute would have
meant safety, the bridge collapsed.
The rear part of the engine dropped
and caused the huge machine to turn
complete somersault as it crashed to
the shore of the stream below, and the
ponderous crusher added its fearful
weight to the wreck. There was no
chance to jump, SO sudden was the
collapse of the bridge, and the three
unfortunate men were caught in the
machinery as they fell.
Wise was caught under the engine
and instantly killed. His neck was
broken, his head was cut and his body
crushed. Silas ShipleY was the first
to get out OF the wreck. Scaldng
steam enveloped it, and he was badly
burned before he escaped Melvin
Shipley was caught by his foot and
held fast, enveloped in the steam. He
was horribly burned by it and scald-
ing water from the broken injector
pipe. He had about given up hope
when he caught the spokes ,of wheel
and pulled himself loose, tearing his
shoe from his foot. The two young
men managed to get safe distance
from the steam, and when help came
were taken to the home of Robert j.
Weirick, near the scene ofthe accident.
Drs. Miller and Neil were summoned
at once and gave them medical atten-
ton, doing everything possible to re-
lieve their intense sutferings. a
trained nurse was also placed in at
tendance. Melvin Shipley, who was
l6 years old, was horribly burned, the
flesh on his body being literally cooked.
He fingered until Monday morning,
when death ended his suffering about
half-past nine o'clock. His brother
Silas, who is Is years old, is getting
along fairly well, and will probably
recover.
The body of John Wise was recov-
cred from the wreck as soon as posi-
bic and taken to Charles Town and
prepared for burial. Sunday morning
it was brought to Shepherdstown, and
after service in the Southern Metho-
dist church, conducted by Rev. D. F.
Eutsler, was Inferred in the Reformed
Cemetery. Mr.. Wise was about 38
years old, and had lived in Shep-
herdstown nearly all his life He is
survived by his wife and his aged
mother.
Monday evening the body OF Mel
vim Shipley was brought here to the
home of his father, Fonrose Shipley.
The funeral service was held yester-
day morning in the Episcopal church,
Rev. c. E. a. Marshall officiating
and the interment took place in Elm
wood Cemetery. The sad results Of
the accident caused great regret in
this community, where all the victims
were well known.
The bridge that was wrecked was
an iron structure of about forty feet
span, and was erected by the Pitts
burg Bridge Company in 1891. The
engine and crusher were on the east
side, it is said, and the heavy weight
was too much for it, causing it to give
way on that side. Possibly if the
machinery had been in the center it
might have stood the strain. The
tops of the abutments were pulled off.
The members of the County Court
went to the scene of the accident on
Monday to take action in regard to
rebuilding the bridge, etc.