The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-11-14
SECOND TRAGEDY
ON SAME BRIDGE.
Two Children Killed at Five-Mile
Locks Just One Week Ago.
Mr.. Johnston Went to
Inspect Locks When
He Met His
Death.

Knocked from tho trestlc that spans
the canal five miles above Richmond, Mr..
James Johnston. seventy-seven years OF
age and a we'll known citizen OF Rich
mond. was instantly Killed yesterday at
tcrnoon nt $3.50 O'Clock He was struck
by the engine Of freight train No. Js.
,due in Richmond at 2:25 O'clock, but
which was more than an hour behind
time. The train was In charge Of En-.
gineer uToster and Conductor Kuescn-
berry.
Just one week ago yesterday afternoon
two children> were killed on the same
bridge. i8A 5ga s
The body Of Mr.. Johnston was hurled
Into the canal. several feet from the
3trestlc and was not recovered for some
time after the accident. The train CAME
to stop after going several car lengths
and the body OF the aged man was
men and message sent for DR.. w. II.
Deas, Coroner of Henrico county. After
q preliminary examination and inveslt-
CATION. Coroner Deas ordered the body
taken to BENEFITS Undertaking estab-
%lishment on West Broad Street where II
was prepared for burial. The inquest
VIII be held this morning.
The First Tragedy.
# Mr. Johnston was killed at the same
spot at which the two little girls were last
Monday afternoon. The hour Of day was
about the same. One week ago yester-
day afternoon two nine-year-old girls,
while walking across the same trestle,
known In the city as the five-mile locks,
were run down by special train over
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad and
were Instantly killed. One was horribly
rnangled. while the other was thrown
several feet from the tresue into tho
canal and while Instantly killed, Its body
was not manglcd. 1t was thus with Mr..
Johnston. He was killed by the blow.
but his body was thrown from the track
into the canal before tho wheels OF the
engine or the cars could pass over It.
For more than fifty years the deceased
had lived In Richmond. He had for
number OF years been employed as
keeper OF the New Reservoir, and 1t
was part OF his duties to look after
the trcstlc one not more than thirty feet
in length, that crosses the canal near
the settling basin. He left for this SPOT
shortly after dinner yesterday and this
was the last seen Of him until he was
struck by the train His son, M. Adam
c. Johnston, bookkeeper for Clyde w
Saunders. and with whom the deceased
resided at No. 3l1 South Cherry street,
was notified OF the tragic death about
an hour after it happened The body
was not taken home last night TINS pc
ing Impossible because OF the fact that
the coroner's jury had to view the body.
Was Well Known.
Mr.. James Johnston was born in Scot
land hut moved to this country when
n ycry yousg man. He married IN Rich
uonfl and his aged wife, now prostrated
with grief at the loss of her companion
of so many years, survives him. The
hIow was severe one to her, and may
result very seriously. Seven children
wer, born to the union, five Of whom
died when quite small The two living
children are Mr. Adam c. Johnston. Of
Richmond. asa Mrs. Coleman, wife OF
Rev James n. Coleman, Of South Hill,
Va She has been telegraphcd for. and
will arrive this morning.
He was an honored member OF Syra-
cuse Lodge, knights of Pythias. and also
Of Lee Lodge, Knights of Honor. For
more Than a quarter OF century he had
been a member of the First Presbyterian
Church.
In the business world he was also, we'll
known. though he had never appeared
in any enterprise In Rich
mond. AS a member of the West End
Buldisg Company lie had proven of In
valuable assistance to his colleagues.
He was of a jovial disposition, made
friends easily. and had the power of hold
Ing his friends close to him. His tragic
death causes general regret,