The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-02-04
TIN WOMEN KILLED
Train Crashes INTO Sleigh With
Frightful Results.
THREE OTHERS BADLY INJURED
Driver Saw Approaching Train, eut
Could Not Stop, and the Sleigh Was
Reduced to Splnters and Women

Could Not Stop, and the Sleigh was
Reduced to spIinters and Women
Hurled in Every Direction.
Ilorncllsylle. y. Y. Feb. "A pas
senger train on the Pittsburg. shaw
NUT and Northern Railroad crashed
into sleigh containing - women.
killing seven outright and so seri
ously injuring the remaining six that
three OF them died after being removed
to the hospital or the others two
are in a serious condition. The acct
dent occurred near Airport. The
sleigh was one Of three carrying a
party from the Uniyersalist Church,
Of this city.
The dead are Mrs Mary Gillette.
Mrs Charles Thomas, Mrs. Eugene
Shaw Mrs. Joseph IIallett. Mrs. c. C..
Graves Mrs. Bert Moore Mrs. Ruth
Patchen. Mrs. Coates and Mrs Fred
Green. Mrs. Fred Boubhton.
The injured are: Mrs f. X. Row
lev. Mrs Bond and Mrs w. Clark.
Members OF the Ladies' Aid Society
of the Uniycrsalist Church went to a
farm house near Airport to spend the
afternoon o. was nearly dark when
they started ON the return trip 10 the
city. The occupants Of the leading
sleigh saw the train approaching as
they ncarcd the Shawmut crossing
rhe driver urged his horses ahead.
and the sleigh passed over the tracks
in safety. The women in the first
sleigh then attempted TO warn those
in the one following Of the danger
and they did succeed in directing their
attention 10 the rapidly approaching
train. Tho driver pulled up his
horses. but he could not check the
heavy bob sleigh quickly enough. and
when il came 10 a standstill the box
OF the sleigh was directly across the
railroad track. The pilot OF the en-
CINE struck the sleigh with great
force reducing it TO splnters and
hurting the women in all directions.
Every woman on the sleigh was killed
or injured.
The other members Of the party
hurried back to the assistance OF their
unfortunate companions. and the train
was stopped and backed mp to the
crossing
The bodies Of the dead We're placed
upon the train and the injured were
land upon improvised cots in the bag
gage car The train then proceeded
10 Hornelsville The news OF the
accident had been telephoned to the
city. and hundreds OF friends and rela-
tiyes OF the unfortunate women were
waiting al the station The dead were
AT once taken to the morgue and the
injured we're placed in ambulances
and taken to the Mercy hospital
Elisha quick. driver OF the second
sleigh. was badly hurt. but was able
to make the following statement:
81 was driving along at a sharp
canter when suddenly saw the fash
Of the headlight and heard the ladies
in the front sleigh call out not to at
tempt 10 cross The women in my
sleigh saw the train at the same time.
and. realizing their peril. began to
scream and shrek for help. TIER
cries and the glare OF the light so
frightened the horses that was I'M
able to stop them, and they sprang
upon the tack. They succeeded in
clearing it. but just as the sleigh was
half way across The engine struck rs
with a terrible crash, and | remember
nothing more until found myself
being picked mp out Of the snow. |
simply could not control my horses.