Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-11-29
Terrible Railway Accident

Rear-end Collision Near LYnchhufg Oh
the Southern ADMINISTRATION
samuel Spencer, ID. W. Davis and SIR.
Schuyler Among the Killed,
Shortly before noon today report was
circulated throughout the city that a ter
rible accident had occurred on the Dar-
vile division of the Southern Rnlgag
Il was known that passenger train No.
81 had collided with No. 81, both south
bound, a short distance south of Lynch
burg. 1t was known that several per-
sons had been killed, but it was impos-
sitle to obtain details Lister it was an-
uounced that President Samuel spencer
was one of the victims, rs was slso Mr..
d. Walter Davis, the managing tdsg-
raphsr of the company. Others were
believed to have lost their lives also
President Spencer left Washington
last night in his private car, No. 100,
which was attached to No. SO. Tnis
traia was followed later by No. 81. Both
we're late when they passed this city.
The former generally passes through
this city shortly after 10 O'Clock, aud
No. 81 an hour later
After the rumor of the accident had
been circulated the Southern Railway
issued the following official announce
ment regarding the wreck
"Souihern Railway passenger train
No. SO LETT Washington last night late,
BY reason of congesled holiday traffic.
About $50 today at Lawyers, Va, on
portion of the road protected by block
system, the train stopped for slight re-
pairs to a coupling. Passer ger train No.
81, following No. SO, and being given
clear block, ran into the rear of No. SO,
resulting In serious wreck. Oar present
advices Indicate the collision was prof.
ably due to negligence Of the operator in
allowine No. 81 to pass the block Pres
ident Samuel Spencer, of the Southern
Railway Company, and & party of friends
were in an officers car at the rear Of
No 80, and the reports are that Presi
dent Spencer is killed and several of the
party seriously injured"
Later adgices received BY the Southern
leaves no doubt as 10 the death of Presi
dent Spencer 1t is stated that Mr.
Schuyler, q guest of President Spencer,
WAS also killed Mono of Mr.. Spencer's
family was on the car,
Mr.. ID. Walter Davis, manager Of
telegraphy for the Southern Railway,
who was in the car, was also instantly
killed. It is said that quite number
Of officials and prominent capitalists Who
were in the Spencer car met death when
the crash came All the circumstances 90
to show thal Mr.. Spencer met horrible
death by cremation His private car
was split open aud afterwsrd burned
His body was 50 blackened and charred
that it could not be recognized by his
friends when taken out.
President Spencer Was tho best known
Southern Rsilwsy magnate and had un.
der his direct control one of the largest
railroad systems in the world He wa
right hand man OF J. r. Morgan. Re
vas well-known in Alexandra, he hav-
ing years ago been general superintendent
OF the Virginia Midland Railway before
that road was merged into the Southern
system lie was popular gentleman,
who rad been promoted from one posi-
lion to another by his industry and
genius, aud all who knew him Will re-
gret 10 boar of his death.
Dir. d. Walter Davis was also we'll
known in this sity, where he had many
friends and acquaintance. He leaves q
widow, daughter of Mr +. @, Joyce.
Advices received at the Southern Rail
way Offices indicate that every occupant
Of SIR Speucer's car was either killed or
injured. It is feared that there were
many other casualties.
A special train loaded with physicians
aud nurses left Lynchburg for The scene
OF the wreck as soon az il could be made
up. Following is the official list Of kill
ed, missing aud injured as 81 ven out a.
ll.40;
KILLED.
Samuel Spencer, of Washington,