The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-30

KNOWN 10 BE Deau -bouies hhhcn ~
washingto on Fast Train. After Getting
signals Indicating clear Track rom
Block signal Operator. Plunged Into
Rear OF Train Halted 10 Make Repairs
10 Coupling Heroic work Of Passen.
gers saves the Injured from Flames
Accident Happened q the Best Train
on the System and on the Best Built
and Best Guarded Part or the Road.
LYNcHBURo. Va, Nov. 2s.-The New
York and Florida Limited train Of the South
ern Railway, which left Washington at
1920 last evening, carrying Samuel Spencer,
president Of the Southern Railway, and a
party Of guests, including Gen. Philip
Schuyler of New York, was run into at
$50 this morning near La wyer station,
fourteen miles south of L~ynchburg, by
the first section OF the Southwestern Limited,
following it south.
President Spencer's car, which was at
the rear OF the first train, was smashed
into kindling wood. President Spencer,
who was asleep in his berth at the time,
was no doubt instantly killed, as was Gen.
Schuyler.
At least five other persons lost their lives.
two Of whom were guests Of Mr.. Spencer.
As is common in rear end collisions, fire
was added to the horror OF the wreck and
most OF the bodies were badly burned.
President ~Spencer's body was found
under the engine OF the second train. upon
which was heaped the debris Of the private
oar.
The fire had reached the body, burning
II somewhat but not beyond recognition.
The bodies Of the other members OF the
party who lost their lives we're found deep
down in the debris.
The accident, the worst that has occurred
on the Southern road in many years and
practically unparalleled in railway accident
history in that it cost the life OF the president
of the road on which it occurred seems to
rave been due to a mistake by the operator
OF the block signal at Rangoon, four miles
nOTtn Oh the sCtut VI luc hNCiNCh's III y
the second train through before his block
was cleared.
Mattox, the operator. has disappeared.
STOPPED FOR REPAIR.
The Florida train had stopped in the
block to repair a damaged coupling and
was standing still when the second train
came along at a high speed. The erring
operator, il is reported, has not been found
vet. The railroad officials are at a loss to
understand how he came TO let the South
western Limited through. The Jackson
Vile train became detached from the engine
on the crest Of a steep grade one mile north
Of the Lawyer block station and the engine
proceeded two miles before the engineer
stopped TO return 10 get his train, thus
having passed the block twice in doing so.
The accident could not have happened at
a worse place. and it was some time before
medical men and a relief crew could get to
the scene from ~Lynchburg. In the mean
time fire had consumed three OF the cars
and had made the distress OF the wounded
all the worse.
The train to which President spencer's
car was attached was one OF the best on
the road. The accident also happened
on what has been regarded as one OF the
best and safest sections Of the road. It
was thoroughly protected by a block signal
system.
Mr.. Spencer and his guests were bound
for Greensboro, n. C.. IN a business
and pleasure trip. They had expected to
reach there At $50 this morning. With
Mr.. Spencer az his guests were Gen. Philip
Schuyler, Charles d. Fisher OF Baltimore
and Frank T. Redwood, also of Baltimore.
They expected while on the trip TO do some
quail shooting at Friendship, N. c..
Besides these there were with the party
Mr.. Spencer's private secretary, F.. A. Mer-
rll of Roselle, ". j.. and d. Watt Davis, a
special telegraph operator taken along
by President Spencer.
The private car OF Mr.. Spencer was known
as No. 100 and had no name. II was of
the usual type of railroad presidents cars
built by the Pullman company, with an
observation room at the rear. Next to
this room was Mr.. Spencer's stateroOm and
rooms for the other guests. 1t was as
strong a car a. the Pullman company builds
but not strong enough TO Withstand the
impact OF a locomotive going at full speed.
TRAIN BEHIND TIME.
President Spencer and Gen. Schuyler
left New York yesterday afternoon and
were joined at Washington by Mr.. Fisher
and Mr.. Redwood. When the train left
Washington il wal made up Of the pri-
vate car, two Pullman sIeepers, two day
coaches n a baggage car. The train
was half an hour late leaving Washington.
Ordinarily IL should lave left there at $50.
1t did not pull out until 1920, the reason be-
ing the usual holiday rush, which caused