Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-11-30

a mile of two further south, the
number of dead would have been
frightful as the train was about
two hours behind its schedule and
In the grade there that would have
meant speed Of more than sixty
miles an hour.
1t was at first thought that En-.
gineer Terry, of Spencer, who was in
charge of the engine on the At
lanta train Was killed but this proves
TO be Incorrect. Terry received
only a few slight bruises which
were dressed and did not go to
hospital
Son Found Fathers Body.
Mr. III. e. Spencer, the sixth vice
president of the Southern was pass.
enger on a north bound train from
the south, which reached the scene
or the wreck a few minutes after
it had occurred. He spent several
hours there unearthing the charred
remains of his father which were
taken from under the locomotive
Then came to this city with the
remains of his father and those
of his party.
Uaed M. stevens Car.
The coach containing the corpses
were sidetracked In the yard of
this city. There collins were pro-
cured for them and these were
placed in the private car of Presl.
dent Stevens of the Chesapeake
and Ohio railway. who was passing
through the city. 1t was rendered
LOT that purpose by Mr.. Stevens
lnls car and the one containing
the remains of the killed were at
lached 10 late train going north
ana the remains were transferred
to caskets while the train was in
transit.
Precedes Funeral Train.
Judge John D. Horseiey division
counsel of the company and n gen.
eral superintendent of the companv
OF Danville. are in charge of the
remains, NJ. H. B. Spencer having
proceeded the train on snocjnI
made up here In order to be in
washington upon the arrival of the
regular train.
AT the city hospital all the in.
lured persons are reported tn bn
doing nicely.
All are expected to recover.
Dispatcher Davis Death,
dispatcher Davis was alive when be
was taken from under the wreck. He
was crushed about the lower norton
vi Dody and was considered near his
END. He asked that word be sent TO
ms wife and child. The death of Mr.
Davis was touching He stated to his
rescuer that he knew he was dying
ana Knew that end could not be far
OH, Place your finger on my mouth,
lie said, sit feels SO cold and good"
He pleaded with the gentleman
who was also passenger on the
train. not to leave him and for 10 min
ntes the man stayed with him until he
saw that nothing could be done for
him.
Coroner Did NOT See Bodies.
county Coroner j. w. Davis, at the
request of the Southern officials went
this afternoon to the scene of the
wreck for the purpose of holding an
inquest, but he found that the bodies
had been removed before his arrival
He returned to his home in the SUI
burbs and tonight could not say what
steps would be taken tomorrow.
Question of Responsibility.
The Jacksonville express had the
right of way in the block when engine
left the train and was two miles be-
yond Lawyer before the engineer no.
ticed he was without his train. 1t may
be that when he passed Lawyers that
the operator there gave Rangoon n
clear without noticing whether or not
the rear end markers were to be seen
before he did so.
In the absence of an official state
ment. excepting that the operator at
Rangoon was at fault. that statement
is being accepted here.
Will Receive an Investigation.
1t Is possible that railway investi-
cation will iivulge that the Rangoon
operator let the Atlanta train into the
block on a notice from Lawyer that
the block was clear. the operator there
thinking the trainless engine cleared
the block, and the rear train had pass
ed Rangoon before it could be stop
ped, when the mistake was discover
ed. The other statement is that Law
yer gave q clear track after the en-
CINE had passed his station without
noticing the rear end markers. then
the cause of the accident was at Law
yers and not at Rangoon. Only an Of
fetal investigation will reveal the
cause.
Operator Disappears.
At Z O'Clock 1t was ascertained from
official source that the operator at
Rangoon who was on duty at the time
of accident has disappeared and he
cannot not be found although railways
officials have made an effort to locate
him.
Details Of Collision.
The collision was between train
number SO, the Jacksonville Express
and number 81, the Washington AID
Southwestern Vestibuled Limited,
both southbound. The heavy engine
of the Southwestern train plowed in