The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-23
ALERT Amelia MAN
AVERTs TRAIN WRECK
Found Broken Rail and Stopped
Train Just in Tirne-Mend
Track Sunday.
Especial TO The Times Dispatch. }


AMELIA C. H.. VA. January 22.-On
Sunday, a. p. NJ. while Mr.. Ollie s.
Allen was walking on the Southern Rail-
road track, three miles south OF Amelia,
he discovered a broken rail in the track.
His attention was directed to 1t by Il
short piece OF the rail at the point where
two rails join being out OF position. On
closer examination Mr.. Allen found the
piece, about six inches long, broken
loose. and that he could remove 1t from
the track. which he did. Looking at his
watch, he realized that 1t was nearly time
for the northbound train from Charlotte,
n. c., the southbound train having passed
over this track about an hour before.
Mr. Allen at once determined to wait
and stop this train, II possible, as there
was not time for him to reach either
Amelia or Jetersville before the north
bound train was due. In about thirty
minutes tho train came laundering on at
full. speed Mr.. Allen waved his hand
kerchlef. The engineer gave one short
loot OF the whistle. but Mr.. Allen waved
again. and, STOPPING. picked up tho short
piece of rail from the track. The engi-
neer saw this movement and recognizing
danger. brought the train to a stop. In
a few moments the engineer, fireman.
conductor and many passengers were on
the spot. and realized what a narrow
escape they had made.
The piece OF rail was replaced. Mr..
Allen was greeted and thanked by all. and
taken aboard the train. which passed
very slowly over the gap in the track.
and brought to Amelia. Teiegraphic COM
munication with the Richmond Office soon
brought orders for Captain w. r. King.
the sectionmaster OF this division, to go
to the place Of tho accident, known as
Jordan's Cut and repair the damage.
Not being able to collect the railroad
hands on Sunday evening. Captain King
got up crew OF citizens. Mr.. Allen
among them. Needing a rail- they took
one from the switch track at this place.
and soon the novices were pumping the
hand-car along to the place to repair
the damage Being unused to the work.
they had to stop and rest, but after n
while reached the place and took ont
the broken rail- and inserted the rail taken
from the switch track.
Captain King had asked that all trains
be stopped at the courthouse and at
Jetersville till he reported safe. which
was done. Coming back. he secured an
old rail and replaced the one taken
from the switch track. Mr.. Allen says
the sills from which they took up the
broken rail and put down the other rail
were very unsound. and the spikes could
not get safe hold. 1afa
Mr.. ". j. Townes. a resident here.
says he knows the stills under the track
beyond Jetersville are in very bad condi-
ton.
The recordation of deeds at the Amelia
clerks office is remarkable. In 1906 there
were 70S deeds recorded. and up to the
18th OF January, 1907. thirty three deeds
had been recorded for the new year
There are twelve felony cases to be
tried at next court, and among them
three murder cases and one for house,
burning. Court convenes on Thursday,
January 24th. Judge Walter A. Watson
will preside.