Evening journal., 1909-02-23
Pinned Beneath Trunks.

gage car and mail car were crumpled to-
gether as the Norfolk express crashed
into the two locomotives OF the N r., Y.
and N. railroad on the main track ahean.
In one end OF the baggage car was the
priced trick horse Trixle, the marvel Of
the equine world and admired by all who
had seen her wonderful stunts. As the
collision occurred Trixie evidently was
hurled against the door OF the baggage
car. Then came the deluge OF pieces of
baggage. Trunks. suit cases and other
baggage were hurled about the car by the
impact and evidently Engineman Davis
and Baggagemaster McCready and Ex-
press Messenger Perry were pinned be-
meath the flying articles. Even If they
freed themselves OF these weighty ar
ticles their way was barred by Trlxie
whose body lay against the door. Then
came the flames. probably caused by the
lamps within the car, and to this some
think was added the fury OF exploding
rockets.
No Means From Within.
Yardmaster HURT and a force of rail-
road men Immediately dashed to assist
those in the pyre car. Within fifteen
minutes they had cut their way into the
car. The bodies of the imprisoned men.
charred and still I'm death, were found
near the door. Not human sound was
heard by the rescuers from within the car.
When they did cut and battle their way
inside death in horrible form had claimed
the seven men within the two cars.
Whether they were stunned or killed be-
fore the flames reached the men will never
be known. Suffice 1t was TO the rescuers
to find the charred forms of the seven
men, burnt beyond recognition. II was a
sight that caused every man to well up
with tears. and many of them were hardy
veterans. OF the railroad service who had
seen mut1ated victims OF the rail many
times before.
Trouble of Identification.
One by one the blackened corpses were
removed to a little charnel house along
side the rails. Into this little building not
more than five feet wide and about twelve
feet long were placed the seven bodies.
Then the door was locked TO keep the
morbid and curious from beholding the
gruesome sight within.
So disfigured were the bodies. with the
features obiterated beyond recognition,
that relatives OF the seven victims had a
most difficult time in identifying them
Engineman Davis was identified by a pc
culiar ring he wore. and Wilhelm's iden-
tihcation was accomplished in the same
manner One man was identified by his
shoes, which remained even though his
legs and body were burned 70 crisp.
Undertaken Marvel Of Delmar took charge
OF the bodies at the request OF Coroner
Griffin in the afternoon. and the remains
were prepared for shipment to the late
homes OF the men who lost their lives.
Ropes Kept Crowd Back.
Shortly after the wreck occurred ropes
were stretched about the scene to prevent
the encroachment OF the crowd Uttered
about the tracks for a distance were rem
nants of letters, sheets OF music that be-
longed to the orchestra of the Trixie
Theatrical Company, pieces Of mail bags
and articles that had been stored in the
express car. Men were put TO work gather
ing up everything Of value while wreck
ing crews and a large force OF men start
ed 70 open the main tracks. Shortly after
the collision the passenger and Pullman
cars OF the Norfolk express were hauled
out Of danger from the flames and were
taken by another track past the wreclage
and continued their way to the South. Be-
fore the trip was resumed canvass of
the passengers was made to learn whether
many had been hurt. It is surprising that
many persons scarcely felt the shock OF
the collision. but some excitement was
caused BY an excited passenger dashing
through the train and crying that it was
on fire. The alarm this created was soon
allayed. however.
Superintendent Whitney in Command
Superintendent Whitney, Trainmastei
John u. Book and other high officials ar.
sonally took command of the situation
John Gordy Of the railroad police OF VIII
mington and other officers Of the railroad
police force patroled along the ropes and
prevented the crowd getting too close. Il
was noon before the greater part Of th'
wreckage had been cleared away and tn,
twisted and rent locomotives and th'
trucks OF the burned cars were gotten en-
tirely out Of the way The body OF Trixie
the educated horse. lay on the floor OF th'
destroyed baggage car There we're man,
narrowing scenes when attempts wer'
made TO identify the victims of the ac
cident and Il was a most difficult problem
TO decide who some Of the victims were
AS a matter OF fact. there was mucl
doubt about some OF them up TO nightfan
Stuck to Their Post.
The bravery OF Engineer Ewing an,
Fireman Esham in sticking TO their post
until the crash came was commented ol
by persons on all sides. The daring en-
gineer and fireman stuck to their post
until their locomotive nosed its way int
the big locomotive of the n. Y. p. an,
~ road. Just ahead OF them. They hard
" saw the locomotive obstructing thel
progress until they were on top Of II
Utilizing every means at their commanl
they clapped on all the brakes, but the.
were too near to avert the crash. Whe
the impact did come and not until then
did Ewing and Esham leap. Some o
Ewings teeth were knocked out and h
was badly jolted. but he was able 70 re-