Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-05-27

leaving the Washington Terminal
yards about II o'clock Saturday night
engine 2121 drawing the train left
the rails and Engineer Charles H.
Burch, OF this city, who was in charge
was thrown from his cab and killed.
The fireman, Howard Cramblitt, Of
baltimore, jumped and escaped with
Slight injuries about the head a1d
arms.
Scores of passengers were pitched
forward in their seats by the sudden
stopping of the train, and a panic fol-
lowed when the noise Of the escaping
steam from the derailed engine was
heard.
Just what caused the accident is not
knwn, but II is charged to a broken
rail in the Terminal yards.
No. IA was late leaving here Satur
day night and Engineer Burch left his
home town for the last time about
S:4S. He made a good rum to Wash
lngto1 and left there for Baltimore
about ten minutes late.
When the engine reached a point a
short distance south of the tower 1t
suddenly left the track and careened
and the lurch of the engine to the left
is supposed to have thrown the engi-
neer from his cab and he was struck
by the baggage car when 1t passed and
his body was found a few feet back of
the trucks of the car.
Tho oipn did turn nxrar btYf
sunk the driving wheels into the road
bed where the wheels continued to
Tevolve until the steam was shut off
The passengers on the train were
not aware for time that the acct
dent had been so serious as the train
came to a stop without further dam
age. Another engine was Secured and
the delayed train taken on it's way to
Baltimore.
II the meantime the remains OF the
dead engineer were taken care Of and
removed to an undertaking establish
ment to be prepared for burial.
Sunday morning coroner's jury
was sworn in over the dead body and
hearing was held to-day when YER
dict will be rendered.
Engine 212t, one of the heaviest on
the Baltimore and Ohio road, it is
said. had turned over some months
ago at the same spot where the acct
dent occurred Several of the rail
road employees recalled the prior ac-
cident. Had the engine been running
at high rate of speed it would UNI
doubtedly have demolished the tower
and gone over am embankment. AS
it was, the engine stopped within
about twenty feet of the tower.
The remains OF Engineer Burch
were brought from Washington to this
city Sunday evening on train No. l
and, in charge of Undertaken Wien,
were taken to his late home at GIG
North Queen street.
Engineer Chas. H. Burch was born
near Frederick Md, As years ago, his
birthday being the goth Of the present
month. When IS years cid he come to
Martinsburg and entered the employ
Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
For the past 20 years he ran a passen-
ger engine and was one of the best
and most popular engineers on the
road. His sad death at the prime of
life has caused widesrread sorrow in
this city, where he was universally es-
teemed He was regarded as one of
the best citizens in North Martins
burg and he will be much missed.
", Tfsafr ,arolsar
Of the Brc therhoOd OF Locomotive En-
gineers, and for the past 70 years he
was chairman Of the executive COM
mittee Of the local division of the
brotherhood. He was also a member
Of Robert White Masonic lodge, which
will have charge of the funeral.
Mr.. Burch is survived by his wife,
who was Miss Sallie Moler, this city,
and two oh ldren: F. Glen Burch, at
h me- and Mrs. Ellsworth Kaufman,
Of Thomas. w. Va; also the following
brothers and sisters: Thomas, of Rod
emers, w Va John of Washington:
James D., this city; Mrs ]. H. Smith
and Mrs. R. B, Frazier, OF Terra Alta;
Mrs. I. n. Smith, of Eakles Mill. Md,
and Mrs. Jane Stunkel, of Washington
Junction, Md.
The funeral will be held tomorrow,
! Tuesday, at 2:S0 o. m. in the United
brethren church, Rev. DIR. w. F. CRU
YER officiating. Interment in Green
Hill cemetery.
Verdict Returned by Washington Jury
Washington, May ga verdict Of
unavoidable accident was returned by
the coroner's jury which held an in
quest Monday over the death of Chas.
H. Burch the engineer who met death
Saturday night when a Baltimore and
Ohio train was partially derailed. The
testimony at the inquest was given by
members OF the train crew and a
| track official