Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-03-14
Terrible Tragedy at Railroad Crossing.

lefffDie Tragedy AZ kafirOad NrOSSlnx.
A terrible accident o, Cured about 3
O'Clock last Saturday morning near Van
cIevesviIle, by which Mr.. and Mrs. J.
Harry Seiberf, of Ma .ips5iirg, lost their
lives without a NOME nt's warning. Mr..
and Mrs. Seibert had spent Thursday
with friends in Jefferson and Berkeley
counties. He attended Carl Jennings
sale near Kearneysviile, and they stayed
with the family of Mr.. VIM. Cofiinberger
on Rocky Marsh Thursday night. Friday
they were both in Shepherdstown for
awhile, and in the evening went to the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. Charles M. Lemen,
west of town, Where they attended a
party, at which were present number OF
the young folks of the community. The
party broke up between one and two
O'Clock in the morning, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Seioert, with others guests, soon after
ward took their departure. The night
was dark and foggy and cold, and they
bundled themselves up well in their bug
gy, with all the curtains in place. This
probably prevented them from seeing or
hearing the train that was rushing on 10
end their lives. They drove swiftly along
the road tow I'd Martinsburg, and just as
the team got on the b. & o. Railroad
crossing west of Winebrenner'S Cross
Roads the Pitlsbu & express, weSt-bound,
known as train No. H., running down The
grade at speed of more than sixty
miles all hour, struck them with terrific
force. The vehicle was smashed TO
pieces, and the young husband and wife
were hurled many feet ahead TO instant
hQ NH Ch
tinsourg at 2 50, and which was running
~ minutes late, ran on to MartinSourg
before it stopped. The engineer report
ed having struck team, and one OF the
helper engines was sent TO investigate.
The bodies of Mr.. and Mrs. Seibert were
found hundred feet or more from the
crossing. Both were dead. having been
killed instantly by the fearful impact Of
the engine. Though their limbs were
broken and their heads were badly cut,
the bodies were not greatly mutilated. he
railroad men arrived at the scene about
the time Phineas Marshall and Will Sachs.
OF this place, reached the crossing. on
their way from MartinSburg to Shop
herdstown, and Mr.. Marshall helped
identity the dead. The bodies were laid
aside until Coroner Kline arrived, and
later were delivered TO an undertaken,
who prepared them TOR burial. The &C
cident was witnessed by two young men
named Bowers, who were driving right
behind Mr.. and Mrs. Seibert, but they
were so frightened by what they saw
that they didn't stop to investigate, driv-
Ing on to Martinsburg. Mr.. and Mrs.
W. A. Fulk and Miss Fannie Hollis, Of
Martinsburg, drove up about the same
time, and though Mr.. Fulk Wanted 10
stop aud find out the result Of the acct
dent, the lddieS with him were so shock
cd and unnerved that they made him
drive on also. Mr.. Seioert'S horse, which
mad not been hurt, was found standing
near the crossing, and Mr.. Fulk took il on
to town with him.
The fearful accident created much eX-
citement in this section, as Mr.. and Mrs.
oei0eTt were known in both counties.
Mr.. Seibert, who was Is years OF age,
was son OF Luther Selbert, of Hedges
vile district, and for several years had
been engaged in The agricultural imple-
ment business in MartinSburg His wife
was formerly Miss Nora Riner, most
eStlmable young woman, daughter OF Mr..
and Mrs. John H. Riner, Of Berkeley
county She was sister OF Misses Jane
and Maggie Riner, students at Shepherd
College, ShepherdStown, and was p
years OF age. They hau been married
little less than year, and their untlmely
death brought sorrow to wide circle OF
relatives and friends.
Coroner VIM. X. Kline conducted an
inquest on Saturday. After hearing the
evidence in the case, the jury returned a
verdict holding the railroad company
responsible tor the accident, in that the
engineer OF the train, Mark Donaldson,
had not blown the whistle as heapproach-
ed the crossing. Several witnesses tes-
titled that no WhiStled was sounded, but
Engineer Donaldson declared that he
mad blown the whistle.
The funeral OF Mr.. and Mrs. Seibert
was held in MartlnSburg Monday after
noon in the Reformed Church, OF which
both were members. A very large crowd
Of relatives and friends from town and
country were present, hundreds being
unable to lind Abundance TO the church.
The Service was conducted by Rev. /.
r. Cromer, pastor OF the Reformed
Church OF Winchester, assisted by Rev.
4. H. Cannon, OF the Southern Methodist
Church OF Hedgesville. Ii was sad and
impressive scene, and many persons
were profoundly affected. There were
many beautiful floral tributes. After the
service in the church the bodies were
taken to Green Hill Cemetery, where they
were laid to rest in the same grave.