Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-09-12

Probably the most youthful self-con.
fessed train wrecker in the worlds Frank
Fleeks, diminutive negro boy, whose
home is near Briggs, and who was brought
to Jail at Benyville last Saturday by Dep
uty Sheriff Lupton and Special Agent E.
G. Baldwin, of the Baldwin-Felts forces.
The details leading up to his arrest make
an interesting little story.
On the afternoon of October 3. 1911.
northbound local freight was wrecked at
Old Chapel. Conductor Webster L. Ben
der, of Hsgerstown, was so badly scald'.
ed that his death ensued in a short time.
Engineer Baumgardner, Firemen Cole
and Brakeman Laconia were all injured,
the most serious being Cole, whose death
was expected for several days. But his
physical condition wiihstood the effects
of the injuries, aud he recovered.
AT that time the investigation Of The
railroad authorities failed 10 lind any rea-
sonable excuse for the wreck, II merely
being found that the engine had "climb-
ed' the rails on a straight track. and,
when the nearby curve was reached. the
train was piled up in the ditch, with fatal
results to the conductor. as well as the
demolishing of a valuable LOT Of rolling
stock. No cause being ascertained as to
why the wreck occurred. and the train
crew sticking 10 the story that, while nan-
ming at good speed, il was not excessive
and should not have caused the wreck.
the affair was finally charged up to
"Cause unknown"
On August Is, 1912. the southbound
passenger train, due at Beuyville at 9.05.
was wrecked near the same spot as the
freight wreck OF last October. In this in
stance the ability and prompt action OF
the engineer prevented any fatalities. as
he applied his emergency brakes In an
instant and prevented the train from fol-
lowing the engine from the rails. Alter
hard work for a short time, the engine
was gotten back on the rails and proceed
ed on its way.
Agent Baldwin was detailed TO look into
the matter. Suspicion pointed to Frank
Fleeks, and when he was accused ofguilt
he confessed that he had placed broken
spike between two rails and caused the
wreck. As no great damage had been
done, the railway authorities agreed that
a good whipping and warning should
be administered. The boys mother
agreed TO this, but saying that she was
physically unable 10 administer the whip
ping asked Agent Baldwin to do Il for
her, This was done. Later the boy
was asked il he knew anything about the
freight wreck In which Conductor Ben
der was killed, and II he had placed OBJ
strIctions upon the track at any other
time, he confessed that he had placed a
spike between two rails and caused the
freight wreck, and that he had also placed
distractions upon the track at other tines
"lust to see what would happen" Said
he didn't want 10 hurt anybody, though.
He was taken 10 the scene OF the freight
wreck and asked TO point out the exact
spot where he had placed the spike, and
did so. He again repeated the confes-
sion and pointed out the place In the
presence OF Mr.. Thomas p. Spaies, who
lives at Old Chapel. Then for the third
time, he detailed the affair In the pres
ence Of Deputy Sheriff Lupion.
The boys mother claims that he Is
nine years old, while the railway officials
claim that he Is eleven years old. he
was brought TO Benyville, and hearing
was had before Justice John 7. Crow on
Saturday afternoon, In the presence Of a
large crowd, who viewed the proceedings
with interest. CommonweaItt's Attor-
ney Lewis appeared for the prosecution.
while the miniature defendant was rep
resented by Attorney r. b. Whiting.
The Commonwealth urged that the pris-
oner be sent TO the reformaiory, while
the defense urged that his youth barred
any conviction or incarceration In the re-
iormatory. Judge Crow took the matter
under consideration nntil Monday, when
he announced his decision TO send the
boy to the Reform School.--ciark Cour-
Ter.