Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-11-19
Lively Ti,ns At shenandoah junction.

Last Sunday was one OF the most ex-
citing days in the history OF Shenandoah
Junction, all brought about by wreck
on the B. & o. Railroad. Anew moments
after the noon hour an east-bound cattle
train moving at fairly good speed came
in collision with locomotive that was
shifting cars on the same track, and the
result was bad wreck. Both engines
were damaged and the crews more or
less seriously injured, and four or five
cars loaded with cattle were smashed,
throwing the animals in every direction
and causing scene OF indescribsble
confusion. The shifter engine was No.
4237, and the engine drawing the cattle
train was No. 4250. Engineers Edward
Hallam and Roy E. Richardson and Fire
men Duval Harris and w. E. McMullen
were caught in the wreckage and rather
badly hurt, though they escaped fatal in
jury. Fireman Calhoun was seriously
injured, and Conductor Edward Hover
male was thrown against the door of the
caboose with such force that he carried
the door with him and landed several
yards away with three broken ribs. Es-
Gaping steam added TO the danger ofthose
caught in the wreckage.
When the train came to such sudden
stop three or four OF the cattle cars were
smashed and forced over the top OF other
cars. Such believing OF manned and
frightened cattle was never before heard
in that section. Ten or twelve big steers
were killed, about fifteen were injured,
and perhaps forty others were liberated
in frantic condition. The accident oc-
Cured in front OF the station, and as the
cattle struggled from the wreckage and
plunged about the place, perfectly wild
from fright and pain, the situation was
thrilling one. The stampede was not I'M
attended with danger TO the people about
the Junction, for the cattle ran in every
direction and it was long time before
they were under control. Waiting pas
sengers shut themselves up in the station,
but even then they were constantly alarm
ed as a big beet lurched against the rick
ETY. old building or horned head came
dangerously close 10 the doors or win
dows. One or two residents, it is said,
were freed up telegraph poles, while
others surprised themselves by their
speed in running TO shelter when pursued
by an angry bull Some OF the cattle
took to the public roads and others got
into NEARBY fields. Detective Prince ap
peared on the scene and valIantly sought
TO corral big black bull, but the animal
hoisted its tail and made for the officer
in a business like way He was forced
TO draw his revolver and shoot it, but
would probably have been hurt even then
if he had not been extremely active IN
getting over wire tence.
The wrecking crew was sent for from
Brunswick, and it got TO work 10 make
the tracks clear and remove the broken
cars. The Job OF caring for the cattle
was big one, and il was not until Mon
day that they were accounted for. Those
that were unhut were driven 10 DuffieldS
and reloaded. Those that were injured
were sold TO persons OF the neighbour
hood, big, fat steers selling for $40 each.
Farmers OF the neighborhood bought a
number that were not disabled, with the
hope that they could soon get them in
good condition and make a profit from
them. The cattle were fine oeeves, and
had been shipped from Indiana to New
York for immediate slaughter.
The cattle having been shipped from
Indiana, State in which the hoof and
mouth disease prevails, the West Viz
ginia State Board OF Agriculture made an
investigation. DR.. W. A. Coyner, vet
Urinary surgeon, OF ShepherdStown, was
instructed 10 investigate and take such
action as he found necessary. DR.. Coy
ner examined all the cattle, but was I'M
able to find any trace Of the disease.
He was instructed to put under quarantine
those cattle which had been bought
and kept by farmers ofthe nelghoorhoodr
and to disinfect every place where they
had been slaughtered, TO burn objects
that were liable to spread the infection,
and take all necessary steps to prevent
possible outbreak OF the disease. He
has been busy with this work ever since
Sunday.