February 28, 1889 — When the northbound passenger train on the S.V.R.R, last Friday night, was within a mile of Bentonville it came in collision with a flat car loaded with railroad bars, which had in some way got off the siding at Bentonville and was making its way south on the main track at a high rate of speed.
The passenger train was running about 35 miles an hour, and the crash as the two came together was heard for five miles. The engine, tanker and express car was turned upside down, and went together down an embankment.
The engineer and fireman were severely scalded by the escaping steam, and the express messenger received a slight cut on the head. No passengers were uninjured.
We have not been able to learn how the freight car got on the main track. We doubt whether any railroad in the state has as good a record as to accidents as the Shenandoah Valley. It has been running for eight years, and so far as we know has never hurt a passenger.
Dr. Hudson, the Railroad Co.’s surgeon, was at once summoned by telegraph, and reached the scene of the disaster in a short time on the wrecking train, and gave attention to the injured fireman and engineer.
~ From the public archives of the Page News and Courier
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