N&W in 1903 -- Accident on Twelve Pole

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ENGINEER AND FIREMAN INSTANTLY KILLED
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BRAKEMAN LATER DIES OF INJURIES
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Another Fireman Thought to Have Been Fatally Injured
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Freight Train Pulls Out of Canterbury, Leaving Conductor With Saving Order Behind, and Collision Results
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    One of the most frightful wrecks in the history of the Norfolk and Western is reported from the Kenova division.
    About 5:30 o'clock Sunday morning two freight trains collided head on near the little station Lenore, and the result was the instant snuffing out of two precious human lives, while a third trainman sustained such fearful injuries that he is reported as having died since, and the fourth and last victim of the disaster is said to be fatally hurt.
    Full details have not reached this city, but from the best information obtainable it seems that the original orders of the east bound freight called for a stop at Canterbury, where the crew were to receive further orders.
    When Canterbury was reached Engineer Fiser [blurred, best estimate] brought the train to a standstill, and the conductor alighted and went into the telegraph office.  Coming out a moment or two later with his new orders, which were to wait at that place (Canterbury) until a west bound freight passed, the conductor was horrified to see his train fast pulling out and already beyond recall.  He made desperate efforts to attract the attention of the engineer, or some member of the crew, but to no avail, and as it was then too late to accomplish anything by telegraphing ahead, could only stand helpless and terror stricken, and watch his train rush on to certain destruction.
    The ill fated train had gone probably five miles when, without a moment's warning, the headlight of the west bound freight flashed in the eyes of the unsuspecting engineer and fireman.  There was no time to apply the brakes or reverse the lever before the two engines crashed together.
    Both engines were literally torn to pieces and about twenty cars were piled in a heap.  Under this mass of wreckage Engineer Charley Mitchell, of the westbound train, was buried, and it said that it was fully two hours before his body could be recovered.  When finally gotten out he was, of course, dead, and it is not thought that he lived a moment after the crash came.
    Frank Sullivan, fireman on the west bound train, had both legs cut off.  He was brought to Williamson, and it is reported that he died there late Sunday evening.
    The fireman on the eastbound train, whose name could not be learned, is said to have been fatally injured.  He was brought to Williamson, where he is receiving surgical attention, but little hope of saving his life is entertained.
    Engineer Fiser escaped serious injury.
    All of the victims were Kenova division men and resided at Portsmouth.
    Engineer Mitchell was a native of Botetourt county, Va., and his remains will be taken to Buchanan, in that county, for interment, passing through here on No. 4 this morning.
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    Why Engineer Fiser pulled his train out of Canterbury without his conductor is a mystery no one seems able to solve.  It is suggested that he probably thought the conductor had gotten aboard and expected to look over the orders later.

Bluefield Daily Telegraph
December 1, 1903

[Lenore, WV was on the old Twelve Pole line between Naugatuck and Kenova.  Inasmuch as Engineer Fiser survived, it would be interesting to learn what he said at the inevitable post-accident formal investigation.]

Gordon Hamilton
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