Marion, VA Train Wrecked Hitting Cow, June 1903

TRAIN STRUCK A COW AND WAS WRECKED -- TWO MEN KILLED.

Bristol, Tenn., 27. -- A southbound passenger train on the Norfolk and Western railway was wrecked two miles east of Marion, Va., late last night. The train struck a cow, throwing the engine from the track. Engineer LEE SPAULDING and Fireman HOOVER, both of Bristol, were instantly killed. Expressmen WOOD and OLEY, of Bristol, were seriously injured, and Expressman A. T. RUCKER, of Bristol, slightly injured. None of the passenger was hurt.

The Mansfield News Ohio 1903-06-27

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WRECK NEAR MARION.

PASSENGER TRAIN THROWN FROM THE TRACK BY A COW -- TWO KILLED.

(Special to The Times-Dispatch)
Marion, Va., June 27. -- At 10 o'clock last night a disastrous wreck, both to life and property, occurred on the Norfolk and Western Railroad about one and a half miles east of Marion. The train was running about one hour late and at a very high rate of speed when the engine struck a cow at the crossing near the county bridge at the Allen place. The engine and tender, together with the express car, baggage car, mail car, and second class car, were hurled from the track, resulting in the immediate death of LEE SPALDING, engineer, and CHARLES HOOVER, fireman.
The express messenger, W. G. OLEY, was seriously injured about his back and body, and B. F. WOOD, the baggageman, was internally hurt. The engine and express car were badly demolished. Although the engine and cars had left the track they continued in the direction of the roadway for at least two hundred yards, then plunged down an embankment from twelve to fifteen feet. The debris is fast being removed and the line is again intact.

Times Dispatch Richmond Virginia 1903-06-28
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!