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Voices from Lost at Thaxton
Tandy Jones
I was greatly surprised to hear that an accident had occurred at this culvert, as I regarded it as one of the safest on the line.
Henry N. Martin
The wrecked cars burned with a fierceness that could not have been equaled if every stick of timber had been soaked in oil.
Annie Fishpaugh
In the morning we found that there were four or five houses around the wreck. We screamed and the men yelled, but nobody seemed to have come to our relief. With all the noise I don’t see why those people could sleep, anyhow
W.J Barksdale
I will not leave, ladies, until I see you all safe; I am a Virginian.
Fred Dexter
The shrieks and groans of the imprisoned victims could be distinctly heard from the bank.
Major Henry N. Martin
I have stood on the battlefield, and heard shot and shell rattling around me, and seen my comrades falling like leaves in autumn, but I have never seen anything that curdled my blood with horror or moved me to deeper depths of compassion than the scenes of that dreadful night.
Stephen Hurt
There never was such a rain fell on me to my recollection. Yes, sir, it was a scary time.
James C. HillVirginia Railroad Commisioner
Little pieces of bodies could be seen, and were gathered in, and in some cases ashes, though most of the burned bodies in the shape of ashes had been washed away.
Joseph SandsN&W General Manager
We have no knowledge of Mr. H. B. Wheeler whatsoever. If he was on the train that was wrecked he has not been accounted for, and I presume has been lost. His body has not been recovered, but may have been burned in the wreck.
Stephen Hurt
It rained so it looked like it would take my breath away.
James C. HillVirginia Railroad Commisioner
When I visited the scene you could not find wood enough to make a door, so complete had been the wash away and consumption by fire.
Rev. C.D Flagler
We may not know where their ashes slumber, but God himself will keep a faithful watch over their sacred dust.
James T. Chilton
The air was very still when I came out and the rain was coming down very steadily, but from the direction of the mountain, I heard very distinctly a very loud noise, a heavy rumbling in the clouds, that sounded something like an earthquake.
Stephen Hurt
I just stayed there and did not know what to do, but just think on the Lord and asked him to spare me.
L.S. Sisson
It was different from any rain I ever saw in its violence, and duration.
J.F. Temple
I never passed through a more terrible experience in my life, and I assure you I have no desire to participate in such another.
John W. Scott
It was the most horrible thing I ever witnessed.
W.H. Ford
The first I recollect when I came to my senses I was halloing for help.
Irene Jackson
Oh, to see the wounded—all is a picture before me continually, and I never will again travel in the night.