Library Book Van Smashed in a Railroad Wreck

Library Book Van
Smashed in a Railroad Wreck-
Mr. Thomas Escapes Serious Injury

The delivery wagon of the Washington County Free Library, this city, was struck by a southbound freight train on the N. & W. railroad at St. James this morning and demolished. Joshua Thomas, janitor at library, who was driving the team, was thrown out and injured. He had a remarkable escape from being killed or seriously injured. The two horses drawing the wagon broke free when the train struck it and ran away, but they were caught after running several hundred yards.

The accident occurred at the crossing, near the residence of Samuel Wroe. Mr. Thomas left Hagerstown this morning with the team to deliver books in that section of the county and was driving across the railroad tracks when the accident occurred. He could not see the train approaching owing to trees along the track and the rumble of the train was drowned by the noise made by the wagon.

The horses had crossed the tracks and the wagon was just passing over when the engine hit it between the wheels. The wagon was completed wrecked and Mr. Thomas was thrown about twenty feet away from the track. Though suffering from the severe shock, he was able to get up but complained of his back. He was taken to the residence of Mr. Rowes(?) and Dr. V. M. Reichard, who was in Hagerstown, was summoned to attend him. Aside from the injury to his back, he is not believed to be seriously hurt. It was first thought that he had been injured internally. Later Mr. Thomas was brought to his home here, and is suffering from bruises about his body.

The books were scattered for some distance over the ground and some of them damaged. The horses tore loose with the tongue of the wagon and ran some distance down the road before they were stopped. They were not injured.