August 18, 1876
A water-spout struck the Virginia Midland railroad near Melver's station yesterday morning, carrying away a culvert and leaving a gap into which a freight train was precipitated. The engineer and a brakeman were killed. A special dispatch to the Baltimore Sun says of the accident: "The train to which the disaster occurred was an empty train of twelve cattle cars which left Gordonsville to load with cattle at Lynchburg and beyond, for Baltimore last night. The accident occurred about 2 o'clock this morning. The engine was overturned and the whole train wrecked, twelve cars being mashed up. In addition to the two fatalities several of the train hands are injured, but none of them seriously. The wreck still encumbers the track and will somewhat delay the movement of trains. Charles Keys, the engineer, who was killed, resided in Alexandria for some time, and is brother-in-law of Mr. Wm. King, residing on Cameron street, near Patrick. He is a native of Prince William county, and has of late resided in Gordonsville, where he leaves a family. Anderson has also resided at Gordonsville.
This was Charles M. Keys, son of Thomas and Lucy (Wright) Keys, who was married to Musie D. King in 1867 and left 3 children.
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