1908 - Many Big Slides Block Traffic

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Roanoke Times - April 3, 1908

MANY BIG SLIDES BLOCK TRAFFIC

Track Walkers Are Doubled On Coalfield Division of Norfolk and Western

   No less than a dozen landslides have been reported at different places
along the Norfolk and Western in the coal fields. There occurred in cuts,
and have resulted in greatly delaying both passenger and freight trains for
the past two days.
   All trains have been ordered to run at a reduced speed and extra track
walkers have been put in many places with orders to be extremely careful
and vigilant.
   The worst slide yet reported in is said to be near Merrimac and others
each requiring at least eight-hours work to be removed, have occurred near
Hatfield, Dry Fork, War Eagle, Lindsay, Wilmore, Thacker, Matewan and
Wilsondale.
   About a hundred unemployed Italian and negro laborers were picked up,
put on a special train and hurried to the coal fields to assist in clearing
the tracks. To this train also was attached private car No. 4, which
carried General Superintendent George P. Johnson and Division
Superintendent E. S. Becker, of the Pocahontas division, to the scene of
the slides in order that they might personally direct the work.
   The washouts, while in several cases are extensive, did not cause any
very serious damage, the principal damage being in delays to traffic.
   The report that a bridge was washed away has not been 
substantiated, and this is thought to be a mistake.
   No. 42 from the West, reached here last night practically on time. 
This train comes from Bristol, and it did not have to pass through 
the territory where the washouts occurred.

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- Ron Davis, Roger Link