Research Topic

Accidents

Although frequently occurring, accidents tied to labor were often only documented briefly, if at all, in newspapers and scattered records. These brief accounts offer some of the only available documentation of the risks faced by working-class families in Jefferson County, West Virginia.

This topic appears in 150 indexed records between 1817 and 1965.
150 Indexed Records
1817 Earliest Record
1965 Latest Record
Bakerton Strongest Location
Explore Records

Explore Records

November 18, 2025

Greenhodge/wood Crushed To Death

Fatal Railroad Accident.HARPER’S FERRY, May 18– 6 P. M.We have again to inform you of another fatal accident on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad this afternoon, near this place. A man named Jacob Greenhodge, or Greenwood, […]
November 18, 2025

Priestly, Fatal Accident

FATAL ACCIDENT.– As a man named Joseph Priestly, of Harper’s Ferry, in company with several persons, were going up the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, by some misstep he was precipitated over a ravine some ten feet […]
November 18, 2025

Railroad Bridge Collapse

RAILROAD ACCIDENT.– We regret to state that about five o’clock yesterday morning, while a burden engine, without any lading attached, was passing over the railroad bridge at Harper’s ferry, one of the spans of the bridge […]
November 18, 2025

Church Fire

A letter from Harper’s Ferry, Va., states that the new church near Jefferson’s rock was consumed by fire on the night of the 7th inst. The flames originated in a school room.
November 18, 2025

Cromwell, Killed At Harpers Ferry

DISTRESSING ACCIDENT.– Mr. James Cromwell, of Kentucky, when on his way homeward, stepped from the cars at Harper’s Ferry, on the 6th inst. and unfortunately fell from a bridge over a precipice of 15 or 20 […]
Time Periods

Time Period Concentration

This topic appears most frequently during the following decades.

1890s 34 records
1910s 30 records
1900s 24 records
1930s 14 records
1830s 9 records
1880s 9 records