Thomas J. Purvis

Thomas Jefferson Purvis (January 12, 1861 – February 15, 1903) was a 42-year-old locomotive engineer who was killed, along with fireman Walter Wigginton, when the New York and Florida Express train number 33 was deliberately derailed by Robert J. Hamilton on the Southern Railway near the Ravensworth Station early on the morning of February 15, 1903.[1][2][3][4]

The train was derailed by deliberately directing it onto a spur track at Ravensworth, which required Hamilton to break off the switch lock and throw the switch, as well as deliberately put out a signal light on the track.[1] Hamilton had been arrested and twice tried for trying to wreck a Chesapeake and Ohio train, the Fast Flying Virginian, in December 1897, but had not been convicted.

It is likely Hamilton mistook the Southern train for a Chesapeake and Ohio train due at about the same time, but the Southern train was running late.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "FATAL WRECK PLANNED." The Washington Post (1877-1922): 2. Feb 16 1903. ProQuest. Web. 20 Feb. 2017. Note: Engineer's name incorrectly given as John Purvis.
  2. ↑ "Investigating Railway Wreck." Evening Star.:10 (Washington, D.C.), 17 Feb. 1903. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. 20 Feb. 2017.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Verdict of Guilty." Alexandria Gazette. (Alexandria, D.C.), 22 April 1903. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
  4. ↑ "VERDICT OF MURDER." The Washington Post (1877-1922): 5. Apr 22 1903. ProQuest. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.