Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-09
A sICKENING CASUALTY.
A Hook and Ladder Truck Upset,
killing One Firemou and
wounding Three others.
A Touching Scene over the Fireman's
Lifeless Form.

Last afternoon shortly after six O'Clock
the alarm of fire was sounded causing a
prompt response from the department. The
Hook aud Ladder Company not hearing
the alarm from the Square, ran down
Summer to Broad street and thence I'D
College; while turning across the street car
track at the corner of College street and
the Square the hind wheels of the truck
caught in the rail and failing to turn, upset,
precipitating the colored firemen with fear
full force to the ground. The trucks upset
at this juncture and the fremen were sup
posed to have been caught under the
heavy ladders. While such conjecture
proved untrue, more horrid reality was
the result of the unfortunate accident. The
driver, Edmond Dsmoss, was hurled to the
ground and killed almost instantly, never
speaking after the fatal fall. JEFF Patterson,
the '.steerer" fell with great violence in
front of furniture wagon, one wheel of
which passed over his left arm and hip as
the affiighted horses, no longer restrained
by their terror stricken driver who jumped
from his seat, sped down the street. He
was carried into the Eclipse Fire Hall, near
by, and an examination showed that
in addition to the above injuries his
right ankle was badly sprained. He was
removed to his house South Summer street,
and it Is feared he has sustained internal
injury, the serious character of which is
not vet known. The fire rider Tom Camp
bell, was also thrown into the street and
severely bruised, though not fatally injured,
and John Allen, the captain of the company
in jumping from the truck, received bruise
on the hip. So soon as the terrible accident
became known, the widest excitement pre-
vailed and 1t was manifest that our citizens
were greatly shocked by the unfortunate
occurrence. Demoss was carried to the en-
CINE house few yards from where he fell
and soon large crowd of persons collected,
each eager to view the lifeless form of the
pitied victim whose death was so sudden
and unexpected while in the
discharge of bis duties. The expressions
of regret were indeed sincere as they were
numerous. And why not? Had white
man thus met his death, among his race
there are few who could have abstained
from the utterance of sentiments telling
how deeply deplored was the untimely
summons; though an humble c0lored citi-
zen, yet he was true man, one who knew
his duty and sought its discharge with fear
less pride, even in the face of death. But a
sadder sight was now witnessed. The wife
of Demoss came to the spot where her hus-
band was lying, the pale moonbeams rest
ing on his bloodless brow. Sinking on the
PROSTATE form, her cries were unrestrained
and touching in their wild, grief
tones. At last the poor, bereaVed |
woman tainted from the paroxysms and
had to be conducted home in carriage. |
nj, al
there and sobbing with that keen anguish |
which only the young heart knows in its |
first deep sorrow.
Removing the dead body into the Eclipse |
House, Coroner Everett summoned jury, |
who proceeded to hold an inquest over the |
remains of the deceased. Gen. W. B. Bate,
II. G. Sheetz, John Allen, Mr.. Taylor, and |
G. X. Brown were summoned as witnesses.
Gen. Bate and Mr.. Sheetz were stand
ing on the corner of Deaderick street
when the accident occurred. Gen. Bate
was of the opinion that the accident was
caused by the immense pile of brick on the
square, which the driver and "tiller" en-
deavored to avoid, and in so doing, caused
the truck to upset. MIR. Sheetz thought the
accident was occasioned principally from
the hind wheels coming in contact with the
street railroad track at the corner of Col
lege street and the square, as the rear por
ton of the truck commenced upsetting
first. John Allen was positive that the
railroad track had caused the truck to up
set. and that the brick pile was not in the
way. Mr.. Taylor was on the top of Cal
hOun's building looking down, and ascribed
the accident to the street railroad track.
Browns testimony referred to the manner
in which Demoss seemed to fall from the
truck. DR.. j. D. Winston was called upon
TO examine the dead body with view of
how death was produced, and
In the presence of the jury made an exam
nation. He depo ed IS follows, his testi-
mony being written out:
"Having been called to the dead body of
Edmond Deploss, after removing the hair
found fracture and indentation of the
skull on the right side of the occippital
bone Immediately behind the ear, with
from both ears and nose, evinc-
ng rupture of blood vessels with profuse
internal hemorrhage and pressure of the
brain. No other injuries visible.
"JoHN D. WINSTON"
Afterwards the jury returned their YER
iict in the following words: "That the
'aid Ed. Demoss came to his death while
n the discharge of his duty as driver of the
Hook and Ladder Truck, and on his way
10 the fire in the afternoon Of
Saturday, the Sth of March, near the corner
If the Public Square and College street,
md that his death was caused by the up
etting of the hook and ladder truck, while
making the turn at the said corner and
While moving at moderate speed; the hind
Wheel sliding on the street railroad track
md causing the steersmsn at the tiller to
ose control of the hind part of the truck"
After the inquest was concluded, the de-
eased was removed to his residence. He
eceiyed his appoin' ment in the department
Vhen Alden was Mayor, and has been with
ever since. He was represented to be a
ood driver and always attentive to his du
les. We did not learn but suppose his
lneral will occur to-day. Being a promi-
ent member Of the Sons Of Relief, that
ody will no doubt turn out in large num-