Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-03-10
From Daily Chronicle, March 6.
THAT RAILROAD ACCIDENT.
Statement of Some of the Parties who
were Present. .....


Statement of Some of the Parties who
were Present.
The sad news of the terrible fate Of
Engineer Davy Holloway, as given in
our special dispatch yesterday morn
ing, was the general topic of converse.
ton yesterday morning, and quite a
crowd gathered at the depot to gather
further particulars.
We met Conductor Gilmore, who had
charge of the train, the engine of
which was wrecked, and got from him
the following report: He arrived yes
terday evening ut the bridge in ques-
ton and found it not quite completed.
he reported to Roadmaster Benson,
that some of his repairs on the road
some three miles back were giving
way, aud were not safe for trains to
pass over, when Mr.. Benson sent a
number of men back with Elmore's
train to make the necessary repairs.
Conductor Gilmore, however, remain
ing.
He came to the bridge q half mile
this side, where Road Master Moore
and Capt. Jaques were trying "A bridge
they had just completed by running
a loaded flat car over it, and finding It
give somewhat, Mr.. Moore said he
would not risk an engine on his bridge
until he had further braced it. About
this time they could see that the train
had returned, and hearing the engin-
eer whistle off brakes, some one re
marked Benson is going to try his
bridge with the engine, to which Mr..
Gilmore replied, he certainly is not
going to do that, but looking they
could see the engine advancing, and
having fairly gotten on the bridge, the
headlight suddenly disappeared and
the crash was heard, every one turn
ing as white AS sheet. Rushing
there and the true condition of affairs
being seen, Capt. Jaques was seen to
weep like a child.
The general opinion is that Road
master Benson is at fault in urging the
unfortunate man to attempt to cross
the bridge. 1t is stated that Mr.. Arm
bruster, master of car repairs, pro.
uounced the bridge unsafe until better
braced, but that Mr.. Benson insisted
it was safe. Engineer Holloway hesi-
tated about making the attempt, and
ly called upon to cross by Mr.. Benson,
who was on this side of the creek /.
Finally the engine was cut loose from
the train, and the engineer insisted on
Jourdon Smith (the fireman) leaving
the engine, stating that if there was
any danger one man was enough to be
killed. The fireman did not wish TO
leave him, but the engineer insisted,
and hainCr alnna ha OF rod ,,, hi ,,o,,I
Gus and last trip. As soon as the en-
CINE and tender had fairly gotten on
the bridge it gave way suddenly, and
the poor man was hurled into eternity.
Before reaching the water he whis-
tied on brakes. The above we gather.
ed from different parties who were
near the scene, and from parties who
had IA conversation with Smith, the
fireman. We failed to see Mr.. Smith,
althougN inquiring for him, but sup
pose "" tve given about the facts of
the ca
Mr.. i more went down aud examin-
ing, fouId that the body could not be
extricatrd without the assistance of
physician. which were at once pro-
cured, ana the body, horribly mangled
he ha>' z been caught between the
engine a. 4 tender-being extricated,
il was p red in the coffin taken there
toy Mr., II xsie early yesterday morn
z, amr ne remains were brought to
Rockville, when they were taken to
The residence of the sorrow.stricken
wife.
Mr. Holloway was member of the
Broad Street NJ. f. Church, South,
having united with that church du-
ring the last revival, aud since lived a
CONSTANT christian life. He was a
high-toned gentleman and beloved by
all who knew him. Every engine in
the Round House was draped in
mourning yesterday evening. He
leaves wife and a large circle of
friends to mourn his loss.