Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-05
THOMPSOS's FATAL BLUADER.


AuuAhNAAAD AeAAaOAA W0H O0aAC0
The Louisville Courier.Journa of yes
terday thus explains the cause Of Satur'
days disaster on the Louisville railroad:
Mr.. A. B. Thompson, the assistant
train dispatcher of the road, was in
charge Of the Lonisyille Office, which
controls the movements Of trains, when
the accident occurred. The morning
train, which starts from Louisville to.
ward Nashville, arrived at Sonora at go
p M, and the morning train which starts
from Nashville for Louisville arrived at
Upton at l:50 pm. The accident oe-
CURED between Sonora aud Upton, one
mile this side of the latter place. Had
the train starting from Louisville been
detained OF Sonora, or the other train at
Upton, the collision could not have &C.
CURED. Between Upton and Sonora
there are no Geographic stations, aud
when once a train is started from either
place it is an utter impossibility TO
stop it.
Mr.. Thompson, ID report says, tele-
graphed to Sonora for the train to 60 on,
aud shortly after he had done so the
terrible truth flashed upon him that a
train was coming in a counter direction
between the two places. he was utterly
helpless 10 the matter TO do anything,
and he realized at once that a collision
was inevitable, but he Wal bound hand
and foot, so to speak, and could only
await the fatal result, which be alone
knew must come. His feelings, under
the circumstances, can be better i'm
agined than described. In conversation
With a friend Saturday night be ssys a
feeling OF irresistible hopelessnes came
over him at the idea that he could do
nothing to avert the collision. Mr..
~Thompsou's mental condition since the
occurrence has been terrible, and be has
never ceased approaching himself, al
though, as it was not his intention to
wreck the lives Of the people on the
trains, he SHOULD consider himself
blamabls only SO far Us making a mis-.
take is concerned.
What makes it look more like a fatal.
ity is that Mr.. Thompson was going to
Chicago to visit some relatives, and had
gotten on the car, when he was called
back to attend to some important bust.
ness. 1t was perhaps in this disturbed
condition OF mind that he made the mis-
take. The reason why he was recalled
is that Mr.. Metcalie, the chief dispatcher
of the road, was sent down the road to
look after the accident which had oc.
Cured the night before, and Mr.. Thomp.
son, being his chief assistant, had to
take his place, though be volunteered so
to do.
There is a kindly feeling for him all
over the city, for be is a clever, afable
gentleman, and has been the trusted ser.
want Of the road for seven years.
D~IsPATCHER's sUFFERIYGs.
When the accident occurred Mr..
Thompson went to the Office Of Superin.
tendent Rowland. it is said, to resign.
he did not ses Mr.. Rowland, and has
remained at his b~oarding-place since,
suffering fearful anguish. Another &C.
count is given as to
THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH.
It is learned that in the transmission
of the dispatches ordering the south
bound train to proceed TO q meeting
point with q north-bound train the word
Upton was Inadvertently substituted for
Sonora The north-bouud train received
orders to proceed to Sonora. and it was
intended that the south bound train
should proceed only to that point, but
the unfortunate substitution of the word
Upton sent it along until it met in col.
lision with the ~north.5ound train. All
the circumstances attending the trans.
mission Of these dispatches are now un-
der investigation. Railroad men say
they never heard Of an accident from
this cause before.
The property demolished by the col.
lision is given as follows: Two passen.
ger locomotives, two postal cars, one
baggage car. partly wrecked.
The Louisville and Nashville Railroad
Company have an abundance of rolling
stock, and, With the exception of per.
bsps one postal car, none Of these will
have 70 b. replaced. The total loss in
rolling stock 10 the company will not
probably exceed $25. 600.