Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-21
THE DISASTER NEAR sCREvEN

Details of Tuesday Nights Collision
The Locomotives Totally Wrecked
Death of Engineer Folks-How the
Accident Occurred.
The track at the scene OF the collision
on the Savannah, Florida and Western
Railway. at Screven. was cleared yester-
day morning about $3.50 O'Clock, and on
the arrival Of the train here, shortly after
10 O'Clock. the full particulars Of the ac-
dent were obtained.
1t appears that train No. II, running
from Jacksonville under charge OF Con-
ductOr L. 2. Dupont. with Engineer Will
liam II. Divine. was being run on siding
near Scriyen station preparatory 10 CIV
ing a clear track for the passage OF the
southwark bound train. Nearly all the
cars Ofthe train were on the siding when
the southwark bound train came dashing
along past the point where II
should nave stopped and cOlllded
with the nOrthward bound tram
at the entrance TO the siding. men
the collision seemed inevitable Engl-
neer Divine and the fireman leaped from
the cab and landed in ditch at the loot
Of the embankment. Conductor Dupont,
who was standing in the baggage car, also
jumped into the ditch nearly up 10 MS
neck IN water. Mr.. Divine in making the
leap struck, as he supposed, loose cross
that was living near the foot OF the en-
bankment, and bruised his lett arm,
though not seriously.
The fireman Of the other engine escaped
serious injury BY jumping from the cab.
The two locomotives were almost wholly
! demolished, and the tender Of the north
ward bound tram was tilted upward
and backward and telescOped into
L , h.rasr
/ 1t was apparently caught in its descent
/ by the platform OF that car, where 1t rested
/ as if ready for shipment. The roof and
/ side walls of the car were completely
/ wrecked, and Conductor Dupont, who
was IN the city Yesterday, said that If he
/ had not jumped he must have been
! crushed by the timber. The crash was
terrific, and could have been heard long
distance. Engineer Folks leg was caught
/ between his own engine and tender and
/ all the bones from the ankle to the knee
crushed. while his head was slightly trac-
/ tured. The conclusion was felt nearly
| the whole length Of both trains, but
/ the passengers in the rear cars were not
! aware at first that serious collision had
| taken place. The rails Of the track were
/ twisted from the crOssties for distance
/ of about twenty-five feet, but were speed
/ ily replaced as soon as the wrecked car
/ and engines could be removed by the
wrecking force working under the super
/ vision of superintendent Fleming.
When the news of the disaster reached
/ Waycross Engineer Folks father and
/ brother, who are both physicians, were
/ taken to Screven and were prepared to
render whatever assistance was
needed to the wounded. Ihey
/ decided to amputate his limb
/ half way between the knee and thigh,
when the unfortunate man was removed
I to Waycross, where he died at O'Clock.
Mr.. Folks was about 30 years OF age
and served his apprenticeship IN the
workshops OF the Savannah, Florida and
! Western Railway Company and was re-
/ garded as prudent and efficient officer.
| 1t is understood that the headlight OF
/ train No. II was not seen on the main
/ track, while the other lights Of the cars
on the siding shone distinctly and created
/ the impression that the whole Of the
! northward bound train had been switched
and was Offering no obstruction.
/ Conductor Dupont went south on the
/ afternoon train yesterday. Conductor
/ Cullens, of the train on which Mr.. Folks
was fatally injured, proceeded with his
/ train to Jacksonville after the wreck was
I cleared. The circumstances leading TO
/ the collision will be the subject OF an IN
| yestigatiOn by the authorities of the COM
/ pany.