The Dawson journal. (Dawson, Ga.) 1878-18??, 1884-03-13
A Terrible Collision.
On The East Tenn, Va. and Geor-
gia r. R.-Particulars of
The Wreck.
Telegraph and Messenger, March 9th.

Telegraph and Messenger yesterday
morning and read the report of the
collision at Juliette, there was a gloom
cast over the city. 1t was the first
serious accident on the new road be-
tween Macon and Atlanta, and much
sympathy was expressed for the I'M
fortunate victims.
The body of engineer Howder was
placed in fine metallic case and
forwarded to Atlanta yesterday
morning, on its way to indianapolis,
of which place he was q native. The
remains of fireman Pruitt were also
placed in neat coffin aud sent to his
family in Atlanta.
The collision occurred as we stated
yesterday. When Capt. Gillespie
engineer Howder left Macon Mon
day afternoon, they were about an
hour behind time. The register in
the Office shows that both conductor
and engineer of train 81 registered at
5:35' Previous to this, at 5;28, they
both signed the following order from
the train dispatcher, Samuel Hunt, at
Atlanta:
E'Train SO will run TO Juliette re-
CARELESS of train 50.
CSigned1 rs. H."
1t seems that Conductor Gillespie
read this order huniedly and under
stood it to read, as afterwards learn
ed, that 50 should run to Juliette
regardless of 50. This was the
FATAL MISTAKE.
Having then the idea that his train
should run to Juliette regardless of
the down train, or 50, Capt. Giles
pie went onward with his train
Engineer Howder could not see the
coming train. Just where the CO.
ision took place is sharp curve-in
fact, the track winds about in a Sc
ries of curves at that point, and he
had only time to see the approaching
locomotive within few feet of him.
The lamp in the headlight of 53's
engine would not burn for some
reason, and hence there was no light.
Engineer Van Wrinkle, of that en-
CINE, saw the rays of 52's headlight
upon the iron rails ahead of him,
and thought that the light came
from a headlight. lie applied the
air-breaks, reversed his engine, gave
her all possible steam, blew his
whistle and with bis fireman jumped
into the darkness. When they
jumped the engine ran the length of
a car and the colsion occurred.
The two engines went together
with terrible crash. Both reared
their heads and then turned toward
the embankment, against which they
leaned, their machinery interlocked.
The tenders were turned around
across the track, and four freight
cars, loaded with oranges
PILED PELLMEII
upon the top of the nort-hbound
tender. The end of the baggage.
mail and express cars of the south
bound train was broken in by con-
tact with the tender next to it. Ey,
press Messenger Clover was thrown
violently to the floor, and but for his
iron safe, behind which he fell and
which prevented the timbers from
crushing him, would have probably
been killed. His shoulder was dis
located, from which injury he suf,
fered greatly. Route Agent Gas
sett, who was in the mail compart.
ment of the Car, was first thrown up
on his distributing table, then upon
his mailbag rack, and then upon
the floor. He was unin;ured. Il
the smoking car were a few passen
gers, among them Mr., Joe Hall, Of
Macon, who was asleep. He wa.
awakened by the crash, and found
Captain Reid standing by him will
Mr.. Halls hat in his hand. which ha5
fallen to the floor from the rack
The conductor and male passengers
then rushed out of the ears.
The passengers and baggage
coaches of the northbound trair
escaped injury, and the passenger
experienced only slight jar. Thi,
was because OF the number O.
freight cars between them and thu
engine. Among the passengers wa.
Mr.. Alex Blue, who was in charg,
of the bridge and section gangs be
tween Macon aud Atlanta. As 500,
as the crash was heard he rushe,
out of the car TO clear away tn