Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-09
FIENDS WRECK A TRAIN.
FATAL DISASTER on THE GEOIIr
GA CENTRAL RAILROAD.

81 the Young Fireman-The Removal
of the Wreck.
The night express on the Georgia
Central railroad, due in Savannah
hat O'Clock yesterday morning,
was wrecked at Rogers, So miles
west of the city. Fireman Charles
MADDOX was killed and Engineer w. IL.
Prendergast was severely injured.
The train left Atlanta on Monday nignt
'syith six cars-twO sleepers, day coach,
smoker, and the baggage, express and mail
cars, in charge of Conductor W. II. Beebe
at passed Macon at 1880. The only stop
ping place between Macon and savannah
rs Millen. The train was due at Rogers, 7
miles west Of Mtllen, at 2:43. AS it round
ed sharp curve, Just before reaching the
STATION, the locomotive struck an obstruc-
zion and was thrown from the track. The
engineer zed the lever and reversed his
engine. Almost at the same instant the
locomotive gave lurch and rolled over.
The engineer was thrown from his cab
underneath the tender, where he was
found buried in the sand and held down
under an iron bar.
CRUSHED AGAINST TIE BOILER.
The tender telescoped the cab, crushing
she fireman against the DoileE The lever
was thrown forward and penetrated his
body, cutting him almost in two.
The baggage, mail and express cars aud
The smoker were dragged from their
trucks. The forward car, next to the en-
gine, was thrown across the track and
piled upon the locomotive.
The train was running at full speed
when the wreck occurred, and was just
passing the switch when it struck the OBJ
structiOn. The locomotive went some dis
janice before it left tue cross ties, ana
hen oiled over on one side.
PILED UP IN WRECK.
The passengers were thrown from their
fberths, and the widest excitement pre-
walled. The locomotive and tender lay in
"a heap under the forward end of the ex-
press car. Conductor Beebee sent ahead
TO the station for assistance, and with the
help OF the passengers dId what he could to
rescue the engineer and fireman. The
might was dark, and with the feeble light
Df the train lanterns it was impossible
FOR some time TO find them. Boufres were
Autlt along the track to enable the train
hands to work. Both the engineer and
FIREMAN were held fast under the wreck.
The engineer lay under tue tender. One
leg was fast under an iron rod. The
fireman was crushed against the boiler.
ONE FOOT CUT OFF.
One foot was cut oil aud his body below
Ais chest was almost split in TWO by
sthe iron lever. Neither OF the two could
Fbe released until help arrived. Some of
the train hands started 10 walk to Mil
Zen, the nearest telegraph station. In
The meantime, Mr.. W. o. Wadlev, whose
mills are at Rogers, heard of the disaster
and sent out enc OF his engines. The
wreck was at once reported from Millen
40 tue general officers la Savannah, and
special WTecking tram and force of hands
were sent out. The Milien accOmmOda-
fion, which leaves MilIen at O'Clock,
was run on to Rogers, carrying DR.. Per-
kins and force Of hands from there.
ARRIVAL OF ASSISTANCE.
1t was two hours after the accident &C.
Durred be ore help arrived. Everything
WAS done TO release the imprisoned engi-
neer, but until help came very little could
DE accomplished.
As soon as the rescue train reached the
wreck the work Of cutting away tne ex-
press car began. The engineer was lying
On his side with one foot wedged against
Fhe hot boiler. The flesh was cooked to
The bone and was almost ready 10 drop in
pieces. heavy iron rod lay across his
right leg. Until this was cut away moth
ing could be done. Suffering with pain
the heroic engineer held the chisel against
The rod until II Was cat in two.
BEGGING TO BE KILLED.
The eroans of the fireman were heard
from the rear sleeper. AS ne lay pinioned
against the hot boiler with the bar OF iron
crushed through his body he begged to be
Killed. For Gods sake kill me. Kill me
aud put me out OF this misery" he cried,
81 can't live" He did not lose conscious
mess for moment. As soon as the doctor
arrived cnloroform was administered. but
us ELECT was only temporary, AS soon
as he recovered from its influence he
begged again to be killed. The
men were at work all the
time pulling away the wreck. A
Few minutes before he was released Mad
dox turned TO one whom he knew and
said: 1t can't last much longer, old boy.
I'm about DONE" He was again put IN
der the influence of chIorotorm, but re-
NiVed just before the heavy lever which
held him was pulled away.
-FOUR HOURS OF TERRIBLE SUFFERING.
II was nearly four hours before he was
released. When at last he could be cot
at and was lifted away from the boiler ne
Tell back dead. The terrible agony he
puh5icN uuIlug lhb liDe thaL ne lay
brushed under the heavy weight showed
an iron nerve. 1t was miracle. the
uoctor said, how he lived so long. His
body was removed to car OF the Millen
irain and was brought to the city.
The engineer was taken TO a sleeper and
placed on a bed OF pillows. His injuries
were mostly TO his leg. The wounds were
deep, but no bones were broken. There
were no evidences OF internal injury.
The passengers were transferred 10 the
waiting train and reached the city at 10
O'Clock. Between twenty-five and
thirty were booked for the New
York steamer which was TO sail at
10 O'clock. The steamer was beid until
the train arrived and the passen gers were
transferred. The injured engineer Was
placed under the care Of Or. u. +. Myers
and removed 80 his home. The body of
young Maddox WAS taken 10 his hume, 1888
Barnard street.
LOOKING AFTER THE PASSENGERS.
The officers OF the road acted promptly
rs soon as the news OF the disaster was
received. Master OF Train Service Starr
went out on a special train. The track
was quickly cleared, aad the Atlanta
mail, due at 4;0l p. m, arrived on time.
Tue passengers were provided Tor in
every way aud as little delay as possible
was accustomed 10 travel The mail
was brought thrutluh ON thA Million M