The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-30
TERRIBLE COLLISION.
ANOTHER SERIOUS SMASH UP ON
THE MEMPHIs g. cHARLEsToN.
Two Construction Trains Come Together
While Under Full Headway, and Erect
Huge Pile OF Debris-Five Men In
jured, Two Seriously.

There was terrible wreck on tho Men,
phis & Charleston railroad, sixty-two miles
from this city, carly yesterday morning.
An AppEAL reporter learned Of the incom-
ing passenger train, due at 0 o'clock a.m.,
being several hours late and began askirm-
ish for the reason causing the delay. An
inquiry was made early in the afternoon at
the uptown Office Of the company, but
there il was claimed that no knowledge OF
an accident lodged in that quarter. At
the railroad office II was known that q
smash-up had occurred near Middleton,
the result OF collision OF construction
trains, but nothing further, save that the
passenger train would be in at 3 o'clock
y. m, Capt. II. b. Pegram, superintendent
Of the line, had gone TO the scene OF the
wreck, a wrecking train had been ordered
70 appear and the road would be cleared
during the day.
The reporter waited at the depot until
the passenger train arrived, and by dill
gent inquiry among the passengers Cleaned
the particulars, though somewhat meagcrly.
The construction trpins were trying the
ridiculous experiment OF passing each
other ON n single track, just this side OF
Middleton, when the casualty naturally
ensued. Being at an early hour, and at a
curve, neither engineer was aware OF APP
preaching danger until they were too near
each other TO stop before the crash came.
A rapid and continuous sounding OF
whistles ON both locomotives aroused the
train hands when those in position TO do
30 leaped into the darkness, without regard
to where they would land. As the spDed
ut which the trains were running was not
great, the occupants OF the rear flats and
boxes sustained no more serious injuries
than an uncomfortable and alarming
shake-up. One Of the hands, n negro
brakeman, whose name could not be
learned, got his foot caught in the wrecked
timbers, and submitted to the amputation
OF a big toe.
Engineers on both the trains, Messrs.
John Curry and j. L. Williams, stood
bravely at their posts until the trains camo
together but commanded their flromen TO
Jump and save their lives II possible. The
noise OF the crash was heard for miles, and
locomotives, flats and box cars were piled
in splintered and confused heap. At
least dozen OF the cars were wrecked,
while the track was torn up and rails were
twisted out Of shape for several yards. How
the engineers escaped horrible death can
not be understood, but at last accounts
they were reported In condition that
promised ultimate complete recovery. The
iiremen were both pretty badly bruised,
but not seriously, and before the train left
the scene they were able 10 walk about.
-Four Of five physicians OF Middleton
were summoned 10 the scene, and under
their dcctions the wounded train men
were placed upon improyised but comfort
able beds and minislered 10 until they
could be removed 10 Middleton.
supi. Pcgram placed all his available
forces at work and at the end OF eight
hours had the track cleared Of debris, in
temporary repair, and the passenger train
pulled out for Memphis, arriving here at
O'Clock pm. The loss will run away Up
into the thousands.