The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-18
A SWITCHMAN'S SAD FATE.
RUN DOWN BY A FREIGHT CAR AND
HORRIBLY MANGLED.
William Hardman Another Victim to the
Criminal Carelessness Too Prevalent
Among Railroad Companies Having
Privileges in this City.

Another evidence OF the manifold dan
gers which surround railroad employees
during every hour Of service developed
last night. II was a sickening spectacle,
though by no means an unusual one in
this city OF many railroads and unusual
rccklessness. About 1890 o'clock last
night William Eardman, a switchman in
the employ Of the Newport News Il Mis-
sissippi Valley road, was crushed almost
to pulp at the foot Of Union street, on the
Mississippi & Tennessee main line OF track.
According to the statement OF II. b. Klant,
fellow-swiichman on duty with the vic
tim, who was questioned by an APPEAL
reporter, the mishap occurred in the fol-
lowing manner:
The Newport News & Mississippi Valley
roads switch engine No. sos was trans
ierring freight car from its main track 10
that of the Mississippi 4 Tennessee for the
purpose OF dropping 1t down TO the grain
elevator. The car was pulled up TO the
switch and backed by the engine to the
foot OF Union street. Hardman was do
tailed 10 uncouplo the car, and II seems
had accomplished the task in safety. lie
then started down the track in advance Of
the car, and was evidently dividing his
watching between the route in front Of him
and the approaching ear. At Union street
there is trench under the track about q
foot wide and about the same in depth.
On the Mississippi 4 Tennessee track
this has been partially covered bya plank,
but at either end there is a
dangerous opening. Into this, II seems,
the poor man stepped, and before he could
recover WIS run down by the freight car.
lie was showed along in front Of II for fully
fifty feet Shortly after the car struck
him II seems that Mr. Tmmons, the fore
man, called the attention Of Kant, who
was on top of tho box, to tho fact that
there was man underneath, and tho
brakes were instantly applied with all the
force in klants muscular frame, but II
was too late. Ten feet from whore Hard
man was run down his shoes were found,
one Of which contained the crushed ne
mains OF foot. When the car was finally
stopped the unfortunate switchman was
| lying horizontally across the track, and
in horribly mangled condition.
| His lower limbs were mashed
oil and the upper portion of his right limb
wrcnched out OF place. lie WIS entirely
discmbowelcd, his head crushedand cloth
ing torn almost into shreds
Klant kept watch at theawiulscenc until
Squire Barry appeared in answer 10 q
summons TO hold an inquest The above
facts were brought TO the attention OF the
jury, who returned verdict ombodying 0
charge Of criminal carclessncss on the part
Of the railroad company in allowing such q
mun-hole M that referred 10 10 exist.
The mangled switchman entered the
employ Of the Newport News & Missis
sippi Valley company on the 7th inst,
and was assigned To night duty. lie Wal
20 years Of age, and unmarried. lie hai
a brother in the employ Of the same com
pany, performing day service. The lat
ter, Phil llardman by name, was notified
Of the horrible accident, and arrived in
advance Of the coroner. From him II wa
learned that his brother boarded at tho
Willard house, upper end Of Main street
and also that their father, mother and an
other brother resided at Fort Worth
Texas.