The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-09
SHOCKING RAILROAD ACCIDENT.
Death Of MIR. John G. Pitts Last Monday
on the e. l. G. z. r., Near Newberry.
Mr.. John Pitts is dead.

on the c. l. G. r. r., Near Sewberry.
Mr.. John Pitts is dead
Swift as with an arrow did the hurt
ling shaft hurl the Old man into eter-
nifty. He never quivered. His death
was instantaneous and therefore pain
less.
The following are the particulars of
the shocking accident which occurred
on Monday morning at Boyd's, below
the kilgore Hill, about twenty min
utes past eight o'clock.
Mr.. William Pitts. section-master
between Helena and Prosperity, with
whom his father worked, started his
crank with the force of hands very
cautiously through the prevailing fog,
stopping at times to be assured of his
safety. He stopped five times. He
did not know that a special freight
train was running westward. He is
one of the most industrious and relia-
BILE section-masters on the road, as we'll
as the most cautious, hence is always
on the alert.
Just before he stopped for the last
time he saw what he supposed was 4
body of men. 1t was saleday and he
had passed a number of men on their
way to the village. The distance was
about 600 yards, and to his great sur
prise in a moment more he found that
it was an engine rapidly approaching
through the mist without headlight.
Neither did it blow brakes on him,
Mr.. Pitts affirms, which would have
retarded the engine one minute, at
least-time enough to have saved his
car and by this his fathers life.
The crew of the crank were in their
shirt sleeves. How was it that they
were not seen making desperate efforts
to save themselves? They saw the
on-rushipg train. Where was the head
light that dangerous morning and why
was the whistle not blown? Extra pre-
cautions should have been taken by
the railroad authorities on morning
like that.
Somebody has blundered to the sacri-
fee of "a human life, and filled a widowed
heart with grief.
AS soon rs the section-master saw
the engine he began to move the car
from the track, and had succeeded with
his end, but the negro at the other side
with deceased seemed completely de-
moraliZed and fled, his wheel hanging
on the track. The old man had freed his
side from the rail. At this iuncture
Mr.. Pitts called to his father and the
hands to save themselves, while he
made an effort to remove the end of
the car, but the engine was nearly upon
him and he saved himself by leaning
backward to escape its projections.
The end of the cow-catcher turned
the crank end for end from the bar,
but the force Of the movement hurled
the heavy iron tools upon the old man
who was about twelve feet off upon
the bank. The shock must have been
terrific. The lower limbs of the de-
ceased were broken and there were deem
gashes in the head.
The remains were brought by the
material train to Newberry. After the
inquest at Mr. J. S. Russell's residence
the body was placed in q casket and
taken to Helena.
Mr.. John Pitts was an honorable old
citizen. True and loyal to all his trusts.
He was as simple and guileless in his
habits as a child. "He owed no man
hate. Eating the bread of honest toll
be was Herewith content" He was
member Of the Methodist Church,
and was buried at Rosemont Cemetery
Tuesday afternoon in the presence Of a
number of relatives and friends who
will miss the kind and quiet old man
from his accustomed place.
VERDICT OF COEONER'S JURY.
The Coroner's Jury completed their-
quest yesterday afternoon and returned
the folIOwinp verdict.
THAT the said J. G. Pitts came to
his death on 9th of January, 1890, on
Richmond and Danville Railroad,
Columbia and Greenville division, from
blow from some Of the tools hurled
from a lever car, said car having been
struck by the engine Of an extra train
while in motion" Stout Noland,
Foreman, J. W. Coppock, G. w. Mar
tin, E. G.. Johnstone, B. NJ. Dennis, r.
T. Caldwell, NJ. J. Scott, J. w. Kibler,
J. u. Salter, J. D. Sho:kley, J. D.
Chapman, w. NJ. Shackleford.