The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-02
COL. REILLYS SEVERE FALL.
BROKE TWO OF HIS RIBS AND WAS
ALSO BADLY BRUISED.

ALSO oAbAA DANAAc
Missed His Footing on the Platform
of the Military Train Coming
From AtInnta-His FAN Between
WndIey and Dnvisboro-He Walk
ed TO Robinson and Took the Day
Train for savannHh-He Was Not
Missed Until the Regiment Ar
rived mt Savnnnah-NO News Had
From Him Until = O'clock and His
Friends Were Greatly Worried.
The return of the First Regiment from
Atlanta came near being marked by Sc
rious casualty to one of its most popular
officers.
When the regiment reached the city and
started to the armory it was noticed mat
Lieut.. Col Peter Reilly was not with it.
As it was known that Col. Reilly had been
in bad health for some time and as it
was raining at the time it was taken for
granted that he had gone directly home
from the train, and so nothing was thought
Of his absence.
Cant. John Reilly Col. Reilly's brother,
was at the train to meet him and not see
ing him anywhere, made inquiries. He was
told that Col. Reilly had gone TO the ar
mory with the regiment Proceeding 10
the armory Capt. Reilly found that his
brother was not there and was told that he
had probably gone directly home. Gong
to his house on Broughton street, at which
they both reside, he found that his brother
had not been there.
Capt. Reilly now began to fear that
some accident had occurred to his brother.
He returned to the depot and looking up
the porter Of the Pullman car in which
the officers Travelled. he inquired Of him
when he had seen Col. Reilly last. The
porter stated that he had not seen Col
Reilly since between 2 and o'clock in the
morning. when he saw MIN passing through
the car.
Looking in the berth which Col. Reilly
had occupied his hat and sword were
found there.
cant. Reilly now became thoroughly
alarmed and telephoned Col Lawton anu
Adiutant O'Byrne Of the circumstances
This was the first news these gentlemen
had had that Col Reilly was missing. In
common with the other officers OF the reg
iment they supposed that he had arrived
with them in Savannah They and other
officers Joined Capt. Reilly, and the wires
at the Central railroad dispatcher's once
were at once put to work. The alarm was
increased when 1t was discovered that FIl-
vate S W. Loftin of the Cadets had aiso
failed to reach the city with MS com
pany.
1t seemed to be impossible that TWO
men should have been lost from the tram
fhpfr lnGG heinz
known, yet such was the case. Inc news
spread rapidly through the city, ana
caused great concern. The friends of Col
Reilly and Private Loftin expected TO
hear at any moment that their mangled
remains had been discovered along the
track. 1t was after o'clock before any
news was received. Then message
came from the conductor OF train No. 2
south-bound, that Private Loftin had
boarded his train at Macon.
About an hour later message was re-
ceived from the conductor of No. 2 stat
ing that Col. Reilly had boarded the train
at Robinson, flag station, and that he
was uRhurt. A second telegram from the
conductor stated that Col. Reilly had
fallen from the night train between
Wadley and Davisboro and had received
severe bruises. but was not seriously in
jured. He walked to Robinsin, a short
distance from where he fell, and remained
there awaiting the train to Savannah.
Shortly after o'clock Capt Reilly re-
ceived telegram from his brother, stat.
ing that he would arrive in Savannah az
o'clock. There being no telegraph or
fee at Robinson, he had been unable to
notify his friends of his Whereabouts.
Col. Lawton and several of the officers
of the regiment were at the depot to re-
eeive Col. Reilly when the train arrived
Capt. Reilly had carriage and had also
brought DR.. ]. b. Read in case his brother
should need medical attendance imntedi-
ately. After briefly explaining his acci-
dent, Col Reilly was taken to his home
where he was attended by DR.. Read. 1t
was found that he had two
ribs broken on the left side
besides severe bruises. 1t is not believed
that there are any serious injuries, but it
will take day or two to decide.
Col. Reilly stated that being unable to
sleep he had dressed himself and after
walking through the train stepped out on
the rear platform of the Pullman, the
rear car of the train He hardly knew
how ii happened, but he suddenly lost his
footing and was thrown to the ground.
He was partially stunned by the fall but
recovered himself in a short while ana
walked up the track to the flag station at
Robinson, where the train had just pass
ed. He remained there until the south
bound train from Atlanta reached the sta
ton, about O'Clock in the afternoon.
Many Of Col. Reilly'S friends called at
his house last night to inform themselves
of his condition and at the same time
express their Joy at his return, though
regretting his accident