Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-07-02
TROOP TRAIN TELESCOPED.
Fearful Railroad Accident at Tupelo, Miss.
six Soldiers Are Mangied, Five Killed
Outright and Another VIII Die.

diers lost their lives aud others received
fatal and more or less serious injuries.
1t was siakening sight to see the
poor fellows, horribly mangled and dy-
ing, taken from under the wreckage.
Immediate attention was given them
and everything done to relieve the
wounded by the local physicians, citi-
zens and the ladies, who were soon upon
the scene and administering to the suf-
fering.
This afternoon Col. Torreys regiment
OF Rough Riders from Cheyenne, Wyom-
ing, reached this place via the Kansas
City. Memphis & Birmingham railroad.
Tho first section had stopped to take
water, and had whistled to start when
the second section rounded the sharp
curve iu the tracks just before the town
is reached and dashed into it.
In the rear of the first section was the
sleeper Seville" occupied by the regi-
mental staff, including Col, Torrey.
This car was completely demolished;
yet, strangely enough, every inmate
escaped unscathed except the colonel,
who is injured, though not seriously,
The chief fatalities occurred in a
coach which stood in the center Of the
first section, which carried Troop C,
from Laramie, Wyoming. This coach
was completely telescopcd, and the
soldiers were jammed and buried be-
meath masses of timber, broken car
seats and other debris.
On the second section one baggage
car was thrown into the ditch, several
feet deep, but on this section few were
hurt and none dangerously.
Prompt and Heroic Troopers.
Action on the part of the soldiers
was immediate to save their imperled
comrades, and with axes and ropes and
buckets of water they worked like de-
mons, tearing away the wrecllage to
get at the wounded and dead and
quench the fire which had started in
the sleeper Seville" which was only a
mass of wrecllage covering a steaming,
kissing engine.
| The wounded were carried into the
negro cabins along the track, but later
were removed to vacant building in
the town. Townpeople have lent their
best efforts toward providing for the
needs of the wounded and securing
|
proper medical attention.
The two sections contained Troops A.,
C, L, L, G and NJ, forming part of a
regiment being transported to Jackson
vile, Fla. 1t is the Second United
States Volunteer Cavalry, and was
raised by Col. Torrey, is commander,
from the Rocky Mountain region, in
Guiding the States of Wyoming, Colora-
do, Idaho, Nevada and Utah.
The cause of the accident probably
lies with the engineer of the second
section, who was running too fast and
near the first section. The engineers
name is Rawls, and he has disappeared.
The soldiers have threatened to lynch
him if found.
A popularity of the accident is that
not horse was injured, although sew
eral Of the stock cars were badly
smashed.
Col. Torrey's Luck and Nerve.
Col. Torrey says: ''Tell the boys I'll
ride with them yet
He was in the stateroom of the "Sc.
vile sleeping car, which was separ'
ated from the engine of the second see
ton by a short caboose. His car was
carried 800 yards. When the train
stopped he found himself on the outside
and beneath the wreckage, and al
though his feet were badly bruised
clambered up the embankment. Hi,
other injuries are several bruises about
the head, none internally. Although
placed in bed, Col Torrey immediately
began directing the clearing of the
wreckage.
All the wounded have been carried
to a vacant storeroom in town, wher,
they are receiving all possible atten
ton.
Engineer Rawls, it was develope,
later tonight, was severely injured il
, ihe wreck, and did not fec from tn,
consequences of his act. He was seer
, relative to it, but was unable to tall
tonight. He received internal injuries
which have caused several hemorrhages
. No examination has yet been made b
, the physicians, and his condition canno
, be determined at this hour. lie is com
, pletcly overcome by the disastrous re
suits of the deplorable affair. He vii
give his version as to how the acciden
occurred as soon as he is well enough
, to do So