The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-07-05
A HORRIBLE STORY.
Man Falls Under a Train, Body
Cut in TWO.
HE LIVES AND TALKS
For Nearly TWO Hours Alive Talk
With Those About Him.
Drinks Water
FreelV.

William PARSONS, young Wnlte man
Of Lenoir, was run over by No. SO, the
south bound mail on the Southern,
Sunday night at Bethel, a small sta
ton several miles from China Groove.
The accident occurred at 9 0S, and
the man lived an hour and 40 minutes.
The accident was one Of the NEST
horrible that has ever occurred on the
road. The wheels of four cars passed
over the mans body at or below the
waist line, completely severing the
limbs and lower part of the trunk from
the rest Of the body. That the man
lived for only an hour with his body
completely cut in two is fact which
the medical world will discuss with in
terest. The mans legs were pick up
and placed in the baggage car; then
his body was put in. The legs were
placed near the trunk. Seeing them,
the injured man inquired what his
legs were doing so far away from his
body.
When the train reached Bethel Sam En-
win and Ben James, colored men en-
ployed in the baggage room, moved the
mangled trunk from the car to the
stretcher and then carried the legs out,
placing same on the stretcher. The
sight was one that made old railroaders
accustomed to witnessing accidents of
various degrees of horribleness, turn
away with sickening shudder.
a physician was summoned as soon
as possible, but nothing could be done
for the man. His suferings were so in
tense that he asked, on his way
to be killed. His system would not
absorb morphine, so he had to endure
the agony until death came to his re-
lief. 1t was horrible to see a human
being lying there talking with his body
cut in two. The man told his name
and that Of his cousin, Charles Morrow,
who was with him.
Parsons parents were dead and he
lived at Morrow's father, his uncle's.
Morrow persuaded him to go with him
to Columbia, S. c., where there is re-
cruiting Office, and enlist in the army.
They were beatings their way when
Parsons met his death. No. 35 had
gone in the side track at Bethel for the
vestibule to pass. The men had been
put off the train once. Parsons in at
tempting TO board it the second time,
as the train moved off, slipped and fell
directly across the rail. The wheels of
four cars passed over him. Capt. Tuck
er was conductor and Engineer Alf
Soloman was in the cab. The train was
stopped as quickly as possible. The
man was found in the horrible condi
ton described above. He talked ra
tionally up to within few minutes of
his death.
The stretcher oa which he lay was
left at the entrasce to the baggage
room. II have not long to live; let
me stay in the air, said the dying man.
He asked to be famed and wanted ice
water every minute or two. He was
conscious up to the last.
The body was taken to y. NJ. harry
& Cos. Tuesday morning, and was in
tered Tuesday afternoon.
The case is one in which science will
be interested, as it is one of the few, if
not the only case known to the medical
profession in which man has lived for
so long after the severing of the aorta,
the main artery of the body. The fact
is accounted for in this way. Each ar
terry has three coatings. The inner
coating became contracted, forming an
impediment so the blood could rot get
out. The man bled little, compare
lively speaking. He was about % years
of age. In his pocket was letter Of
recommendation, a photograph of him
self and letter from his sweetheart.
DR.. Albert Sheriff., who is reading
medicine in McManaway q Winches-
ter's office, knew Parson we'll having
taught him when in charge Of a school
at Lenoir. He says he was an honest,
steady young fellow.-Charlotte OBJ
server.