The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-07-05
Horrible Story.

William Parsons, a young WnlIe
man Of Lenoir, was run over by NO
36, the southbound mail on the South
ern, Sunday night at Bethel, small
station several miles from CHINA
Grove.
The accident occurred at 9:O8, anc
the man lived an hour and 40 minutes
The accident was one Of the most
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 a fact which
the medical world will discuss with
interest. The mans legs were picked
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 here Sam
Erwin 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 railroad
ers accustomed to witnessing accidents
Of various degrees Of horribleness, turn
away with sickening shudder.
A physician waa summoned as soon
as possible, but nothing could be done
for the man. His sufferings were SO
intense that he asked, on his way here,
to be Killed. His system would not
absorb morphine, SO he had to endure
the agony until death came to his re-
lief. It was horrible to see 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 50 with him
to Columbia, S. c., where there is
recruiting Office, and enlist in the
army. They were beating their way
when Parsons met his death. No. 36
had gone in the side track at Bethel
for the vestibule to pass. The men
had been put off the train once. Par
sons, in attempting to board it the
second time, as the train moved of,
slipped and fell directly across the
rail. The wheels of four cars passed
over him. Capt. Tucker was conduc-
tor and Engineer Alf Soloman was in
the cab. The train was stopped as
quickly as possible. The man was
found in the horrible condition de-
scribed above. He talked nationally
up to within "a few minutes Of his
death.
The stretcher on which he lay was
left at the entrance to the baggage
room. 81 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 j. NJ. Harry
& Co.'S. yesterday morning, and was
inferred yesterday 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 aman 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 artery has three coatings. The
inner coating became contracted, form
ing an impediment so the blood could
not get out. The man bled little,
comparatively speaking. Hewas about
% years of age. In his pocket was
letter of recommendation, photo
graph Of himself and letter from his
sweetheart.
DR.. Albert Sheriff., who is reading
| medicine in McManaway & Winches-
ter's Office, knew Parsons we'll, having
taught him when in charge Of school
at Lenoir. He says he was an honest,
steady young fellow.-Charlone Oh
seaVcr.
Persons troubled with diarrhea will
be interested in the experience of Mr..
W. NJ. Bush, clerk of Hotel Dorrancc,