The morning news., 1899-12-30
HAD ITS FIRST ACCIDENT.
sOUTHERN'S No. 35 CoLLIDED WITH
a PLANT SYSTEM FREIGHT.

COlored Fireman on the Southern
Engine Was Injured-Engineer Es-
capped by Jumping-PassenGe
Were Not Hurt at AII-RespOnsibiI-
ity for the Accident, Which 0c-
CURED at the Anderson Street
Crossing, Has Not Been Placed.
Plant Systems Freight Had Several
Cars Damaged-News and Notes of
the Railroads,
The Southern Railway had It's first ac-
cident in Savannah yesterday morning.
Its passenger train No. 35. due to arrive
here at 5:15 a. M, railroad time, but
nearly two hours late, collided with
Plant System freight train, and the re-
suits were disastrous.
The accident occurred a few minutes
after o'clock, city time, at the Anderson
street crossing, The powerful passenger
engine that pulled the Southern train
crashed into the freight cars. badly de-
moishing three or four of them and de-
/ railing as many more. The Southerns en-
| gine was badly battered up by the force
of the collision and came TO a hab with
It's nose sticking several feet into the side
of the car it had struck.
The engineer and fireman of the passen-
ger train jumped when they saw the ac-
cldent was inevitable. Engineer Maxwell
landed safely, having first reversed his en-
gine and applied brake. Fireman Nose
Ihompkins. colored, was not so fortunate
he struck with a force that broke his
up otherwise
The injured fireman was n1aced in the
pohce ambulance soon after the collision.
ana transferred to the Georgia Infirmary,
where his wounds were dressed. Last
nlght he was reported as resting quietly.
IL IS believed his injuries will soon be
suhlclentiy patched up to admit of his
/ being discharged from the institution.
just where the blame for the collision
rests has not been ascertained. Superin-
tendent of Transportation w. ]. Haylow
OF the Plant System, on the tracks of
Whlch line the accident occurred was
asked about this, and replied that it would
be impossible for him to tell until after
an investigation had been held to con-
slider the blame
At the time the passenger train crashed
INTO the freight, the latter was crossing
the track on which the former was enter
ing the city. The Anderson street cross
ing is not very far from the Plant System
depot, and is right in the midst of the
Pant yards. The freight train was the
way freight for Waycross and had inst
pulled out on track No. 8 from the freight
yards. There is a switch at Anderson
street, and the freight was crossing from
the track leading from the freight yards
to gain that on which it was to proceed
! on its way.
The Southern train was coming At a
| GOOD of a.
| the city ordinances permit within the COR
porate limits. Engineers have no re-
| course, however, as it is necessary for
| them to do all they can to make UP time
! There is slight curve just beyond the
point of the collision, and that made It
Impossible for Engineer Maxwell to see
! the freight that was diagona,ly crossing
| the track on which his train was until ii
/ was too late for him to avert the ac ident
| There was was nothing for it but for him
TO reverse his engine and jump.
With crash the engine and the cars
coHided Several cars of the freight had
| already crossed the main track but thera
were enough left for the heavy passenger
! train to smash up The cars were nearly
| all unloaded, though one of Them struck
/ by the engine had a load of scrap iron
that was shipped from this city.
/ The passengers in the Southern cars
scarcely knew there had been an accident.
>.
| The heavy train saved a great shock.
Trainmen say it Is rather difficult thing
to have vestibule train badly torn up. as
| there IS so little play throughout its
length. Representatives of the Southern
said there was not nut loosened about
the cars, and that not single passenger
was in any way injured
Thesengine communicated fire to one of
the cars. telephone message was sent
TO No engine house, and apparatus re-
sponded promptly. But a minute was re-
quired to extinguished the flames.
Trains were delayed about an hour and
half after the collision. An hour was
| taken to get the track cleared of the
| wreck. Mr.. Haylow was on hand and
superntended that work Another engine
was attached to the Southern train, and
1t was pulled to the station The cars
went on through on their trip to the
| South.