The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-08-15
DEATH ON TIE RAIL

Two negro men were reported to have been
killed on the Northwestern R. r, last Weones'
day oieht Ooe of them was Will McDoo.
aid, train hand, and the other an naknown
negro who went to sleep on the track and
was Knocked off.
Will Mcdonald Was killed near Dalzell
station he was sitting on the rear eod OF
the tender, boldiog chicken io his band,
and when the chicken futtered aud attempt
ed TO get loose, be made grab at it, lost bic
balance and fell between the tender and the
adjacent boz car and was run over.
EToe other negro was run over about
hf,een miles from this city He was
evidently asleep on the track, for valise
was seen by the side of the track, after be
was run over, just a, if he bad placed it there
aod then sat down on the end OF the cross
ties to rest The engineer saw nothing of
bin until after be was struck by the engine.
The body Of Mcdonald was brought to this
city, and next noroing Coroner Moses sum.
moned jury to hold and inquest, but had to
adjourn as several of the Witnesses we're rot
present
He then set out for Dalzell to hold an in-
quest over the body Of the unknown negro.
When be got to Dalzell he heard that the
pegros sody was Ave or six miles beyond.
aud that OILY work traios ran beyond Dali
zell, consequently be could not proceed to
the scene of the accident and hold the in-
quest. Coroner Moses accordingly requested
Magistrate Folk to hold the inquest and be
returned to tbis city.
Ib the afternoon be recoavened the jury
and attempted to proceed With the inquest
n the Will Mcdonald case, but
the wi,oesses were still not forthcoming
and after world of inconsequential talk 1t
was agreed to adjourn until 6 o'clock Friday
afternoon. The members of the jury wished
the inquest adjourned until Saturday moro
log, 80 as to give time for summonlng the
witnesses who we.e sald to be near Camden At
that time while The Coroner wanted to hold
it either Friday evening or Monday 80 as not
to miss the campaign meeting at Spring Hill
Saturday.
Coroner Moses and the jury of inquest con.
cluded the investigation of the killing OF
Will Mcdonald Friday afternoon. Tie yer
dict was 1aat the said Will McDoosld
came TO his death by beng run over and
killed by train on the Northwestern r. R
and that 90 blame attaches to any of :he
train crew or to the railroad, Mcdonald hav-
ing accidentally fallen from the tender while
the train was 10 motion. The evidence was
that Mcdonald was laborer on the road
and boarded the tender without permission
aod githout the knowledge Of the engineer
He was sitting on the tool box st the rear Of
the tender and when chicken which he was
holding got loose he lost his balance in try
ing TO recaptnre 1t and fell between the ten.
der and the next car Oue leg and one arm
we're crushed TO a pulp aud he died in short
time from the shock.
The other Desro reported to have been
killed the same night turaed out 10 be very
much alive He DID go to sleep on the track
aud vas Knocked Of D the engine, brt be
@ss oo!y stunned and after the train PASSED
on he go, up aud went home Friday
When Magistrate ok went 90 to the scene
of tie accident the negro himself rect toe
Magistrate and the jury that he bad sum-
mooed and explained the matter 80 clearly
Dat INCEST was called cf and the jury dis,
missed.