The semi-weekly messenger., 1900-11-13
THE DEED OF A FIEND
PASSENGER AND MAIL TRAIN VIII
FULLY WRECKED
A white Man Tied Spike to . Rail at
Hope Mills, On the Atlantic Coast
Line and Witnesses the Wreck of the
Train - Engineer Frank McGowan
and the Fireman and Mail Agent
Seriously Injured-Bloodhoun AT
ter the Villain.

News reached Wilmington yesterday
of the awful work of a train wrecker
at Hope Mills, station seven miles
east of Fayetteville. on the Wilson,
Fayetteville and Florence branch of the
Atlantic Coast Line. A white man de-
hberateiy wrecked the train, but from
what motive it is not earned. The Mes
senger last evening received the follow
ing special dispatch:
Fayeseevilie, N. c.. November TO-
The northbound passenger train on the
Atlantic Coast Line was wrecked to-
day south of this city Just beyond Hope
Mills, caused by a spike tied ON the
track by come villain now pursued Dy
a sherifrs posse with bloodhounds
The engine ran on top Of the track for
some yards, struck against a sandbank
and turned completely around, facing
toward Florence. while the mail and
baggage cars piled on top of it. The
injured are Engineer MCGOWAN, and 1t
is thought he will die. colored fire
man, seriously. and Postal Agent Craft,
painfully, but not dangerously. hurt
A lady walking in the aisle OF the
sleeping car was slightly hurt
The passengers were brought to this
Tity by train from this side. The
track was blocked and travel was de-
layed for several hours.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
The following special was received by
The Messenger last night:
Florence. S. u. November 10.
Train No. 2S. north bound over the
Coast Line, leaving here at $50 this
morning, was completely wrecked near
Hope Mills, seven miles south of Fey
etteville. at 11:50 o'clock today. Engi-
neer Frank MCGOWAN. Fireman Brock
inton. colored. and Mail Clerk Sale
were seriously injured. The train was
running at high speed at the foot OF
a steep grade and in deep cut. As
the, engine struck a curve, she ran IL
q spike or bolt which had been placed
upon the rail by some unknown per-
son and the engine, tender and four
cars (mail, express. baggage, and
coach) went crashing into steep bank
THE wrecking train with Captain G..
G. Lynch in charge. carrying physi-
clans and medicines. left here thirty
minutes after the disaster to attend
the injured and to clear the wreck.
.'AlI trains will run via Wilmington
until the track has Deen cleared. Con-
ductor Joe Howell was in charge of the
no number of
passengers, none of whom were report
ed injured
WATCHED TO SEE THE TRAIN
WRECKED.
The Messenger learns that a white
man placed the spike on the rail and
tied it on with a red bandana hand
kerehief He told some one that he was
going to put, the spike on the rail or
that he had done so. and it is stated
that the Internal wretch actually wait
ed to see the result Of his hellish deyi!
try. He witnessed the wreck and then
took to the woods. He is well known
and no effort will be spared by the rail-
road authorities to catch him. Soon
after the catastrophe. Sheriff George
wreck and with a strong posse and
blood hounds began pursuit of the
fiend.
The wreck occurred about a quarter
of a mile south of Hope Mills. II
blockade4 the track so trains could not
pass. consequently the yestibule train
bound north was ordered to come
by way of Wilmington. Tt pass
ed here last night at 1880. 1t is
not probable that he south bound
train will rum by this route. as
it was the expectation that the track
would be cleared this morning at 1
o'clock.
Mr.. John R Kenly. general manager
of the Coast Line. and Mr.. L. B. Pleas
ants, engineer of roadway. left here on
a special yesterday at p. m. to look
after the wreck. The railroad COM
pany is making every effort to appre-
hend the perpetrator of the deed.
Engineer MCGOWAN is we'll known in
Wilmington. and he has many friends
here who hope he will survive his in
juries. He formerly resided in this
city with his family
The Funeral of Mr.. Alfred Alderman
There was a large attendance Of rela-
frin I- OF rhn LNrr~Sf e1rlff CT