The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1903-09-23
AlhBRAkES Al FAULT.
A Terrible Wreck at BranchviIIe
Very Narrowly Averted.

What might have been a serious
wreck on the Southern railway at
Branchville Tuesday night OF last
week was averted by the coolness OF
Engineer Rogers of work train. The
regular train to Charleston, No. IA,
was on the main track while the en-
gineer and conductor were receivin"
instructions from the office, and the
Augusta train was also at the station.
The excursion from ASheville was
running as the second section OF No.
IL, and was ten minutes behind it.
For some reason, the brakes Of the
special refused TO work, and there was
imminent danger of a dreadful col
lision, and actually IA serious bump.
The Charleston Post says: When
the excursion train, which had been
blowing the alarm signal, was within
100 yards OF the regular train, Eu-
gineer Rogers realized the peril, and,
leaping into the cab OF M. I4's en-
gine, he pulled open the throttle.
The train had just begun to move
when the excursion crashed into the
rear, throwing passengers Sprawling
on the floor and seats. Fortunately,
the excursion was going at a com
paratively low rate OF speed. Engineer
Rogers action i'm moving the Charles
ton train prevented the force OF i'm
pact being very much greater. Had
the train remained stationary, the
collision would nave been much worse.
Engineer William p. Sullivan says
he attempted to apply his brakes
when he was three miles from Branch
vile, and found that they would not
work. Then he blew the alarm
whistle to warn the officials of danger.
He declares that he did all in his
power to bring the excursion to "a
stop, when he found the track was
not clear, by throwing on the reverse,
but his action was too late.
1t was stated Wednesday morning
that the track was very slick from
the rain and that there was not sum-
cient air TO work the brakes. En-
ginner Sullivan discovered that his
brakes were not working when he was
three miles from the depot and in
that distance could have slowed his
train by throwing Off power.
Eleven were injured in the collision.
The only person who is seriously in
jured is Wells Pittman, colored, who
Is receiving treatment at the city
hospital. The others are: Dan Small,
A. n. Hampton, S. w. Synier, Il. III.
Wiggins, Spencer Hardy, J. j. Coles,
a. M. Foster, w. Grimsbad, j. G.
Fordan and child OF Mrs. Cuning.
The injured were Immediately attend
nd n pr1t Ia 10 Il I -
berley accompanied the train to
Charleston.
The reason for the failure of the ex-
curSiOn engines brakes to work has
not yet been explained. The locomo-
tive will be examined in the local
shops. Just where the fault of the
collision rests will be determined as
soon rs possible.
Passengers in the Charleston train
were seized with panic when the col
liSion occurred and several Jumped
from the platforms, fearing diSaS-
trouS wreck. Conductor Myers calmed
the passengers who remained, and pre-
vented them from acting raShly. He
was cool and collected and told them
there was no further danger
Had the excursion train been run
ming fast, it would have proved
terrible disaster, us persons in the
Charleston train and the 315 Ashe-
vile eXecursioniStS would have been
in imminent peril of their lives. 1t is
claimed, however, that Sullivan was
not running faster than seven miles
an hour. Engineer Rogers efforts to
move the Charleston train is deServ-
ing Of commendation, as his action
prevented much worse impact when
the engine came together with the
rear car.