The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-03-08
PARTICULARS
the Manner OF the Young
Mans Death Not Learned Until
Yesterday-Gaye Instructions - to
What Should be Done With His
Body-Scene at the Young Mans
Bedside During His Last Moments
Described as Being Extremely
ToHching-Lived Two Hours After
Being Injured.

The remains of Mr.. william H.
branch, the young Coast Line conduc-
tor who was killed near Kissimmee,
Fla. Friday evening. reached this city
yesterday afternoon. A large number of
the friends OF the deceased were at the
station to meet the remains which were
carried to the home of the young mans
parents. Mr.. and Mrs. John VI. Branch,
No. SIT Surry street.
The full. particulars concerning the
young mans death were not learned
until yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Branch had been with the Coast
Line for several years and before last
Christmas ran as an extra conductor on
this division of the Coast Line. After
Christmas he was transferred to the
Second division and was given a regu-
Tar position as conductor.
Mr.. Branch was not killed in Kissim-
NEE. but at a small station, known as
CampbelI's about twelve miles distant.
The freight. Of which Mr.. Branch was
conductor, was shifting cars at Camp
bells and 1t was in coupling a car that
the young man met his death. 1t seems
that the first time he attempted to
couple the cars that he failed. He sig
nailed the. engineer to back the cars
again and stepped in between them to
adjust the coupling. 1t was down grade
and the train was upon him before he
was aware of it and his body was
caught tive the bumpers. A negro
train hand saw the accident and sig
nailed TO the engineer to stop. The Sig
nal was at once obeyed but the first
blow. when the cars came together.
had nrnVh6 fatal No oooa hnJ Tho
engine stopped than young Branch
stepped from between the cars. AT
nrSt he thought he. was only slightly
injured but in a few minutes he began
to feel faint and staggered against one
of the cars. He ordered the. negro to
go to the Caboose and bring him his
mattress. which was done. He rapidly
grew worse and the train men saw that
he was dangerously injured. They at
once placed him in a car and carried
him to kissimmee. Upon reaching the
town physicians were summoned and
everything possible done for him but to
no avail. AS soon as the physicians
examined him and learned the extent of
his injuries they told him that he could
live only a few hours. The fortitude
that the u man showed when he
was told this is said to have been
wonderful. He quietly gave instruc-
.tions concerning the disposition of his
remains, Saying mat ne wished MS
body embalmed and shipped to his faith
ter, Mr.. FOL NJ. Branch. Wilmington.
n. c. He also dictated several letters
to his loved ones.
The young man was engaged to u
young lady in this city who is the CASH
Ter at Kress' store and they werA to
have been married this spring. The
manner in which he spoke of her is siad
to have been touching indeed and it is
said that all those gathered around the
dying man were moved to tears.
Those who were with the young man
in his last moments speHt - the scene
as being extremely touching and one
that would have touched the stoutest
heart. He lived about two hours afte-
being hurt.
Every one who knew young Branch
spoke OF him in the highest terms. a
gentleman in speaking of him last night
said he was one of the best and most
upright young men he had eve known.
st. Johns Lodge. Order Railway Con-
ductors, of Jacksonville. Fla. of which
lodge Mr.. Branch was a member sent
a beautiful floral wreath
The funeral will be conducted this af-
ternoon at ; o'clock from the residence.
No. SIT Surry street.