The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-09-12

sIn.
The second attempt within twenty
four hours to wreck Central of GeOr-
gia train was made at 1925 o'clock
yesterday morning near Ogeechee. The
engine ran into haf-open switch.
Gabe Polite, the negro fireman, was
killed by being crushed under the loco
motive as it toppled over. Engineer
Frank Arden jumped from the cab as
the engine began to lean over, and
rolled down an embankment.
In endeavoring to answer the agon-
izing call of the negro fireman. the
engineer stepped into a puddle of hot
water, from the boiler, scalding his
left leg from the knee down. Express
messenger J. H. Littleton. who was in
the wreck Saturday morning, was
slightly injured by the lurching of the
car.
The engine, mail and express car and
two coaches were derailed, together
with the wheels of the Atlanta sleeper
The engine turned over on its left side
catching the colored fireman and
crushing the life out of him. The mail
car and coaches were derailed much in
the same manner as in the Saturday
wreck. The train came to a halt with
in $50 yards of the open switch. None
of the passengers were injured.
General superintendent T. S. Noise
was aboard the train and was aroused
by the humping of the wheels along
the ties. Realizing in an instant what
was the matter he hurriedly dressed
and went to the front of the train.
Wreck Deliberately Planned.
An examination of the situation was
made at once by Mr.. Noise. He found
the switch had been unlocked. with the
switch lock on the ground and the
switch points partially set to the side
track As there had been no trains to
use this switch in the early part of
the night, and as two freight trains
had passed safely over the spot within
passenger train, the evidence was con-
elusive that the attempt to wreck had
been deliberately planned.
On the train was DIR. John Train of
Savannah and he gave medical atten-
ton TO the injured. He was assisted by
a surgeon who arrived in a short time
from Rocky Ford 1t was found that
the fireman was killed outright and
that Engineer Arden was the only 9TH
er person injured more than slightly
Mr. Arden was taken to a berth and
given every attention. Express Mes
senger Littleton was injured slightly,
but not enough to interfere with his
movements. He went on to Macon on
the train which arrived for the pas
sengers.
Information Of the accident was sent
to the superintendent office in this
city and the wrecker was sent out.
Another wrecker was sent from Ma
con, and through the courtesy of the
Atlantic Coast Line, a third wrecker
was sent from Savannah to assist In
the clearing of the track.
Had Shut on Steam.
AS there was to be a stop made at
ogeechee, which is a flag station for
train No. 8. Engineer Arden had shut
of steam. and had blown the whistle
for the conductor one time. AS his
hand was about to pull the valve again
the engine struck the open switch and
In second he knew that the locomo-
tive had left the track The second
whistle was never sounded.
The next instant the engineer had
seized the brake valve handle and put
it TO the emergency notch. Having
done all that he could do in the way of
stopping the train. he began to think
of his own safety.
Though the train stopped within a
hundred wards. thanks to the powerful
air brakes. during the very few mo-
ments the engineer revolved in his
mind the safest plan OF procedure
Seeing that the engine would probably
be overturned he watched with bated
breath to see which way It was going
10 fall.
Engineer Arden Jumped.
Just before the final stop the en-
CINE began to lean TO the left. and
Engineer Arden jumped from his side
OF the cab to the ground. There was
an embankment Of about six feet on
the right hand side of the track and
he rolled down 20 the level ground
In the fan he was scratched about IN,
face by bushes and badly dazed.
A. he found the level Of the GROUND
he heard yell Of agony from IN,
fireman ana scrambllng 90 his feet
climbed up the emhankmeut 10 o.,
side track with the hope of rendering
some assistance. IN the darkness
which prevailed he could see that 10,
engine WIS on the eide. but heard %,
other sound
Advancing towards me engine. b,