The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-08-23

NSPN~A@A ~ II SiSSSGIIbtI-t
Goldsboro. N. c.. August 19.-An
accident that has cast a gloom upon
this entire community occurred this
afternoon at Stony Creek bridge,
which is situated about two miles east
of this city on the a. and y. c. rail-
road. AS h second section of the
ltraip. conveying the troops of the
state guard, was approaching the city
latter their ten days encampment at
Morehead City, -four members of
lCompanyA of Durham, Captain Z. F.
White, commandant, namely. Privates
Rurney Warren, Bunch, johnson, S.
F Gates and Will McDade, all of
whom it is reported had gotten out
of their company's car at LAGRANGE
to get a drink, and were more or less
under the influence of liquor, climbed
ito the top of the coach and although
Iordered by their captain commanding
to come down and join their COM
;pany's ranks, persisted in remaining
i'm their perilous position, singing as
they rode, until they reached the COW
Tered bridge where the accident oc-
lcurred.
The train as it approached and ran
Through this bridge, which is one Of
historic interest on account of incl
jdents connected with the civil war,
where many skirmishes occurred and
several deaths resulted, was going at
la speed of about As miles an hour,
Engineer Russell at the throttle and
tCOnductOr Davis in charge. The
bridge is OF low construction and will
admit Of the passage of cars with
men standing on top, without accident.
THE four men were sitting with their
backs toward>the locomotive, and con-
!~seQuently were struck on the backs
of their heads by the heavy timbers of
the covering of the bridge. Warren
iand Johnson were killed instantly hav-
ling their heads fearfully crushed.
The other w men Gates n McDade
received serious head wounds, the eX-
tent of which at this hour cannot be
determined, and all that saved them
from a like incident and shocking
death was that their companions were
Isitting somewhat IN front of them and
being struck first fell against them,
knocking them forward and some
what breaking the morce of the inn
lpact of their bodies with the covering
of the bridge.
This statement of the affair is taken
verbatim from the account
given by Gates, who is the least in
Ijured of the -four and who is probably
1.-THE only man who will recover. Gates
was taken OF to Durham with the dead
bodies OF Warren and Johnson on the
Especial train which left GoldSboro at
1880 O'Clock.
McDade is seriously though not ia
tally injured. He is now in the emery
Iency hospital, where he was borne on
la litter by the hospital corps and the
two surgeons Of the company accompa-
lnied by General B. S. Register and
IOther members of the State Guard, Il
where DR.. John Spicer was quickly
summoned and deftly dressed the IN
|jured mans wound and where he is
now receiving every possible attention.
The history of this most excellent chaT-
liable institution proclaims the fat
that everything that can be done by
physicians and human agency
for his relief will be done.
A report just received from the nos
|pita1 is to the effect that McDade, in
the opinion of the attending physicians.
may not be seriously injured and MS
recovery is expected.
The accident is distressing and great
ly to be deplored, but the ault lies
entirely with the injured men, who Il
direct violation Of the commandments
ORDER vacated their company's
and climbed to the dangerous position
on the roof of the ear, where their pres
.ence was unknown to the employees of
the r~ailroaduptil the train a into this
city with two dead and two injured
men lying on top of the coach bleed
ing p~rofusely and cruelty manned.
When the train with the dead and in
jured came around the curve, near tne
rice mill, the engineer of another train
saw the bodies, lying on top of the car
and blew the emergency signal, bring
ing Engineer Russell to a short stop.
This was the first knowledge that the
employees Of the train had Of the ter
rible accident. Gates and McDade
stuck bravely by the bodies Of their
deceased companions, and though seri-
.ously and fearfully injured themselves,
stood manufully their CORY task unit.
the mangled bodies of their comrades
were taken in charge by willing hands
and tenderly provided for.
The good people of Goldsboro extend
THEN heartfelt sympathy to the families
of the deceased and injured.