The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-07
TRAVELLING MEN.
 HAVE CLOSE CALL  Caboosa Almost Rolls Into the
 Cahaba River YOUNG MAN IS KILLED New Rloodhounds of Selma Are Tried on Trail of Two Robbers. But
 Both Men Make Their
 Escape.
YOUNG MAN IS KILLED

65lnd5 August o--NSpeSidi.j-rO OllOWluB close upon the accident that was averted on the approach to the Louisville and Nashville bridge across the Alabama river here yesterday between Louisville and Nashville and Western passenger train comes the account today of another mar row escape on the Cahaba river bridge which happened last night.
 A freight train carrying a caboose in which were five travelling men came very near going into the river at that point. Just as the caboose got on the bridge the passengers heard a terrible noise and felt the structure sink with them. The caboose crossed safely over and looking back part of the bridge was seen to have been torn away.
 When the train was stopped and backed to the bridge 1t was ascertained that heavy log had rolled from car Just in front of the caboose and had broken out much timber and bent the Iron of the bridge. Had the log fallen any way but as 1t did the caboose would have been hurled fifty feet below to the river. There were five happy travelling men and thank full to reach this city last night.
 Crushed to Death.
 John Shannahan for more than twen- ty years street superintendent of Selma, received telegram this morning announc- ing the accidental death of his son, J. J. Shannahan, which occurred in Lake Charles, Mo-, yesterday afternoon. The telegram did not give the particulars of his death but special to the Selma Jour nal was as follows
 Yesterday at 6 o'clock while loading some driving wheels of an engine at the Loxley & Martin tram, John J. Shanna- han, master mechanic was killed by the wheels falling upon him.
 A new set of driving wheels had Just arrived and the Workmen were unloading them on skids running from the car to the round house. Just as one pair Of the wheels started on their way from the car the skid slipped from its fastening on the car, Mr. Shaunahan also slipping and the wheels weighing nearly two tons fall ing upon his breast crushing 1t in and breaking his back. Death occurred in- stantly.
 Coroner Dr. w L. Fisher went out last night and held an inquest verdict be- ing rendered: "The deceased came to his death by accident The remains were brought to the city and prepared for shipment to Selma, where his father. brother and sister live MT. Shannahan
  employ of Loxley & Martin for some time.
 Two Robbers Escape.
 Two robbers furnished an opportunity for a trial of Dallas countys new blood hounds during last night and In neither case was a successful end obtained.
 About o'clock thls morning Conductor James Lanham on the Southern Railway captured negro in the attempt of rob- ping box car at Maplesville The negro had the car open and was discovered by the fagfnan. As the robber pulled his pistol he was covered by Conductor Lam ham and commanded to drop his weapon, which he did
 His hands were then tied and he was put into the car he was attempting to rob and brought towards Selma. At Bakers switch, mile out, the negro suc- ceeded in getting his hands free and es- capped through the end window of the car. He was seen as he fled and shot at and the dogs sent for. They took up the trail at once but lost 1t about half mile from the spot, many employees of the Cawthon cotton mills having crossed the trail
 About 10 o'clock last night Mrs, John M. Keith discovered an intruder sitting in the window of a room in her residence on Lauderdale street. The robber, who was a negro, had been in the room and was making his egress when discovered. An alarm was given and the dogs sent for They failed to take the scent. A watch is missing from the room, but nothing else that is detected.
 Dies Suddenly.
 This morning at TAO at her home on Dallas street occurred the death of Mrs. John Esler. She had been i'll for four or five days but had improved sufficiently to take a drive. Last night she com plained somewhat but no particular at- tention was paid to 1t. and MT. Esler went to his place of business as usual this morning. He had not been long at his work before he was summoned home to find his wife dead, an attack having struck her heart.
 Killed By Lightning.
 Information reached the city today of the killing of John Woods, negro, by lightning near Catherine on yesterday. Besides being struck by the bolt which had at the same time demolished the chimney of the house many of the bricks fell upon the negro and crushed his ! skull.