The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-12-04

press car crushed the combination car
lick rats.
Many Narrow Escapes.
The combination car did not leave
the track and in clearing tho track the
express car was hauled to a siding
mile distant on top and in the debris
of the combination car. How the
colored passengers in this compart-
mcnt, which is known as the Jim
Crow part of the train, escaped, mono
Of them being killed, is beyond ex-
planation.
The wreck occurred on the crest Of
a steep grade, when the Atlanta train
could not have been running more
than 80 miles an hour, if as fast. Had
it been mile or two further south,
the number Of dead might have been
frightful, as the train was about two
hours behind its schedule, a condition
in the grade there that would have
meant speed Of more than GO miles
an hour.
1t was reported at first that En-
ginccr Kinney of Spencer, N c., who
was in charge of the engine on the
Atlanta train. was killed, but this
proves to he incorrect. Kinney suf
fcrcd only few slight bruises \ond
cuts, which were dressed and he did
not e" to hospital.
Mr. H. B. Spencer at Scene.
IN u C,>nnnor
president Of the Southern railway,
was a passenger on the northbound
train from the South, which reached
the scene Of the wreck few minutes
after it occurred. He spent several
hours there until the charred remains
| of his father were taken from under
the locomotive and then he came to
this city with the remains of his
father and those of his party.
The coach containing the corpses
was sidctrackcd in the yard above
he city. Casicts were procured for
them. These were placed in the pri-
vatc car Of President Stevens of the
Chesapeake and Ohio railway, who
was passing through the city with
his family, the car having been ten
dcred for this use by President Stew
ems. This ear and the one ontaining
the remains of the killed we're at
tachcd To a late train going north and
the remains were transferred to the
Baskets while the train was in tram
sit.
Judge John ID. lIorscly, division
counsel for the company here, and AS
sistant General Supcrinte tendcnt f.. II.
Coapman of Danvillc were in charge
Of the remains, Mr.. II. B. Spencer
having preceded this train ON spc-
cial made up here in order to be in
Washington upon the arrival Of the
regular train.
AT the city hospital tonight all OF
the injured colorcd persons are re-
ported TO be doing nicely. All are
expected to recover.
County Coroner j. w. Davis, at the
request Of the Southern officials, went
this afternoon to the scene of the
wreck for the purpose Of holding an
inquest, but he found the bodies had
been removed before his arrival He
returned to his home in the suburbs,
and to night could not say what steps
will be taken tomorrow.
The jacksonville express had the
right of way in the block and the en-
CINE left the train and proceeded two
miles, one Of which was beyond Law
ycrs before the engineer noticed he
was without his train. IT may be that
when he passed Lawyers that the OPP
orator there gave Rangoon clear
block, without noticing whether or
not he'rcar end markers were to be
seen before he did so.
Operator at Fault.
In the. absence Of an official state
mcnt, excepting that the operator at
Rangoon was at fault, that statement
is being accepted here. Tt is possible
that a railway investigation may de-
vclop taht the Rangoon operator let
the Atlanta train into the block on
an order from Lawyers that the block
was clear, the operator there think
ing the trainlcss engine cleared the
block, and the rear train had passed
Rangoon before it could be stopped