The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-08-15
BIG WRECK AT AUBURN.
Three Persons Killed and MANY
Wounded.
THE CONDUCTOR FORGOT ORDERS

OF August 9TH, on the Sou thern rail
way at Auburn, a few miles east O
Raleigh. The wreck was caused b.
carelessness on the part of Conducto
Oakley and engineer Rippy of tn
passenger train going east. Follow
ing is part of the story of the wrecl
detailed by the Raleigh Evening
Times:
Auburn N. c., August lone O:
the worst wrecks that has occurred
in North Carolina in many years tool
place on the Southern Railway las
night at 7:10 O'Clock, when a heavy
laden freight and a fast passenger
train crashed into each other head
on in deep cut one mile east of Au
burn.
The loss of three human lives, g
score more injuries, the destruction
of two big locomotives and twelve
cars, with their entire contents, were
the fearful results Of negligence to
orders on the part of the train crew
of passenger train No. 1876. Orders
were properly issued for trains Nos.
1876 and 173 to pass each other at Au-
burn, yet the orders were carelessly
overlooked by Conductor Oakley and
Engineer Rippy, while Engineer Par
ker and Fireman Young, of the
freight, unexpectedly rushed on into
the arms of death, carrying out the
which had been given to
the crews of both trains.
Passenger train No. 1876, schedul-
ed to leave Raleigh at $50 p. M, for
Selma and Goldsboro, pulled out of
union station last evening fifteen
minutes late. Just before s o'clock
Mr.. Henry W. Miller received infor-
nation to the effect that the train
lad a head-on collision with freight
near Auburn, and that three or more
persons were killed and many injur-
I'd. Mr.. Miller Immediately order
I'd out a SPECIAL train and summon
ed number of physicians, and every
preparation was made for
1urrying to the scene Of the accl-
lent
THE SPECIAL.
The special left Raleigh at $40, car
'ying Drs. Knox, Gotten, Stevens,
Moncure, Anderson, Mr..
Miller, Mr.. A. B. Andrewes, Jr., Mr..
Fab. H. Busbee and others, among
hem a representative of The Even
ng Times. Stretchers, bondages,
urgical instruments and medicines
we're aboard in ample quantities, as
t was not known definitely to what
extent the injuries and fatalities
night have reached. No time was
ost in getting to the location of the
wreck. Engineer T. L. Holder and
Conductor Lloyd soon had the special
)arty on the scene. A bright glow
n the sky in southeasterly direction
,ould be distinguished just after leav-
ng the city. and as generally sup
posed, proved to be fire of the wreck.
Is the train drew nearer the place
# collision, the scene that met the
,ye was one of awful destruction.
Bright flames were leaping high over
he piled up wreckage, and dense
LIQUIDS Of smoke were curling up
ward without any apparent check to
heir rapid increase.
THE SCENE.
Two powerful locomotives were
'ound with their forward ends high
Up off the ground and jammed tight
y together, as though engaged at
ome mortal combat, in which Meth
II side would yield the victory. Four
:ars of the passenger train stood on
he track, while the fifth, which was
'unning at the front, was packed un-
ler, over, around and about the en-
yine, which had pulled it for the last
lime. Eleven cars of the freight
rain, together with the locomotive,
1iled in the midst Of a fierce fur
lace that grew in extent and increas-
I'd in heat every moment.
INJURED PASSENGERS.
The first attention of the relief
party was given to the injured, who
we're mostly passengers, gathered in
.he rear coach. A special train from
Selma had arrived a few moments
before, bringing Drs. ]. D. and R.
P. Noble, who were busily at work
when the Raleigh train arrived.
Probably the most seriously injur-
ed among the living victims was Mr..
T.. B. Lesesne of Charleston, repre-
sentative of the Red Rock Gingerale
Company of Atlanta, Mr.. Lesesne re-
,eived cash two inches long on the
top of his head, the cut reaching into