The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-10-11
KILLED IN WRECK
Engineer George BOney Met
His Death
Accident Caused By Damaged Switch
and Occurred at RockyMount at 2
O'Clock Saturday horning-Fire-
man Was Badly Hurt and Several
Others Injured.

A fatal collision on the Atlantic
Coast Line occurred on Sunday morn
ing about two O'Clock in the railroad
yards at Rocky Mount, when through
train No. 81, bound North, ran into
an open switch and collided with a
| freight train. composed of fifteen coal
cars. Engineer George Boney, who
| was driving the passenger train, met
| instant death, he having been buried
| under the wreckage of his giant en-
! gine.
| The cOlored fremen General Ben
nett, was badly though not fatally
| injured. Twenty-three other persons
| including passengers and other en-
| ployes were more or less hurt, al
| though none of their injuries are con-
| sidered very serious.
! The wreck is believed to have been
| due to a damaged switch, caused
| probably by the heavy freight train
| passing onto it from the main line
The injury to the switch, it is stated
| was discovered shortly after the
freight train passed over it but not
| in time to notify No. 50, which was
about due. The fast moving passen-
ger train dashed into the heavy
freight train, wrecking the switch
engine and badly damaging the pas
senger engine. The first two or three
freight cars were also damaged and
the passenger train suffered to some
extent several of the cars being part
ly demolished.
All the passengers were badly
shaken up but few received nju-
rieS.
The news of Engineer Boney's
death was received with the profound
est regret in this city, he having
been we'll known and highly esteem
ed here His body was buried under
the wrecked engine and it was after
several hours of hard work before it
was removed, being torn and mang-
led almost beyond recognition. The
remains were prepared for burial
at Rocky Mount and taken on Sunday
evening to Wallace, where the fun
eral took place yesterday morn
ing.
In speaking of Mr.. Boney yesterday
Mr.. E. Borden, of the A. G.. l.. de-
clared that the deceased was a man
Of the highest character and faith
fl employe. He has been connected
with the Coast Line for several years
and he had q fine record with that
company.
Wrecking crews started to work
Immediately after the terrible dis
aster clearing the tracks and in a
few hours traffic was resumed.
The funeral Of Mr.. George Boney
at Wallace yesterday was attended
: only by friends from his native
town, but by several engineers from
Rocky Mount and Wilmington and
members of the Wilmington lodge of
Elks, of which he was a member At
1890 the funeral procession which
was a long one, entered Rock Fish
cemetery, where a large crowd was
assembled to pay their last tribute
of respect to the deceased.
The services were conducted by
Rev A D. Mcclure of this city, as
sisted by Rev. Currie of Wallace.
DR.. Mcclure in his service paid fine
tribute to the deceased-a tribute
that could not have been surpassed
and one that was worthy of the man,
as those present who knew him can
testify.
Those who knew him best realized
the truth of the tribute and could
join in it's sentiments to the fullest
extent.
The pallbearers were Messrs. D.
Geiger, J. H Hughes, Thos. Joyner,
J. M. Donlan. Oscar Morris, w. Van
Hardin, c. M. Butler and Clarence
Brown.
The floral designs were many the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi
nees and the Elks of this city having
sent beautiful floral pieces.
The following engineers from
Rocky Mount and Wilmington were
present:
I. A. Clay, W. Van Noy, H R.
Barbour. J. H. Hughes, D. Geiger, J.
ID. Donlan, Walter Williams, R. V.
Canady and D. r. Branch.
The following from this city at
tended the funeral:
Messrs w. Van Hardin, Oscar
Morris, Clarence Brown, DR.. J. G.
VESSEL and Benz. Bell Of the Elks,
and Messrs G. III. Butler, H. B. Bal
ley. S. J. Boney, Will Grant and NJ.
H. Kelley.
The deceased leaves father, Mr..
F. Boney, Sr.. Of Wallace, two sisters
Mrs. Matte Boney Of this city and
Mrs. W. s. Boney of Wallace and
brother Mr. r. Boney, Jr., agent OF
the A. c. L. at Florence.
Thus has passe daway suddenly
one who was universally liked by
all the officials of the Coast Line and
all who knew him, for George Bon
er wa some to make friends and hold
them.
To his father, sisters and brother
the sympathy of the community is
extended.