The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-23
TRAIN WRECKERS HURL ENGINEER ON SOUTHERN ID DEATH Two Huge Locomotives of Fast Passenger Turn Over At
 TaIIap apsosa, Ga.
TRAIN WAS PACKED WITH
 CHRISTMAS PASSENGERS
Due in Birmingham Last Night, the Cars Will Not Reach the City Until This Morning-All Pas
 sengers uninjured.

23, westbound from Atlanta, ran into an open switch at Tallapoosa, Ga., last night at 8 o'clock, resulting in the death of Engineer Samuel J. Downing of Bir- mngham and the more or less serious in- jury of several others, all employees of the railroad. Both engines of the train. heavily laden double header, were turned over and the baggage and mail cars deraied
 The wreck occurred at what is known as the east switch, at Tallapoosa. where spur track runs off from the main line to a glass manufacturing concern just outside the town. No. g left Att lanta yesterday afternoon at o'clock and was due in Birmingham last night at 10 o'clock
 The wrecked train was very heavy one and was loaded down last night at the time of the accident with homecom- CTS for the Christmas holidays. It had just pulled out of Tallapoosa and the speed was just being run up when the open switch was struck. When the first engine split the switch the steam was cut off, but the momentum of the follow ing engine and the heavy train behind pushed it one. Both engines ran into the open switch and both turned over.
 Downing Caught Under Engine.
 Engineer Downing was at the throttle of the first engine and Engineer Joe Lane was in the second. When the two loco- motives turned over, engineers and fire men were at the post of duty, and all Jumped just in the nick of time to save their lives except Engineer Downing, who was caught under his engine and horribly mashed to instantaneous death. Tom Will Hams, colored fireman in the first en- zine, with Engineer Downing had his right arm broken so badly that it was necessary to amputate the member.
 Engineer Lane and his fireman, Turner Davis, who were in the second engine, es- capped practically uninjured.
 The baggagemaster and two mail clerks whose names could not be ascertained last night were also slightly injured
 It is understood that none of the many passengers on the train were injured Had the train been running at a rapid rate, however. the death of many of the pas- sengers aboard would no doubt have re- suited.
 Both of the locomotives, which were of the monster type, were rendered practi- cally useless for further service, and the baggage car, following, was badly broken up. The passenger coaches were un- harmed.
 = Work of Train Wreckers.
 It is the opinion of the railroad officials that the wreck was the result of the treacherous work of train wreckers The switch showed signs of having been tam pered with, and had been left just half open.
 Engineer Samuel J. Downing. who met such a horrible death in the wreck, was Birmingham man, and was one of the most highly valued men in the employ of the Southern railroad. He had been in the employ of the company for more than 10 years. and had been on the run be- tween Birmingham and Atlanta for about five years. He had host of friends in Birmingham, not alone among the rail- road men, and was greatly prized by them as friend. An official of the railroad said last night: He was one of the noblest and most honest and valuable men in the service, and was as good as gold' The news of his death comes as a great shock and 1t is received with the most sincere regret.
 The deceased engineer was about 45 years of age. He was married and Is survived by widow and five children. His eldest son is 19 years old. The family residence is at 1916 Third avenue, south. Avondale.
 The remains of the deceased will be brought to Birmingham on the wrecked train, which is expected to arrive at about , o'clock this morning.
 Engineer Lane lives at S719 Avenue F, Avondale.