Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1908-05-27
DEATH OF GEORGE KEITH.
Lost Life BY Falling Under Blue
Ridge Engine at Anderson.

Ridge Engine at Anderson.
The following account of the
frightful accident at Anderson Last
Monday morning, by which George
II. Keith, former Walhalla hoy.
lost his life, Is taken from the An.
derson Daily Mail & -
While tagging his train, No. 1 s, OF
the Blue Ridge Railway, across the
North Manning street crossing this
morning at $50 o'clock, George Reid
Keith, fireman. fell in front OF the
engine. The trucks passed over his
legs, completely severing both of
them below the knees. He was
quickly picked up and hurried to the
Anderson Hospital. At 1890 he had
sufficiently recovered from the severe
shock accompanying the accident to
undergo a surgical operation. Both
OF his legs We're amputated above the
knees. He was, however, unable to
recover from the wounds, and he died
at 1915 o'clock this afternoon.
Mr.. Keith was about 25 years of
age He came here from Waiiialla
three or four years ago to work for
the Blue Ridge Railway. He was a
good and faithful employee and com.
manded the respect of all the off,.
cials Of the road. He was always at
tentive to his duties, and the officials
greatly deplore the terrible accident
and subsequent death.
No. Is, as all Blue Ridge trains,
has a flagman, and Mr.. Keith's posi-
ton, 1t Is said, was in the cab rather
than in front of the engine tagging.
He, however, was on the step on the
pilot, and as the engine approached
Manning street he jumped from the
step. He landed on slippery place,
and fell across the track He was on
the left side Of the engine and out
of the sight of the engineer, Mr..
Keith was dragged 80 feet or more
across the board crossing, and as the
trucks passed entirely over the cross
ing they crushed the legs of the un-
fortunate young man.
No. 18 this morning was In charge
Of Conductor w. j. Anderson and En-
gineer John III. Maxwell. 1t was the
regular morning train for Bolton to
make early connection for Green
willie.
The accident and death of Mr..
Keith has caused great gloom to
come over the city. He was favor
lite. with the people here, and his
death has caused genuine sorrow in
many homes. He was never married,
and since his coming to Anderson
has lived with r.. w. Anderson on
Murray avenue.
1t is singular fact that S. r.
Keith, Of Texas, brother of the de-
ceased, happened to similar acci-
dent three months ago. He lost his
right leg as a result.
The sad news Of Mr.. Keith's un-
timely death came as a great shock
to his hosts of friends in, Walhalla,
where he was raised to young man
hood. He was universal favorite
among all who knew him, and in the
hour of grief and sorrow the deepest
sympathy of the entire county goes
out to the bereaved relatives. Three
sisters and four brothers mourn his
death. They are Mrs. Il. j. Harris,
of Meridian, Miss; Mrs. j. r. AM
derson and Miss Lidie Keith, Of An
derson; s. r. Keith, of'Tyler, Texas;
w. r. Keith, of Charleston; Thos. r.
Keith, of Evatt, this county, and Jas.
R. Keith, of Anderson.
Funeral services were held at
Anderson this morning, and the body
will be brought to Walhalla on a
special train to arrive here at $50
O'Clock. The interment will be at
the Baptist cemetery at 3 o'clock.