The Robesonian., 1910-11-07
SERIOUS AUTO WRECK.

Ex-Sheriff C. B. Mcleod Ser
iously Injured in an Auto
Wreck Near Raeford-Car
Completely Smashed by Rail
road Engine and MIR. Mcleod
Thrown 63 Feet-His Condi-
ton Reported as Improved To-
day-Other Occupants of the
Car Uninjured.
EX-Sheriff Geo. B. Mcleod, of
Lumberton, was seriously in
iured in an automobile wreck
near Raeford Friday afternoon,
when the car in which he was
riding was struck by a passen-
ger train on the Aberdeen &
Rockfsh road and smashed into
smithereens. He was taken at
once to the Highsmith hospital at
Fayetteville and it was at first
feared that his injuries would
prove fatal, but his condition
this morning was reported as
very favorable. The other oc-
cupants of the car, Messrs. T.
L. Johnson and Tom Pate, also
OF Lumberton, the latter driving,
escaped practically unhuru.
That any occupant of the car
escaped alive seems almost mira
culous.
The wreck occurred at a rail-
road crossing about two miles
from Raeford. The dirt road
approaches the railroad at an
angle and woods cut off a view
OF the track for some distance,
but a short way back from the
crossing the track is clear. The
auto approached the crossing
al a slow speed, and it
seems that the train was gliding
along with a minimum of noise.
Just as the car ran upon the
track Mr.. Pate saw the train
upon them, turned the auto down
the track and jumped. That
quick turn of the car is probably
all that saved the lives of the oc-
cupants. Mr.. Pate got slight
effect of the collision as he
jumped and was whirled around.
striking on his shoulder. Mr..
Johnson, who was sitting alone
on the rear seat, did not have
time to jump. He slid to the
right side of the seat and the
force of the collision threw him
40 feet. He landed with one
leg in deep hole in the field,
the other foot in the ground or
top of tn e hole. He was
stretched considerably and slight.
ly bruised, but his injuries were
very slight. Mr.. Mcleod, who
was sitting next Mr.. Pate, wa:
in a position where he could no.
move without jumping on the
track. He was thrown 63 fee
by actual measurement, ant
landed in the ditch beside th'
track with portions of the aut'
upon him. Messrs. johnson
and Pate went to him as soon a
possible and found him uncon
scious and bleeding profusel!
from his nose and ears. Shortl
after they got him from unde
the wreck Mr.. Mcleod regaine
Consciousness. AS soon as tn
train, which ran half a mile be
tore stopping, came back, MI
Mcleod was placed on board an
taken to Fayetteville. He sui
Tered intensely at first but wa
given medical attention a
Raeford, and it now seems prot
able that his injuries will prov
less serious than was at frs
feared.
As soon as word reached Lun
berton of the accident, Mrs. Nj
Leod was taken to Fayettevil!
by her brother-in-law, Mr., Sand
Mcleod, in his auto. Mrs. MI
Leod returned home Saturda
night to meet her daughter, Mis-
Irene, who came home frol
Elizabeth College, Charlotte,
response to a message in regar
to the accident, and she and Mr.
Mcleod went to Fayettevil
Yesterday.
The occupants of the aut
people upon the train and othe
assert that the engineer did NJ
dow for the crossing. A colore
man against whose house tt
crossing whistle was alwa.
blown. remarked to his wife.