The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-02
One Man Burned to Death. Bishop Mccoy and Dr.
 Averyt Injured
CARS ROLL OVER AND
 SOON ARE IN FLAMES
New York Man Describes His Experi- ences-Ladies on Train Show Great Presence of Mind.
 Cause Unknown

Full of dramatic incidents was the wreck of Louisville and Nashville fast train i No. ', near Athens, yesterday morning at 1 o'clock. Never before on the Louis vile and Nashville according to old em- ployes, has there ever been wreck so complete in it's work of destruction. in which so few persons were killed or in- 1ured. Up until this time the express messenger. Samuel M. Chiffon. of Spring field, Tenn, is the only fatality, while the injured list is considered exceedingly small.
 The Dead
 Samuel NJ. Chiffon, Springfield, Tenn, express messenger. burned to death
 The Injured
 Bisliop James H. Mccoy, shoulder bruised.
 B. F. Tursy, Franklin. Ky. bruised. Mrs. Maggie Tursy Franklin, Ky, in formally injured.
 A. L. weis. Nashville, shoulder Percy Lunna, boy, Nashville, hurt Ncn head.
 D. P. Knapp, Ensley, decorations.
 L. G. Wright, Mount Juliet, Tenn, asn injured.
 Walker Bryan. Lebanon, Tenn, leg hurt.
 Mrs. Bertha Henney, East Highlands, Cal, head and foot hurt.
 Miss Madeline Roland, Nashville, arm [ hurt. . Mrs. J. B. Luke. Nashville, knee hurt. Henry Martin, Birmingham, head and shoulder hurt. Dr. E. w. Averyt Ensley.
 Brought to Birmingham
 The injured were brought to Birming ham yesterday morning on train sent to the scene of the disaster and reacned here at s:So o'clock. It also carried he passengers on the wrecked train. They gave some graphic accounts of the af- fair wherein the heroic attitude of the ladies on tke train shone with unusual briniancy In fact. several passengers said the ladies on the train were more .self-controlIed than some of the more ex- Sltable men on the train,
 From what can he safhefsd here it' the absence of official information. the train was running at an unusual rate of speed. Bishop Mccoy was quoted oyee the phone yesterday as saving that 1he speed was perhaps 50 miles per hour. ]; T. G. Walker, q banker of New York, interviewed said about 55 miles per hour was the speed. Another passenger said he was unable to sleep on account Of the fast run
 The train was nearing Athens and had blown for that place when like a cata- pault it vent off the rails. The baggage car behind the engine broke away rom the heavy iron mogul and went flying into a ditch. The entire train turned turtle excepting the rear coach, occupied by Italian immigrants, and the engine. The coaches and Pullman cars rolled up- side down and then caught fire. In short time the entire train in the ditch had burned.
 Banker Describes Experiences
 Mr. Walker, the banker, referred 10, gave yesterday modest and unbiased statement as follows:
 Tt was in reality the most remarkable accident that l ever figured in or ever heard about Words are Incapable of describing the scenes that followed or the incidents of the wreck. It was most re- lnarkab1e in every way. The entire train went into the ditch and then burned. leay- ing nothing but the iron of the cars. The fire scene was indeed brilliant
 'T was in state room when all of sudden two men came pling onto me. II weather, but awoke to the realization of what had taken place. My first thought was for my sister, who was in the draw ing room. yelled to her when she quiet ly replied that she was all right. The coolness of all the ladies on that train including mve sister was very remarkable. I have been opposed to suffrage for wom- sn until that wreck. I for them now as they are heroic. surely The cry went through the Pullman at this time that the cars were afre. One lady said. Shut up. Don't yet folks scared or something to that effect, showing that even the danger of cremation had no terrors for those ladies' I hustled around to get pair of pants but failed to find them. 1 sailed forth in my pajamas and with the aid of some men pulled my sister through the window of the drawing room. She had taken advantage of her time and dressed fully, even to putting her hat on. Finally l found a pair of pants, then coat and finally pair of shoes. gave some bare footed lady a pair of my bed room slip pers. inasnuch as her shoes were lost Some man threw my watch through the window, and I caught it in the dark Finally observed stranger putting on my trousers that I had worn Sunday | told him he might have the trousers in- asInuch as he had none provided he wo1id give me the money out of them, He reached down into the pockets ard gave me the roll. Then he gave me some keys. Tn the meanwhile the passengers were huddled together the embankment watching the burning of the cars. There was the usual terror in the eyes of many but the injured were very few. In fact am told that only four were injuref to amount to Anything. We all lost our luggage and clothes, but that was all
 Cause of Accident Undetermined
 The general opinion among the pas eengers passing through here yester- day was that the train hit rail either defective or one that had spread. How ever. the official cause of the derail- ment has not been ascertained yet. The accident occurred on the Nashville and Decatur division of the Louisville and Nashville, and reports of the affair were sent to the Nashville superintendent and the general offices.
 Yesterday morning the local officials were at the station and assisted in caring for those who were injured. Bishop Mccoy entered machine and was driven directly home. Mrs. Tussey was sent to her fathers home in Wood lawn in an ambulance, while Mrs Weise was sent to the Empire hotel. Those injured excepting Bishop Mccoy were
 
 up~~r~ Tawa.h