The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-16
GOVERNMENT MAY
INVESTIGATE WRECK
IN BARBOUR COUNTY
Thus Far Death List Re-
mains at Twelve-Inter-
state Commerce Com
mission Takes Hand
nv L. s. BETTY

Clayton, November 15.-tSpecial.)-t
will be many years before the people
of Barbour county will forget the ter
rible wreck which occurred near here
last Thursday morning on the Eufaula
and Ozark division of. the Central of
Georgia railroad, causing the death of
IL persons and the injury of nearly
300. The horrible accident has been
the one subject OF comment for the
past few days and will occupy the pub
lie mind for the next few months.
Twelve Dead Thus Far
Although the number of dead is placed
at II, it is not yet known how many
may be Fatally injured, or how many Will
carry with them throughout life marks
of the appalling accident. The most au-
tlentic reports indicate that only12 deatfs
have resulted directly from the wreck,
but no report has been given out con
cerning the exact number OF those in
jured, although an attempt has been made
to do so. Neither is it known how badly
injured are some of the wreck sufferers.
1t is correct to say that the injuries
sustained by more than one half of those
who were in the wreck are not Internal
Some of the excursionists who were
dragged from beneath the debris of the
splintered cars scarcely bore any other
marks of the wreck than sprained an
kle, broken finger, or some other minor
injury; others were so badly hurt that
they had to be borne away on stretchers,
while others died.
The death toll resulting from the wreck
may now be complete, but some of the
injuries may be of so serious nature
as to make death inviting. Whether or
not this is true. there is no way Of tell
ing at the present time, for the injured
are scattered at various places in the
county, being cared for by relatives and
friends, and under the attention of the
physicians of their immediate section.
Tile people of Clayton. Eufaua, Clio,
Louisville and other places in the county
are unwilling to accept the railroads eX-
PLANTATION of the wreck While there is
no doubt that a broken rail was the
direct cause of the trains derailment.
there is a unanimity of opinion that the
bad condition of the roadbed and the rot
tenness of the crosstes We're chiefly re-
sponsible for the wreck.
May Be Federal Investigation
The feeling against the railroad COM
pany has not diminished during the past
three days, and there is a strong indica-
tion that the wreck will be made the
subject of grand jury investigation.
The federal authorities also may insist
upon an investigation.
During the investigation here yesterday
and today the interstate commerce com
mission was represented by Charles s.
Roberts, who has charge of this division
Mr.. Roberts made many close inquiries
of the officials concerning the wreck and
manifested a keen interest in the testi-
mony of employees OF. the company at the
public investigation held here. 1t is un-
derstood that Mr. Roberts will make his
report to the government.
1t is not believed that the public in
vestigation served the purpose for which
it was called. The railroad officials
showed strong inclination to obtain
all facts possible from members of the
train crew and local employees, but were
unwilling that any of the passengers or
e-witnesses of the wreck should testify
Moreover, they requested the members of
the citizens committe of Clayton to sign
the report of the officials as to the causes
of the wreck
In unanimously refusing to sign the
railroad companys report, the committee
placed itself on record as advocating a
different theory with reference to the
causes of the wreck; certainly that they
We're unwilling to accept the evidence OF
the members of the train crew without
an opportunity to refute that evidence by
their own witnesses
During the day the railroad company
had a crew at work removing the wreck
age. J. r. Johnson of Savannah and
other officials of the railroad visited the
scene of the accident and for a time su-
pervised the work. The railroad officials
spent the night on private cars in Eu-
faula and came to Clayton this morn
ing.
Worst in Roads History.
The wreck of the Ozark passenger train
is believed to have been the worst in
the history of the Central of Georgia
Railroad company and will probably cost
the company hundreds of thousands of
dollars. Apart from the numerous dam
age. suits which the company will be
called upon to defend, 1t Is certain that
the people of this county will insist upon
numerous improvements on the road.
It Is declared that the entire roadbed
between Ozark and Eufaula Is in a dam
oerous condition, and If the railroad COM
pany does not make necessary improye-
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