The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-22
Started to Run Across the Track in Front of
 A. G. $. Train
NEARLY EVERY BONE
 IN BODY BROKEN
Was Former Sheriff of Jefferson COunty--ln Office at Time of Hawes Riot-Funeral Sery-
 ices Today

Joseph S. Smith, a former sheriff If Jefferson county and a pioneer citizen of Birmingham, was instantly killed yes- terday afternoon about 4:15 o'clock at Beverly crossing by Alabama Great Southern train No. g. westbound to Meridian, Miss
 Eyewitnesses of the accident state that Captain Smith was on his way home and started to run across the Alabama Great Southern tracks at Beverly cross ing, when he saw the Tuscaloosa accom- mediation bearing down on him. It is stated that MT. Smith then appear ed to have changed his mind and to have started to cross the tracks again. It is stated that the train was coming it a speed which MT. Smith underestimated He was struck and hurled fully 10 feet away, being killed instantly Nearly every bone in his body was broken. Cap tain Smith was 60 years of age.
 The train. in charge of Conductor R. E Broyles and Engineer H. c. Fleming, which left the Terminal station on time at 4:10 o'clock, stopped a few hundred feet from the scene of the accident and
 
 sharp angle of the curve at Beverly crossing, Engineer Fleming is said To have stated that he was unable to see MT. Smith until too late to stop the en- zine.
 There were numerous eyewitnesses cf the accident and many passengers got off the train and viewed the body.
 Coroner Charles L. Spain was sum moned and arrived in an automobile m a few minutes Johns ambulance also arrived about the same time.
 After preliminary survey Coroner Spain ordered the remains moved to Johns morgue and announced that he would conduct an investigation Thursday. He said
 According to eyewitnesses the Tusca- loosa accommodation was making fast time and Captain Smith underestimated the speed of the train. l am told that he started to cross the tracks, then stopped, then started again and was struck by the engine.
 Beverly crossing is one of the most widely used crossings in the city. It is situated about four miles west of Bir- mingham proper and in very thickly populated area There have been several fatal accidents at this point. 'I will hold a jury inquest over this accident quite probably Thursday morn- ing"
 The news of the death of Captain Smith quickly spread over the city, and there were many expressions of regret as the deceased was well known and pop ular He was sheriff of Jefferson county from 1888 to 1892, and it was he who de- tended the county jail at the time of the Hawes riot on December 5, 1888, when several citizens were killed. Since retiring from politics Captain Smith had been an attache at the court house. He was returning to his home at Cleveland, a suburb, from his duties at the courthouse when he was killed Captain Smith was 60 years of age and is survived by his widow Mrs Mamie Mims Smith; son, Joseph S. Smith, Jr.. two daughters, Mrs. w. l.. Simmons and Miss Katherine smith, who is at school in Tennessee; two brothers. T. s. Smith and W. N Smith, and a sister, Mrs. W. s. Brown all of Birmingham. The funeral will be held at the resi- dence at Cleveland station this afternoon at 8 o'clock. Interment will be at Elm wood cemetery.