The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-06
One Man Killed and Several Persons Injured in Acci-
 dent at Crossing
CORONER RIVES HAS
 BEGUN INVESTIGATION
Driver of Auto and Flagman Make Statements as to Cause of Acci- dent-Injured Are Resting
 We'll at Infirmary

Other than the death of John Darling the result of the collision of Louis- vile and Nashville fast passenger train and a Ford driven by P. H. Hudgins and containing four other persons at van- derbilt crossing at 9:17 o'clock yester- day morning, it is now believed Mrs. Verdie Holmes, who was thought to have been fatally injured in the accident, probably will recover according to a statement given out from St Vincent s hospital last night where Mrs Holm es was taken following the accident Her 3-year-old daughter. Lorena Holmes and P. H. Hudgins were reported rest ing comfortably and improving at Me- Adory's infirmary late last night.
 The bodyof John Darling Dickerson who was instantly killed. was sent for interment to Vinemont at o'clock yes terday afternoon by Shaw Undertaking company.
 The smash-up occurred as the auto- mobile was about to cross the Wander bilt crossing at 9:17 o'clock. The Louisville and Nashville fast train No struck the car after it had been choked down on the track The car was en route to Cu1lman from Birming- ham and was completely demolished Engineer Duncan was in charge of the engine winch struck the car. Investi- cations were begun yesterday after noon by Assistant Coroney John R. T Rives, who said they probably would be completed by 10 o'clock this morn ing
 Mrs. Holmes, who lives at Vivian was badly injured about the head and was bruised about the body. It was at one time believed that she would not live. MT. Hudgins of R. F. D. No. | Ensley, sustained a fractured arm and the little Holmes girl, Lorena, was severely bruised in several places about the body. A MT. Hagler, who was rid ing in the back seat with MT Dicker- son, was not injured MT. Dickerson formerly was conductor on stree. car for the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company here. and also lived in Wylam.
 The accident was investigated by Detectives Goad and Macke as well as by Coroner Rives. The following is 3 statement given to the coroner and de- tectives at the infirmary yesterday by MT. Hudgins:
 "I was driving a Ford to Cullman In the car with me were Mrs Verdie Holmes, her small daughter, Lorena, MT Hag1er and Darling Dickerson. slowed up for the crossing and looked both ways but saw neither train or flagman Just as I got on the railroad track the f1agman ran in front of me, I had to choke down the engine to keep from running over him. I would have made it across if the f1agman had not stopped me. After the car stopped I quickly took Lorena Holmes and tried to get out of the way of the train but did not entirely succeed as some part of 1t struck me. If the fiagman was flag ging the crossing I did not see him as a gondola car was in the way"
 Mat Rolgers fagman at the crossing made the following statement:
 "The automobile came around some wagons which I was Tagging at the crossing for the Louisville and Nash vile No. 1. The driver choked the ma chine down when the front wheels had gotten in the middle of the track. The engine of the oncoming train struck the car before the passengers could get out'