The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-09-09
Rather He Clasped Her In His
Arms as Train Bore
Down Upon Them.
SHE BEGGED HIM LEAVE
Woman's Foot Caught in Rail
and Husband Was Unable
to Free Her So Both Were
Killed Instantly.

Chicago, Sept S.-The city was
thrilled over the story of the heroic
self-sacrifice of William Tanner of
Hubbard's Wood, who when he could
have chosen life decided to die In
the embrace Of his wife when death in
terrible form rushed upon her, and
though at the last moment she had
begged him to save himself.
While crossing the Northwestern
Railroad near their home, Mrs Tan
ner's foot was caught in groove
between one of the rails and a plank.
fast train was within 500 feet Of
her. Her husband struggled fran
tically to pull the foot loose.
John Miller, the crossing flagman
came to his assistance and both
worked in desperation with the head
light flashing full upon them. Then
there was roar and rush. The
watchman leaped aside, but was hit
by the steam box and seriously hurt
As the Engine Struck.
his wife and clasped her in his arms
as the big engine struck The engi-
neer had shut off steam and used the
emergency brakes, but the train was
heavy and it's speed was not ma
terially reduced until it had passed
Husband and wife were carried fifty
feet, crushed and mangled to death
Badly hurt as he was Miller man
aged to tell the story OF the tragedy.
1T was about $40 o'clock" he
said, when the Tanners reached the
crossing. / had signalled the vehicle
traffic to stop, but they could have
easily crossed but for the fearful
thing that happened. Mrs. Tanner
stopped on the southbound track and
cried. My foot is caught 1t was we'd
ged between the rail and sunken
board
THE man tried to pull the foot out
and then called to me. The electric
headlight was shining on us. The
train was fast train due in Chicago
in ten inmates. We both pulled until
the woman tainted. said, My God.
man, II is no use'
Would Not Give Up.
TRY again shouted Tanner. we
must save her"
The engines big electric eye had
now brought them into direct focus.
The crossing on which the tragedy
was being enacted was as brilliantly
illuminated as a stage.
The rear OF the train and the vibra-
fion OF the rails served to revive Mrs.
Tanner. She half raised herself and
called to her husband:
"Will. I don't think you can save
me-"
He could not hear her and bent
over her. She repeated her words and
added:
"Will. leave me. The babies and
your mother
The train was not more than fifty
feet away. Tanner, half kneeling
placed his arms about her and drew
her close to him. She put her arms
about his neck.
Il stay with you. Mary" he said
and closed his eyes.
One More Effort.
Miller even then made one last ef-
fort to save both. He seized Mrs
Tanner by the shoulders and pulled
with all his strength His efforts
were futile, but he continued them
and when the pilot OF the engine
struck the couple and hurled them
nifty feet. he was carried along with
them.
BY miracle he escaped death, but
he sustained fracture OF the righ.
arm, and his left leg was so badly
crushed IT was necessary to amputate
Ii.
Tanner was young man and a
railroad cashier. He leaves three emil
dren. Both his father and stepfather
were killed by trains and his mother
lad often warned him to be most
rareful. His mother, Mrs. w. ID.
Chatiey. said tonight.
MY first husband was killed while
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