Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1899 — In a Railroad Wreck. [ARTICLE]

In a Railroad Wreck.

Erastus Peacock and his little son Blaine arrived Friday morning from their extensive trip south, having been away three weeks. A week or more was put in at Ga., where Mr. Peacock’s fruit farm is situated, and with the climate and prospects of which region he is greatly pleased. Yesterday, when coming home, and about twenty miles this side of Nashville, their train was wrecked, and it proved to be the worst wreck Mr. Peacock was ever in, in spite of bis many years of railroad riding. The train jumped the track at a misplaced frog and ran into a string of loaded freight cart on the side track. Mr. Peacock knew by experience what was coming, as he heard the emergency brake let go, and by quick work he not only braced himself so as to save being badly jolted, but he protected his little boy from being probably badly hurt, for the brakeman happened to be just behind them in the aisle, and she shock threw him directly on the boy, but by a quick raising of his knee, Mr. Peacock caromed the flying brakemen, and instead of lighting on the little boy, he pitched clear out of the open car window, Mr. Peacock’s car turned over on its side, but none of the passengers were worse hurt than bruises. The fireman was so badly hurt that he died in a few hours. The engineer and conductor were badly but not dangerously bruised.. The engineer stood at his post until he was knocked off, and by his quick work no doubt prevented a very bad wreck, with much loss of life.