Disastrous Train Wreck - Escambia/Butler Co., AL ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. ALGenWeb File Manager - Lygia Dawkins Cutts ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Contributed by Lygia Dawkins Cutts JAN 1999 The Pine Belt News Vol.II No. 1 February 26, 1895 Brewton, AL Disastrous Wreck Train No. 1 was wrecked at Hawkin's tresstle three miles below Greenville, at about 9:30 o'clock Saturday morning. The rails spread and the tender engine jumped the track, causing the combination baggage, amil, and express car, smoker, two passenger coaches and two or three sleepers to scatter on either side. The track for some distance was torn up in such a manner that it looked as if a cyclone had spent its fury there. The train was going fifty miles an hour, and was carrying several hundred to mardi gras. How so many escaped death remains a mystery. Only one person, G.R. Walsh of Birmingham, was killed and about thirty injured. Nearly all baggage, mail, and express matter was burned, as also were four or five cars. All trains were delayed until late in the afternoon, when traffic resumed.