Clarke-Jackson County GaArchives Obituaries.....Prater, William Lafayette May 19, 1902
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Meredith Clapper http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00012.html#0002801 September 18, 2013, 3:53 pm

Athens Daily Banner 20 May 1902 p 1
Athens Daily Banner 20 May 1902 p 1
Train Kills Mr. W. L. Prater
Well Known Athens Painter Run Over and Killed by Seaboard Train Early Yesterday
Morning On A Trestle Near the City

Mr. William L. Prater, a respected citizen of this city was the victim of a
horrible fate yesterday morning and now lies dead at his home in this city
mangled beyond all recognition. 

Mr. Prater was overtaken and run over by the early morning Seaboard train No.
41, at McElroy's trestle about two miles west of the city limits and was
instantly killed. 

Mr. Prater and his two sons, John and Frank, left their homes early yesterday
morning to do some painting on the residence of Mr. John Fowler who lives about
8 miles west of the city.   They were walking along the tracks of the Seaboard
Air Line Railway and all three were just crossing the small trestle when they
saw the train coming up behind them running at a terrific rate of speed.

The two young men were a few feet behind their father and seeing that they could
not cross the trestle in safety, called to him to come back, but he replied that
he could make it alright. 

He ran rapidly across the trestle and was about to gain the other side, when his
foot was caught between two cross ties and he fell back and struck by the iron
monster pulling the heavy train and literally crushed to death. 

The pilot of the engine struck Mr. Prater just below the knees, breaking his
legs and nearly every bone in his body and life was extinguished instantaneously
before his awe stricken sons. 

The news of the horrible tragedy quickly reached the city and the body was soon
brought to the undertaking establishment of Dorsey & Fundenstein, where it was
dressed and prepared for burial.

Mr. Prater was fifty years old and had been a resident of Athens since his
boyhood. He leaves a wife and five children, viz: Messrs. John and Frank, and
Misses Della, Ina Belle and Rosa Lee.  He was a member of the Methodist church
and of Glenn Lodge of Odd Fellows. 

The interment will take place this morning at Prospect church cemetery in
Jackson county, near the birth place of the deceased. 

The sympathy of the entire city is extended to the bereaved family in their hour
of trouble. 


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