The Whitewright Sun
February 1, 1918
pg. 1
TWO KILLED IN WRECK NORTH OF BELLS FRIDAY
James C. Blair, engineer, was instantly killed, and J.J. Tryling fatally
injured at 7:30 last Friday night two and one-half miles north of Bells when
the Katy Texas Special was derailed and the engine and one car overturned. Engineer Blair and was crushed under his
engine which turned over on its right side.
Mr. Tryling was returning home from Dallas and was seated in the
combination baggage car on a box, riding with the door open when the derailment
occurred and it is believed he jumped and was caught by the overturned
car. Both legs were severed from his
body and he expired soon after rescuers reached him. J.F. Diggs, of Denison received minor bruises
and his left leg was badly scalded from escaping steam. Nine other were injured, but none of them
seriously.
The Texas Special was running on time when the accident occurred. While going down grade on a straight level
piece of track the engine suddenly left the rails as though the pony trucks had
struck an obstruction on the track. The
engine rode the ties for about three rail lengths when it suddenly lurched and
turned on its side on the right hand side of the track about fifteen feet from
the roadbed. The combination baggage car
and coach following the engine turned on its side crossways the crack, the
chair car was derailed and partly turned over, the dining car was derailed and
tilted to one side a bit, three sleeping cars were derailed while the fourth
remained on the track.
When the pony trucks were seen to leave the track the fire flew from under the
wheels as they ground over the spikes.
Engineer Blair arose from his seat at the same time applying the air and
cutting off steam. He opened the sand
pipes and reversed the engine, making every effort humanly possible to stop the
train before it was wrecked. Fireman
Diggs rode his engine and having all the confidence in the world in his veteran
comrade believed the train would be held on the roadbed. The train had only slowed down slightly when
the engine lurched and left the ties.
When the engine turned over Engineer Blair was trapped between the tank and his
seat box and he was found pinned under the heavy locomotive which had crushed
out his life.
Immediately after receiving information of the wreck from a farmer near where
the accident occurred, a special relief train was made up at Denison with Drs.
Long and Freels in charge. Passengers on
the wrecked train were carried to Denison together with the injured.
There were fifteen people eating in the dining car and only one person injured
in this car, although dishes and tableware were thrown all over the car.
Mr. Blair began handling an engine for the Katy on June 1, 1876, and had been
in continuous service since that date.
He had never been in a serious wreck before although like most veteran
engineers had taken part in accidents of minor nature. Mr. Blair was considered one of the best
engineers on the Katy system and had been designated for years at the engineer
to handle all important trains. He
resided at No. 611 West Gandy street, Denison.
He is survived by a wife, they having no children.
J.J. Tryling was recently promoted from chief telephone inspector to inspector
of telegraphs for the Katy system. Mr.
Tryling had been employed in the Katy telegraph department over fifteen
years. He resided at No. 931 West
Chestnut street, Denison, and is survived by a wife and son.
The Special was running between 35 and 38 miles an hour when the accident
occurred, according to the trainmen.
They had a wait order to meet the southbound Flyer at Terrace at 7:33
and were killing time for the meet order.
The fact that the train was running at what is considered a low rate of
speed and that the equipment was made up of all steel card no doubt prevented a
more serious accident.
