Grayson County TXGenWeb

Houston and Texas Central Railway
H. &T.C.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, July 21, 1889

GROUND TO DEATH
Tommie Turner is Fairly Pulverized by the Cars

The most distressing and horrible accident that has happened in the railway yards of this city for two years occurred upon the Main Street crossing of the Houston & Texas Central Monday evening about six o'clock. Tommie Turner, aged 12 years, whose parents live in a tent in the western suburb and whose father follows the business of a wood hauler, was crossing the tracks coming up town, having been over the south side collecting money. The switch engine was passing down the main line pushing several freight cars before it and as the train blocked his way, he stopped in the middle of the adjacent lead to let it go by. A freight car had just been kicked in upon the track on which he stood but he did not see it until it struck him. It is doubtful if he saw it then, for in an instant he was beneath the wheels a mangled and unrecognizable mass. The wheels passed over both arms and the centre of the body and crushed the face until but a small portion of the back part of the head remained. The remnants were picked up and taken to the undertaking establishment of Harriman & Morris where they were prepared for burial.
Tommie Turner was a well known figure upon the streets of Denison, and with business men and others on Main Street was very popular. He was bright, intelligent and always courteous, and he would stay upon the street if necessary, till 11 o'clock at night to seel his load of rails. His simple little life was one of patience and cheerfulness and his melancholy fate becomes therefore all the more deplorable.
The remains of Tommie Turner were interred Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The Houston & Texas Central railway company offered to stand the expenses but their assistance was refused by the father and the money was raised by contribution among the merchants.
Late intelligence develops the fact that the boy with his team was the only means of support the family had, the father being physically incapacitated for work.