  The Sunday Gazetteer Sunday, November 10, 1895 pg. 3 A SERIOUS WRECK About 11 o'clock Sunday morning near Waxahachie occurred one of the most serious passenger wrecks the M.K&.T. has experienced for several years. Train No. 32, north-bound, in charge of Conductor (name missing), with Engineer Mike Murphy in the cab, was composed of seven coaches, all of which were crowded with excursionists en route to the Dallas Fair, and while running at the usual speed the engine jumped the track, turning over on its side, while the mail and express car left its tracks and shot out to one side, being prevented from turning over by a telegraph pole near the track. Engineer Murphy was buried beneath the engine and tank, and was killed instantly. Fireman Glazier, who was putting coal into the furnace at the time of the accident, was thrown on top of the debris and narrowly escaped an awful death, being severly scalded and bruised. The fact that he was shoveling coal is all that saved him, as his place in the cab was totally demolished. Over three hours were consumed in digging out the remains of Engineer Murphy, whose last act was to reverse his engine and put on the air-brakes. Postal Clerk Ferguson and Express Messenger Lyal were slightly bruised and considerably jarred, and their escape from serious injury is little less than a miracle. Four of the coaches were derailed, but only one of them was overturned, and it was in this car that the passengers were injured. The scene is described as heartrending. Women and children were screaming, and the steam from the engine made it impossible to locate the injured. It is said that the passengers crawled out through the small windows like so many rats, about twenty of whom were injured, but none of them fatally. The cause of the wreck has not yet been explained, but it is the consensus of opinion that the spreaking of the rails did the work. Wrecking crews were sent out, and late in the afternoon the track was cleared and trains were permitted to pass. The remains of Engineer Murphy were turned over to an undertaker of Dallas, and the balance of the train crew reached Denison about 12 o'clock Sunday night. All of the trainmen are residents of Denison, and Engineer Mike Murphy has been in the service of the M.K.&T. for many years, and was regarded as an honorable man and a skillful engineer. His death is mourned by his relatives and friends alike, while a loving wife feels keenly her severe loss. The funeral took place from the family residence Tuesday morning under the auspices of the B. of L.E., of which he was an honored member. The services were conducted by Father Crowley, and interment in Calvary cemetery. LOCAL CONDENSATIONS Tuesday, November 5 1895 - The funeral cortege of Engineer Murphy is said to be one of the longest ever seen in Denison, over 150 carriages being in line. Calvary Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message |
