Railroad Accident
On Monday night the southbound passenger train on the Illinois Central railroad was wrecked eighteen miles south of Holly Springs, Mississippi, near Abbeville, and the engineer, Wm. RUFFIN, so of Mr. Brooks RUFFIN, of Toone, killed. The accident occurred on a long trestle, and the engine, mail, baggage and smoking cars were derailed and precipitated into the water beneath. The unfortunate engineer was caught between the engine and tender and held up to his neck in the cold water several hours before he could be extricated, during which time he bore his suffering with fortitude and calmly gave direction to those who were endeavoring to relieve him. He was conscious of the fact that there was no hope for his life, and died soon after he was released. Mr. RUFFIN, here in this county where he was raised, was highly esteemed, and was universally popular on the road. He was a good engineer and a careful man. The wreck was one of the most serious that have occurred on this road, and was caused by a rail being tore up and placed across the track by some fiend in human guise. The wonder is that a large number of passengers and train men were not killed.
The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 29 Jan. 1886, Page 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
