Rutherfordton, Oct. 1--One of the worst railroad wrecks in the history of Rutherford County occurred on the Southern’s Marion-Rock Hill division at Hollands Creek, one mile north of here at 3:40 o’clock this afternoon.
Henry C. Baber, engineer, and a native of this county, Fireman J.G. Conley of Rock Hill, S.C., and W.F. Wise, foreman of the work crew, of Thermal City, are all dead. Baber and Connley were buried under the engine and killed instantly, while Wise died soon after. Wise was in the cab. He was rushed to the Rutherford hospital, but died before he reached there.
It was a work train and was pushing two cars and pulling one flat and a caboose when the car of sand in front of the engine jumped the track on the trestle, turning the engine and tender over, pinning the engineer and fireman under the engine. The engineer was soon rescued, but at night the fireman had not been found. It is thought that he is pinned under the engine. The right arm of Engineer Baber was cut in two. He was probably scalded to death.
The engine fell about 20 feet, also the tender and car of sand. The track was torn up on the trestle for about 150 feet, while the trestle was badly damaged for 75 to 100 feet.
Nineteen negroes were on the flat loaded with crossties behind the engine. Some of them suffered minor injuries. The flat and caboose were left on the trestle.
Traffic on this line will be tied up for 24 hours or more. The passenger trains will likely transfer here.
Engineer Baber has been a faithful employee of the Southern for over 25 years. He was well known in this county. He has one daughter living at Rock Hill. Conley is a young man while Wise was middle-aged.
Everything possible is being done to rescue the body of Fireman Conley.
From the front page of the Forest City Courier, Thursday, Oct. 8, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068175/1925-10-08/ed-1/seq-1/
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Fireman’s Body Rescued Friday
Rutherfordton, Oct. 2—The body of Fireman J.C. Conley, who was killed in the Southern Railway wreck here yesterday, was rescued at midnight. His body was buried under the engine. Workmen tunneled under it.
Traffic was restored over the trestle at 9:45 this morning. Four wrecking crews arrived at the scene of the wreck soon after midnight. They did quick and efficient work. The wrecked engine was raised today. Engineer Henry C. Baber will be buried at Nazareth Church near Welford, S.C., Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
From the front page of the Forest City Courier, Thursday, Oct. 8, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068175/1925-10-08/ed-1/seq-1/
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Baber Funeral Saturday
Spartanburg, Oct. 3—Southern Engineer Henry C. Baber, who was killed in a wreck near Rutherfordton Thursday afternoon, was laid away in the Nazareth Church yard at 2 o’clock today. Funeral services were held in the church, the Rev. W.Y. Cooley, assisted by the Rev. Z.T. Cody, officiating.
The deceased is survived by his daughter, Mrs. H.D. Bright of Wellford. The following served as pall bearers: Andrew Johnson, J.F. Morgan, Edgar Wilson, Oscar Wilson, G.B. Bright and A.B. Stokes.
Engineer Baber was a native of this county. He is an uncle of Mrs. J.M. Edwards of Forest City. From the front page of the Forest City Courier, Thursday, Oct. 8, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068175/1925-10-08/ed-1/seq-1/
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