Bailey - Thomas - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

As the morning passenger train south on the Vandalia came dashing along last Monday at a crossing just south of Madison, a little way north of Darlington, the engineer was horrified to see a man drive deliberately in front of the engine. Steam was reversed and air brakes put on without avail for the great momentum of the moving train sent it crashing into the vehicle with an awful result. The horses sent in one direction, the man tossed high in air and the wagon knocked into a thousand splinters was sent flying in all directions. The poor victim was thrown up in such a manner that he came down upon the track again in front of the engine which must have passed over him as his body was horribly mangled, almost beyond recognition. Portions of the body, bones in pieces and portions of flesh were along the track sickening to look upon. The horses, too, were crushed and torn. The blood and particles of the unfortunate man and beasts told the sad tale mutely and pathetically, and indicated with what terrible force they were struck.  The unfortunate man was Thomas Bailey who resides near Frankfort. He was only eighteen years old and well liked by his acquaintances. He had been attending the fair and was on his journey home when killed. The engineer claims that he was not looking in the direction of the approaching train at any time before the accident. - s