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O is for One Dead in Christmas Eve Crash (A to Z Challenge)

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100_1291TRAIN AND AUTO CRASH; ONE DEAD

John Register, Unadilla Man, Is Killed; Another Dying.

ROAD CROSSING ACCIDENT

William Register is Reported in Dying Condition.

UNADILLA, Ga. Dec 24. – One man was instantly killed, one is dying and another given a bad shaking up is the result of a fast passenger train crashing into an automobile at a crossing this afternoon in the heart of the business district of this city.

The dead:
John Register of Unadilla, and well known throughout this section.

The dying:
William Register of Unadilla, cousin of the dead man.

Laidler Brennen, who resides in the country near Unadilla, receiving minor injuries, but somewhat shocked from the accident.

Attempts to Cross Tracks
The three were in the automobile of John Register's and an attempt was made to cross the main line tracks of Georgia, Southern and Florida railroad, it is said, in front of the rapidly approaching passenger train.

The engine struck the automobile a solid blow and lifted it up on its pilot and carried it a distance of more than two hundred yards, according to witness, before the train was brought to a standstill.

The men were pinned in the automobile by the crash and when they were reached, John Register, who was at the steering wheel, was mangled and dead, while William Register is now barely [alive].  Mr. Brennen's escape was miraculous.  [Macon Telegraph (Georgia), 25 December 1920, pg. 1.  Via GenealogyBank.]

Johnny's death certificate is available for viewing online at FamilySearch.org.  He was a son of Sarah Vaughn and William E. Register.

[If you're wondering what's up with all the "letter" posts:  I am attempting to follow the Blogging from A to Z Challenge(links to official page). This challenge lasts through the month of April, with Sundays off. Click here to see all my letter posts on one page. They will be in reverse order. Oh, and wish me luck!]

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Comments

PJ said…
I love how they used to describe accident victims - you wouldn't see the word mangled in today's media to describe a person. Great post as always.
April 18, 2016 at 11:20 AM
Darla M Sands said…
How tragic! Thank you for sharing these. It's moving and sobering at the same time.
Awakening Dreams and Conquering Nightmares with a Pen
Blessings to you and yours, my dear.
April 18, 2016 at 11:48 AM
GeniAus said…
"A Bad shaking up" - love the language in the newspaper report.
April 18, 2016 at 10:20 PM
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The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live...'" (Ezekiel 37:1-5, NKJV)