Obituary of Charles Chester Chiles
(C. Avis Catalog entry #20)
4/12/1904
Birmingham Age-Herald, Birmingham, Alabama
CHARLES C. CHILES KILLED IN WRECK
Engine Turned Over Upon Running Into Open Switch
SEVERAL MEN ARE INJURED
Accident Occurred Near Meridian Yesterday Afternoon, Fast Pan-American Special Being Ditched. Dead Man Well Known and Popular.
Train No. 4 northbound Pan-American Special, the fast train on the Alabama Great Southern (Queen and Crescent route), ran into an open switch at Arklet, Miss. about five miles north of Meridian, Miss. yesterday afternoon at 2:50 o'clock. The engine was turned over, the mail coach completely wrecked and baggage and express car and second-class coach derailed. Engineer Charles C. Chiles was killed in the catastrophe and several were slightly injured.
There are indications that the switch was thrown by some miscreant, the lock being found on the ground near by, and it is also a fact that no train had used the side track for hours previous to No. 4 passing that place. The full list of dead and injured follows:
Killed.
Charles C. Chiles, engineer, Birmingham.
Slightly Injured.
J. R. Murray, superintendent of bridges and buildings, Fort Payne; left wrist and arm sprained.
Aaron Durr, colored, fireman, Birmingham; bruised about body.
R. J. L. Richardson, mail clerk, Chattanooga; right leg and right arm bruised.
John T. Martin, mail clerk, Chattanooga; right and left side of body bruised.
F. Y. Moses, express messenger, Chattanooga; both legs and arms bruised.
Jim Whitney, colored, porter, left hip bruised.
Nellie Dickey, passenger, Houston, Tex., shaken up.
Mrs. Mollie Schwezeil, passenger, Olsen, Ala., left arm bruised.
The Wreck.
Train No. 4 due in Birmingham at 6:45 p. m. left Meridian on time, and was making good time when Arklet, a small place 4.8 miles north of Meridian, was reached. The train was in charge of Conductor N. A. Jett with Charles C. Chiles at the throttle on engine No. 181, one of the fastest and best engines on the line. Members of the train crew say before reaching the switch they felt a jar, which indicates that the engineer saw the switch turned and the speed was reduced considerably. A few seconds later the train came to a sudden stop and there was a great crash as the mail car, baggage and express and first coach were wrecked and derailed. The engine turned over.
The Relief Measures.
Dr. O. A. Harrison, the company surgeon at Meridian, and other physicians, went to the scene on the wrecking outfit, while Superintendent A. Griggs went down from Birmingham. The track was cleared at 8:40 p. m. and train No. 4 arrived in Birmingham this morning bringing the remains of the brave engineer. It appears that the engineer stuck to his post and was caught under the engine. He was badly bruised about the head and scalded. His death was almost instantaneous from all indications. The two mail clerks, Richardson and Martin, made a lucky escape, as their car was badly damaged. The express and baggage car and coach were not damaged beyond repair.
Every care was taken of the injured people and Dr. Harrison sent in a report that the injuries in each case were slight.
The Dead Man.
Charles C. Chiles, the most unfortunate one in the wreck, was one of the best known railroad employees in Birmingham. He was very popular about the city and was honored with a large majority a few years ago for membership on the police commission. He was always good hearted and happy and had a kind word for all. He was also quick to assist those in need.
He was connected with the Alabama Great Southern railroad for seventeen to twenty years and had never been in any serious wreck previously. He was a man of family, leaving a widow and three children, two sons and one daughter, ranging in age from 4 to 12 years. He married Miss Nave, daughter of Mrs. M. A. Nave and lived with his mother-in-law at No. 2217 Fourth avenue. He came to this section from Newport, Ky. He was a beloved member of Alabama Great Southern Division No. 436, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and that organization will send a handsome floral offering for the funeral, arrangements for which are now being made. The interment will be in Birmingham.
Investigating Wreck.
A full investigation into the wreck is being made by officials of the Alabama Great Southern railroad. Superintendent Griggs remaining at the the scene last night.
A large number of passengers who lived in Birmingham and vicinity were in the train which was wrecked. Friends here were greatly alarmed when it became known that the train had met with misfortune.