The Death of John Lee Briggs

Copied from the “Weekly Corinthian”, published 3-31-1903

“Fell From Train Crushing His Head”

An aged traveler is killed near city this morning – came from

East Tennessee and was enroute to Idaho.

John Briggs aged 87 years, who was a passenger on the west bound

Southern Train this morning fell from the train and was killed. He

was from East Tennessee and was on his way to Idaho, accompanied

by his son and nephew. He had been in the smoking car and as the

train neared Corinth (Mississippi) where he was to transfer to the

M & O, he was woke up and told to be ready to get off. In attempting

to go from the smoker to the ladies coach, he fell from the train and was

killed instantly, his head being crushed and badly bruised. His feet

were extended toward the track and one heel was cut off by the flare

of the car wheels. He was not missed by his son and nephew until the

train stopped at the station here and search of the train was made for him.

The son and station agent started up the track to find him and when near

the section house, two miles east, his body was found lying beside the track.

His remains will be buried in Corinth.

D.O.B. 7-18-1816 D.O.D. 3-27-1903