Dallas Man Is Killed by Fast Train Near Forney

Daily Times Herald
29 October 1921, Page 2, Col. 4

According to advices received in Dallas Friday night, Charles Tatum, well known in Dallas, was struck by a Texas & Pacific train near Forney Friday afternoon and instantly killed. The body is being held by an undertaker at Forney pending the location of relatives and the completion of funeral arrangements.

Tatum was recently employed by the Texas & Pacific (T&P) railway in anticipation of strike trouble and was assigned to guard a bridge not far from Forney. Advices received here were to the effect that the man was caught in the middle of the trestle by the Sunshine Flyer, and instead of jumping from the trestle when the train approached, he tried to run to the other end of the bridge ahead of the train and was run down. The body was horribly mangled. Tatum, up to a short time ago, was employed as house officer at the Southland hotel, and had lived in Dallas for many years.

It is believed he has a daughter in El Paso.

Note: If you know anything more about this man, the accident, or where he’s buried, please contact Mr. Tatum’s Great-Granddaughter, Sandra Farmer at sandeefarmer@earthlink.net.