The Death of Joella Bowles
Miss Boler Horribly Mangled
Caught on a Trestle by a Passenger Train and Killed
Dallas Morning News
14 March 1893
(CAUTION – NOT FOR A WEAK STOMACH!)
Forney, Kaufman Co., Tex., March 13 – A horrible accident occurred one mile east of here in the Texas and Pacific railroad. Miss Joella Boler, who lived about two miles east of this place with her parents, had attended church in Forney and was returning home on the railroad track accompanied by Willis Moore. They reached a trestle where there is a curve in the road. Passenger train No. 4 was seen coming around the curve. They started across the trestle, thinking they had time to reach the other end; but seeing themselves in close quarters they made a leap for the ground when Miss Boler’s foot slipped between the ties and before her companion could free her from her perilous position she was struck by the engine and frightfully mangled. She was knocked from her companion’s grasp and he only saved himself by falling out of the way. Her body was torn into fragments and was picked up a piece at a time and laid in a coffin. The remains were carried to Terrell to-day for interment.
Note: Could be “Boles” or “Bowles”
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Girl Killed on Train Tracks
Forney Tribune
15 March 1893
The most horrible accident that has ever happened in Forney transpired Sunday night and Miss Joella Bowles was the victim. Several young couples from the country walked to town to attend church Sunday night. After church was dismissed a little after 9 o’clock, they started for home, walking on the railroad tracks. They had proceeded about three-fourths of a mile when they reached the trestle over Mustang Creek and the 9:30 passenger was heard coming. Two couples, including Mr. W.M. Moore and Miss Bowles, were still on the trestle. Miss Bowles wanted to continue across. Mr. Moore said he did not think they could get over in time but agreed to go with her. Before they had gone far they looked and saw the train nearly on them. He jumped and tried to pull her off the track but her foot was fastened and the train struck her. The body was literally cut to pieces and was so mutilated it could not have been recognized. Her brains were scattered all along the track. One of her arms was taken off the engine. The remains were gathered up and placed in a coffin and taken to Terrell Monday for burial.
