88 years ago today in Nashville, TN

July 9, 1980 7 die in a stampede to see Pope in Brazil

Eighty-Eight years ago today on July 9, 1918 101 people were killed and 171 injured in a train wreck in Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis train No.4 was preparing for its trip toward Memphis and was running behind by 7 minutes as train No. 1 was running late by 30-35 minutes coming into Nashville. The train station was very crowded, as most were during this time period due to World War I. Both trains were carrying workers to and from plants to support the war effort. A miscommunication from a signaling tower and the fact both trains were running behind led to both trains being on the same track near Duchman's Curve.

There is a tradition in alot of fire departments where a fireman retires the last day he holds back and doesn't respond and then takes the remainder of the day off after a well prepared steak dinner. On this day the Engineer of Train No. 1 William Floyd died on his last day before retirement. This is why we watch out for each other on our last day.