Mary Ann Perkins was born 1831 in Green, now Taylor County, Kentucky. She died December 24, 1888 in Bullitt County, Kentucky in a train wreck.
Her father was Richard Perkins (a son of Richard and Martha Corum Perkins). Her mother was Tabitha Buley Perkins.
Mary Ann Perkins never married. Her children by William C. (Curley Bill) Thompson were:
John Henry Perkins, b. Jan 1841-1848
Mary Jane Perkins, b. 11 Feb 1847
William James (Buck) Perkins b. 1847
Elizabeth (Eliza) Perkins, b. 1848-1849
Celia A. Perkins, b. 8 Dec 1858
Simon Richard Perkins, b. Feb 1862
On March 14, 1888 the first railroad train came to Hodgenville, Larue County, Kentucky. It traveled over the newly constructed rail spur from it's junction with the main line at Elizabethtown.
On Christmas Eve in the same year, a series of events occurred that gave a poor woman a small measure of notoriety and allowed her to become an unlikely benefactor to her family and friends that lived in southern LaRue County, Kentucky near its border line with Taylor and Green Counties. For this moment in the spotlight, and for subsequent monetary benefits to her family, Mary Ann Perkins and her grandson, Willie Houston gave their lives.
LaRue County Herald News, Dec 27, 1888
KILLED ON THE L & N
Mrs. Mary Perkins and Willie Houston of this County, Among the Victims
One of the most horrible railroad wrecks of late years occurred at Bardstown Junction, on the L & N railroad, last Monday, in which two of the victims were LaRue County citizens -- Mrs. Mary A. Perkins, and William Houston, a boy about seventeen years of age, son of Joel Houston.
The primary cause of the accident is not fairly known yet, but the facts meagerly told are as follows: The Lebanon branch train (No. 23), left Louisville at 7:45, making all stops, and the Nashville train (No. 5), commonly called the "Cannon Ball," left twenty minutes later, going at the rate of forty-five miles and hour, and making no stops before reaching Lebanon Junction. No. 23 was delayed by the heavy express business usual at Christmas times, and was thirteen minutes late when it arrived at Bardstown Junction. No. 5, going at a greater speed, gained seven minutes on No. 23 in the distance, and came upon it as it stood at Bardstown Junction. The track from Louisville is perfectly straight up to within a hundred yards of the station, where it makes a sharp curve, and the engineer of No. 5 could not see No. 23 in his way, until right upon it, and when too late to prevent the disaster. The train came round the curve at its fearful speed and although the engine was reversed and the air brakes applied it plunged into the rear of the other train, its momentum carrying it clear through the rear coach as if it had been built of paper, and half way through the second coach. Luckily, the rear coach was entirely empty, but the second coach was partially filled with passengers.
Mrs. Perkins and Willie Houston were on a back seat and were instantly killed, and other passengers were more or less seriously injured. The two coaches and the engine were completely wrecked, and a total loss. The fireman on the advancing train saw the impending danger and jumped off, striking a post and probably fatally injuring him. The engineer stayed with his engine and was badly hurt, but will recover.
The two bodies were placed in metallic caskets at the railroad's expense and brought to this county for burial.
An attorney for the railroad was in attendance and after seeing to the burial attempted to effect a compromise with the heirs of the two who were killed, and we understand compromised with the heirs of Mrs. Perkins for $2,000, but the Houston heirs will carry the case into court unless a larger amount is offered them....
The following was in the LaRue County Herald January 3, 1889
FROM OTTER
The remains of Mrs. Mary A. Perkins & Willie Houston were interred at the old Skaggs (Houston) burying grounds on Dec 25. We noticed in last weeks paper that a compromise between the heirs of the old lady and the Railroad Company had been effected. We will say that there were papers drawn up to that effect, but they have been set aside. Mr. J. M. Howell has been appointed administrator. We know him to be a man who is a gentleman, and the business will be done in a nice and agreeable manner.
Her father was Richard Perkins (a son of Richard and Martha Corum Perkins). Her mother was Tabitha Buley Perkins.
Mary Ann Perkins never married. Her children by William C. (Curley Bill) Thompson were:
John Henry Perkins, b. Jan 1841-1848
Mary Jane Perkins, b. 11 Feb 1847
William James (Buck) Perkins b. 1847
Elizabeth (Eliza) Perkins, b. 1848-1849
Celia A. Perkins, b. 8 Dec 1858
Simon Richard Perkins, b. Feb 1862
On March 14, 1888 the first railroad train came to Hodgenville, Larue County, Kentucky. It traveled over the newly constructed rail spur from it's junction with the main line at Elizabethtown.
On Christmas Eve in the same year, a series of events occurred that gave a poor woman a small measure of notoriety and allowed her to become an unlikely benefactor to her family and friends that lived in southern LaRue County, Kentucky near its border line with Taylor and Green Counties. For this moment in the spotlight, and for subsequent monetary benefits to her family, Mary Ann Perkins and her grandson, Willie Houston gave their lives.
LaRue County Herald News, Dec 27, 1888
KILLED ON THE L & N
Mrs. Mary Perkins and Willie Houston of this County, Among the Victims
One of the most horrible railroad wrecks of late years occurred at Bardstown Junction, on the L & N railroad, last Monday, in which two of the victims were LaRue County citizens -- Mrs. Mary A. Perkins, and William Houston, a boy about seventeen years of age, son of Joel Houston.
The primary cause of the accident is not fairly known yet, but the facts meagerly told are as follows: The Lebanon branch train (No. 23), left Louisville at 7:45, making all stops, and the Nashville train (No. 5), commonly called the "Cannon Ball," left twenty minutes later, going at the rate of forty-five miles and hour, and making no stops before reaching Lebanon Junction. No. 23 was delayed by the heavy express business usual at Christmas times, and was thirteen minutes late when it arrived at Bardstown Junction. No. 5, going at a greater speed, gained seven minutes on No. 23 in the distance, and came upon it as it stood at Bardstown Junction. The track from Louisville is perfectly straight up to within a hundred yards of the station, where it makes a sharp curve, and the engineer of No. 5 could not see No. 23 in his way, until right upon it, and when too late to prevent the disaster. The train came round the curve at its fearful speed and although the engine was reversed and the air brakes applied it plunged into the rear of the other train, its momentum carrying it clear through the rear coach as if it had been built of paper, and half way through the second coach. Luckily, the rear coach was entirely empty, but the second coach was partially filled with passengers.
Mrs. Perkins and Willie Houston were on a back seat and were instantly killed, and other passengers were more or less seriously injured. The two coaches and the engine were completely wrecked, and a total loss. The fireman on the advancing train saw the impending danger and jumped off, striking a post and probably fatally injuring him. The engineer stayed with his engine and was badly hurt, but will recover.
The two bodies were placed in metallic caskets at the railroad's expense and brought to this county for burial.
An attorney for the railroad was in attendance and after seeing to the burial attempted to effect a compromise with the heirs of the two who were killed, and we understand compromised with the heirs of Mrs. Perkins for $2,000, but the Houston heirs will carry the case into court unless a larger amount is offered them....
The following was in the LaRue County Herald January 3, 1889
FROM OTTER
The remains of Mrs. Mary A. Perkins & Willie Houston were interred at the old Skaggs (Houston) burying grounds on Dec 25. We noticed in last weeks paper that a compromise between the heirs of the old lady and the Railroad Company had been effected. We will say that there were papers drawn up to that effect, but they have been set aside. Mr. J. M. Howell has been appointed administrator. We know him to be a man who is a gentleman, and the business will be done in a nice and agreeable manner.
Mary Ann Perkins was born 1831 in Green, now Taylor County, Kentucky. She died December 24, 1888 in Bullitt County, Kentucky in a train wreck.
Her father was Richard Perkins (a son of Richard and Martha Corum Perkins). Her mother was Tabitha Buley Perkins.
Mary Ann Perkins never married. Her children by William C. (Curley Bill) Thompson were:
John Henry Perkins, b. Jan 1841-1848
Mary Jane Perkins, b. 11 Feb 1847
William James (Buck) Perkins b. 1847
Elizabeth (Eliza) Perkins, b. 1848-1849
Celia A. Perkins, b. 8 Dec 1858
Simon Richard Perkins, b. Feb 1862
On March 14, 1888 the first railroad train came to Hodgenville, Larue County, Kentucky. It traveled over the newly constructed rail spur from it's junction with the main line at Elizabethtown.
On Christmas Eve in the same year, a series of events occurred that gave a poor woman a small measure of notoriety and allowed her to become an unlikely benefactor to her family and friends that lived in southern LaRue County, Kentucky near its border line with Taylor and Green Counties. For this moment in the spotlight, and for subsequent monetary benefits to her family, Mary Ann Perkins and her grandson, Willie Houston gave their lives.
LaRue County Herald News, Dec 27, 1888
KILLED ON THE L & N
Mrs. Mary Perkins and Willie Houston of this County, Among the Victims
One of the most horrible railroad wrecks of late years occurred at Bardstown Junction, on the L & N railroad, last Monday, in which two of the victims were LaRue County citizens -- Mrs. Mary A. Perkins, and William Houston, a boy about seventeen years of age, son of Joel Houston.
The primary cause of the accident is not fairly known yet, but the facts meagerly told are as follows: The Lebanon branch train (No. 23), left Louisville at 7:45, making all stops, and the Nashville train (No. 5), commonly called the "Cannon Ball," left twenty minutes later, going at the rate of forty-five miles and hour, and making no stops before reaching Lebanon Junction. No. 23 was delayed by the heavy express business usual at Christmas times, and was thirteen minutes late when it arrived at Bardstown Junction. No. 5, going at a greater speed, gained seven minutes on No. 23 in the distance, and came upon it as it stood at Bardstown Junction. The track from Louisville is perfectly straight up to within a hundred yards of the station, where it makes a sharp curve, and the engineer of No. 5 could not see No. 23 in his way, until right upon it, and when too late to prevent the disaster. The train came round the curve at its fearful speed and although the engine was reversed and the air brakes applied it plunged into the rear of the other train, its momentum carrying it clear through the rear coach as if it had been built of paper, and half way through the second coach. Luckily, the rear coach was entirely empty, but the second coach was partially filled with passengers.
Mrs. Perkins and Willie Houston were on a back seat and were instantly killed, and other passengers were more or less seriously injured. The two coaches and the engine were completely wrecked, and a total loss. The fireman on the advancing train saw the impending danger and jumped off, striking a post and probably fatally injuring him. The engineer stayed with his engine and was badly hurt, but will recover.
The two bodies were placed in metallic caskets at the railroad's expense and brought to this county for burial.
An attorney for the railroad was in attendance and after seeing to the burial attempted to effect a compromise with the heirs of the two who were killed, and we understand compromised with the heirs of Mrs. Perkins for $2,000, but the Houston heirs will carry the case into court unless a larger amount is offered them....
The following was in the LaRue County Herald January 3, 1889
FROM OTTER
The remains of Mrs. Mary A. Perkins & Willie Houston were interred at the old Skaggs (Houston) burying grounds on Dec 25. We noticed in last weeks paper that a compromise between the heirs of the old lady and the Railroad Company had been effected. We will say that there were papers drawn up to that effect, but they have been set aside. Mr. J. M. Howell has been appointed administrator. We know him to be a man who is a gentleman, and the business will be done in a nice and agreeable manner.
Her father was Richard Perkins (a son of Richard and Martha Corum Perkins). Her mother was Tabitha Buley Perkins.
Mary Ann Perkins never married. Her children by William C. (Curley Bill) Thompson were:
John Henry Perkins, b. Jan 1841-1848
Mary Jane Perkins, b. 11 Feb 1847
William James (Buck) Perkins b. 1847
Elizabeth (Eliza) Perkins, b. 1848-1849
Celia A. Perkins, b. 8 Dec 1858
Simon Richard Perkins, b. Feb 1862
On March 14, 1888 the first railroad train came to Hodgenville, Larue County, Kentucky. It traveled over the newly constructed rail spur from it's junction with the main line at Elizabethtown.
On Christmas Eve in the same year, a series of events occurred that gave a poor woman a small measure of notoriety and allowed her to become an unlikely benefactor to her family and friends that lived in southern LaRue County, Kentucky near its border line with Taylor and Green Counties. For this moment in the spotlight, and for subsequent monetary benefits to her family, Mary Ann Perkins and her grandson, Willie Houston gave their lives.
LaRue County Herald News, Dec 27, 1888
KILLED ON THE L & N
Mrs. Mary Perkins and Willie Houston of this County, Among the Victims
One of the most horrible railroad wrecks of late years occurred at Bardstown Junction, on the L & N railroad, last Monday, in which two of the victims were LaRue County citizens -- Mrs. Mary A. Perkins, and William Houston, a boy about seventeen years of age, son of Joel Houston.
The primary cause of the accident is not fairly known yet, but the facts meagerly told are as follows: The Lebanon branch train (No. 23), left Louisville at 7:45, making all stops, and the Nashville train (No. 5), commonly called the "Cannon Ball," left twenty minutes later, going at the rate of forty-five miles and hour, and making no stops before reaching Lebanon Junction. No. 23 was delayed by the heavy express business usual at Christmas times, and was thirteen minutes late when it arrived at Bardstown Junction. No. 5, going at a greater speed, gained seven minutes on No. 23 in the distance, and came upon it as it stood at Bardstown Junction. The track from Louisville is perfectly straight up to within a hundred yards of the station, where it makes a sharp curve, and the engineer of No. 5 could not see No. 23 in his way, until right upon it, and when too late to prevent the disaster. The train came round the curve at its fearful speed and although the engine was reversed and the air brakes applied it plunged into the rear of the other train, its momentum carrying it clear through the rear coach as if it had been built of paper, and half way through the second coach. Luckily, the rear coach was entirely empty, but the second coach was partially filled with passengers.
Mrs. Perkins and Willie Houston were on a back seat and were instantly killed, and other passengers were more or less seriously injured. The two coaches and the engine were completely wrecked, and a total loss. The fireman on the advancing train saw the impending danger and jumped off, striking a post and probably fatally injuring him. The engineer stayed with his engine and was badly hurt, but will recover.
The two bodies were placed in metallic caskets at the railroad's expense and brought to this county for burial.
An attorney for the railroad was in attendance and after seeing to the burial attempted to effect a compromise with the heirs of the two who were killed, and we understand compromised with the heirs of Mrs. Perkins for $2,000, but the Houston heirs will carry the case into court unless a larger amount is offered them....
The following was in the LaRue County Herald January 3, 1889
FROM OTTER
The remains of Mrs. Mary A. Perkins & Willie Houston were interred at the old Skaggs (Houston) burying grounds on Dec 25. We noticed in last weeks paper that a compromise between the heirs of the old lady and the Railroad Company had been effected. We will say that there were papers drawn up to that effect, but they have been set aside. Mr. J. M. Howell has been appointed administrator. We know him to be a man who is a gentleman, and the business will be done in a nice and agreeable manner.
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