Extracted from The Morning Call (Laurel, MS)
Wednesday, October 30, 1929

TRAIN KILLS MOSELLE MAN TUESDAY A.M.

Griffin Hailes Meets Death Enroute to E[a]stabutchie

GRADE CROSSING ACCIDENT SCENE

Young Man Was Noted for Athletics in Ellisville.

His failure to see an approaching freight train on the Southern railroad near E[a]stabutchie Tuesday morning at 10:15 o'clock caused the almost instant death of Griffin Hailes, 27 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Hailes of near Moselle. The automobile which he was driving and which he was occupying alone, was struck by a north bound train and carried quite a distance when it was tossed to the side of the track almost completely demolished.

The train was stopped almost immediately with the passing of the wrecked car from the track to the ditch. Trainmen made a hasty examination and found that the only occupant was all but dead. Seemingly he had been struck by the front of the train and suffered fatal injuries before the automobile, in a badly damaged condition, as a result of having been carried along the tracks, was thrown from the rails.

Assistance from E[a]stabutchie was soon at hand and it was decided that the undertakers at Hattiesburg be notified. Young Hailes, who died almost immediately, was identified by persons from E[a]stabutchie. There were some bruises on the body justifying the theory that the unfortunate young man had evidently been struck by the front of the train when the collision took place.

The fatal accident is at a crossing where there is a perceptible grade, it is said. The engineer at the train stated that he sounded his whistle as usual and that the driver of the car evidently did not see the train, since the automobile was driven upon the tracks immediately in front of it and the collision was inevitable.

The Hullett undertaking establishment of Hattiesburg was notified and the body was taken there. The parents of young Hailes were notified. Late last night there had been no arrangements made for the funeral. Young Hailes was widely known as a student and athlete and was graduated from the Ellisville High School a few years ago. He was enroute to Eastabuchie, it was stated, at the time of the accident.

G. E. Hailes, his father, extensively known as an agriculturalist and for some time connected with the First National bank of Laurel, is following this profession, being engaged in the southern part of the state. He was notified of the death of his son last night.

Besides his parents, the deceased is survived by two brothers, Carl and Porter and three sisters, Miss Leola, Mrs. Maud Kobb [sic Kolb] and Mrs. Ruby Murr [sic Murff], of near Moselle.

Young Hailes, who was unmarried, was for years a student at Ellisville, and is said to have taken an active interest in athletics and was among those at the head of his class when he was graduated. It is believed that owing to his wide acquaintance and popularity among the younger people and former school students, that there will be a large attendance at the funeral services. Funeral details it was given out last night, would not be decided upon until today.