July 9, 2008 Dutchman's Curve Marker Dedication

The marker commemorating the worst train wreck in U.S. history now stands on White Bridge Road near the entrance to the Richland Creek Greenway . The dedication is scheduled to take place on the ninetieth anniversary of the rail disaster known as the Train Wreck at Dutchmans Curve. Juan Gipson, Deacon at Priest Lake Community Baptist Church will offer a prayer of remembrance for the accident victims. Mr. Gipson is also Shoney's Company Marketing and Human Resources Field Manager. Shoney's Company and the Shoney's Restaurant in Bellevue helped with the purchase the Dutchman's
Curve marker and they are also providing partial funding for the documentary, Dutchmans Curve, Nashville's Story.

The documentary will relate Nashville and Tennessee history through events that occurred near the marker site and through the lives and family history of the people affected by the Dutchman's Curve train wreck. The film is still in production.

A reception at nearby Mary Queen of Angels will follow the dedication.

Featured speaker, Nashville attorney, David Ewing will share his knowledge of the rail disaster. Mr. Ewing is a former member of the Metro Historic Commission and is the current president of the prestigious Old Oak Club.

Douglas Bates III whose grandfather Douglas Bates was killed at Dutchman's Curve will also speak . Mr. Bates is a Centerville attorney, his grandfather also practiced law in Centerville.

Excerpts from the upcoming documentary will be shown, including a section that relates Bellevue history and the story of Daniel Timmons a young Bellevue man who died at Dutchman's Curve. Daniel Timmons was the nineteen year old son of farm manager Orres Timmons and his wife Ross.

Denise Nolan of Redondo Beach California and her brother Patrick Nolan of Leesburg Virginia will be present for the dedication ceremony. Their grandfather John Nolan Jr was an NC&StL engineer who died in the train wreck at Dutchman's Curve.

City Councilman Jason Holleman plans to attend the dedication and reception. Also in attendance will be family members of victims, witnesses and rescue workers as well as representatives from many of Nashville’s historical societies and museums.

This event is open to the public. The tale of the Dutchman’s Curve Train wreck is a story with national significance. It remains the worst rail disaster in the one hundred and seventy five years of American railroad history. More than one hundred people were killed in the head-on collision.

In 1918 The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Memphis Commercial Appeal and the Chicago Defender all reported on this disaster.

Schedule of Events

10:00 AM

Prayer of Remebrance at Marker Site
by Deacon Juan Gipson

10:45 AM

Reception at Mary Queen of Angels

Reception at Mary Queen Of Angels

Video Presentation Part 1 Introduction to Dutchman's Curve

Speaker, David Ewing
Video Presentation Part 2 The Railroad Men of Dutchman's Curve

Speaker Douglas Bates III
Video Presentation Part 3 The Passengers of Dutchman's Curve

Closing words, Betsy Thorpe

Lunch will follow the closing words

For more information
email history@dutchmanscurve.com

http://www.dutchmanscurve.com