Wrecking crews amid smashed coaches of a shattered troop train removed additional bodies of soldiers early today and night. Police Chief Elmer Roberts said the death toll apparently was at least 25.

Roberts said 21 bodies had been lifted up the steep sides of the mountain gorge, where a Louisville and Nashville train left the tracks Thursday night, and four had been located in the wreckage.

The army had not changed its list of known dead--19.

Army officers said 399 officers and men--92 of them selectees--boarded the train at its point of departure. The injured included 92 hospitalized at Clinton, Tenn., and ten who received first aid. The uninjured proceeded to their unannounced destination a few hours after the wreck.

Of the soldiers dead, seven were identified.

Home addresses of the seven soldiers already identified were still unknown, army authorities announcing their serial numbers only.

The body of Pvt. Dale Mattix Jr., who lost his life July 6 in a train wreck near Jellico, Tenn., in which 18 other soldiers were killed, was expected to arrive in Mt. Vernon over the Southern Railroad at 3:20 this afternoon. Pvt. Norman D.l Schmeltzer was to accompany the body here.

Pvt. Mattix was 18 years nine months and 26 days of age when he met his tragic death. He had been in service only a short while.

Funeral services are to be head at Hopewell Church at 2 pm tomorrow afternoon with the Rev. Clodfellter of Salem officiating.

Pvt. Mattix was the son of Dale and Gladys (Nann) Mattix, former Jefferson county residents who now live in Akron, Ohio. A sister, Shirley, also survives.

The body was taken to the Osborn Funeral Home at Dix and was expected to be removed to the family home northeast of Mt. Vernon.

Source: Unknown
Date: July 6, 1944
Submitted by: Ken Richardson