Mr. W.B. SMITH, living three miles this side of Wake Forest, had a narrow escape from death Sunday morning.  He was on his way to church, with his wife, in a buggy, and when just about to cross the railroad heard a scream from a boy.  He pulled up his horse, and the next instant and engine and car flew by like lightening, passing within a foot of the horse’s head.

Source: Raleigh News and Observer. 14 Sep 1880. pg. 3.