SALISBURY, Aug. 20 — W.R. THOMPSON, of Danville, a brakeman on the Southern Railway, was instantly killed at Spencer Saturday night while riding as a passenger on No. 12, the northbound local.  The unfortunate young man was returning from Concord, where he had been visiting.  Wishing to save himself a walk from the station, he stepped from the train as it passed opposite his boarding place at a considerable rate of speed. No one on the train observed the accident, which was the result of being throw [sic] between the wheels in some way.  Later, the body was discovered by the track, much mangled.  The remains were sent to to the home of the deceased yesterday morning.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 31 August 1900.  Available online at digitalnc.org.