THIS WAS WRITTEN FOR THE JULY 16 EDITION OF THE
WESTVIEW NEWSPAPER

The dedication of the Dutchman's Curve Historic
Marker on July 9th, 2008 was attended by more than seventy guests including railroad journalist Ralcon Wagner. The placement of the historic marker in June of 2008 was especially significant to Mr. Wagner. In 1978 Wagner contacted the Metro Historical
Commission to establish a marker commemorating the train wreck at Dutchman's Curve.

The Metro Historical Commission was founded in 1966 to "preserve, protect, and document the history, historic places, buildings and neighborhoods of Davidson County" and they considered Mr. Wagner's
proposal to erect a
Metro marker to preserve the accident site. In spite of the Commission's interest in placing a marker near Dutchman's Curve, funding for the marker was not available in 1978.

The Dutchman's Curve Project was formed in 2007 and thanks to interest in West Nashville history generated by the creation
of the Richland Creek Greenway and the support of the local community the DCP succeeded
in their mission to establish a Historic Marker on White Bridge Road near the entrance
to the Greenway.

The marker dedication and reception, hosted by Shoney's Company and The Dutchman's Curve
Project was attended by Belle Meade residents Ed and Hettie Stuart, as well as Katherine Timmons Stoner
and Betsy Timmons of Bellevue. Several elected officials were present including Senator Douglas Henry,
Council Members Jason Holleman, Emily Evans and Vic Lineweaver. Carrie Climer was the reception's hostess
and Shoney's Marketing Team Leader ( and former Bellevue Shoney's manager) Juan Gipson offered a prayer
of remembrance for the victims and their families.

In attendance were several special guests; Patrick Nolan of Leesburg Virginia, Pat Nolan of Nashville Tennessee,
Denise Nolan of Redondo Beach California, Nan Cross of Springfield Oregon, Doug and Molly Bates of
Centerville Tennessee, David Ewing, Terry and Jane Coats, Brownie Spicer, Kim Hoover and Ruby and
Tyria Thorpe.

Pre-production excerpts from the movie "Dutchman's Curve Nashville's Story" were shown throughout
the reception's program with comments by the movies videographer and editor Cyndea Wendell.

The film, is being produced by Jam Tart Productions and Woofer and Tweeter Productions and is a joint project of the
Bellevue Harpeth Historic Association and the Dutchman's Curve Project. Dolly Carter and Evelyn Underwood- Miles and other members of the BHHA were present for the viewing. Also in attendance
was the film's narrator and music producer, John Wendell.

The morning's featured speakers, David Ewing and Douglas Bates both addressed the racial binds and divisions that complicate the story of Dutchman's Curve.
David Ewing stated that the train wreck was a "perfect storm of mistakes", compounded by "overcrowding
and miserable conditions in the Jim Crow cars" and Douglas
Bates called the tale of Dutchman's Curve " a true Southern Story".

Impromptu speaker, former
NC&StL engineer Brownie Spicer shared stories of Nashville's railroad. Mr. Spicer drove Engine 576
until September of 1953 when it was retired and donated to the Citizens of Nashville. The engine
was placed in Centennial Park where it still stands.

The dedication and reception were held in the second floor multi-purpose room at Mary Queen of Angels.
Use of the room was donated by Tim Rayburn and the
food and beverages were provided by Mac McGee.

Following the speakers and the video presentations, railroad historian Terry Coats accompanied interested
guests to the room's adjoining screened porch, to view the train wrecks point of impact. In May of 2008
Mr. Coats photographed the accident
site on a flight piloted by Bellevue aviation instructor Joe Loftis. Mr. Coat's aerial photograph showing
the location of the head on collision is available for viewing at dutchmanscurve.com.

Family members of accident victims, Daniel Cliff Timmons, Douglas Thompson Bates, Willis Manning Farris
and John Joseph Nolan spent quiet moments together reflecting on the tragedy that altered the course
of their families history. Willis Farris, son of Alfred and Carnie Farris, and great grandson of one of
the accidents oldest victims recalled how his grandfather with his three brothers carried the body
of their father, Willis Manning Farris up the banks of nearby Richland Creek on July 9, 1918.

As the guests were leaving the reception one commented that the day was truly a day of remembrance,
and that he would carry that remembrance of the past with him as he looked toward his future. The organizers
of the day's events could not ask for better parting words.