Wreck of the Don Milo

The San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway Company (S. A. & A. P.) was chartered by the state of Texas in 1884 to connect the city of San Antonio with Aransas Bay, and the rail line officially came to Hallettsville on April 23, 1887. A large celebration on that date brought 5,000 to town to witness the completion of the track over the Lavaca River around noon, and the evening arrival of the first train. The S. A. & A. P. Railway met financial ruin when a disastrous train wreck occurred on the wooden bridge over the Lavaca River on January 2, 1890. The river had risen to within fifteen feet of the bridge’s rails because of heavy rains. The engineer crossed the river in order to reach the water tank at the other side, because the water was necessary to power the trains steam-driven engine. The engineer then crossed back over the bridge to reattach the remaining cars. Upon preparing to cross the bridge with the entire train, the engineer realized that the trestle had been washed away by the surging water. Although the engineer was able to stop the train at the edge of the river, the weight of the train’s cargo caused it to plunge into the raging floodwaters below. The train carried liquor as part of its cargo, and the consumption of the liquor by spectators added to the confusion caused by the crowd of onlookers that soon appeared at the site. The wreck of the Don Milo, engine no. 54, caused additional problems for the S. A. & A. P., which had already been experiencing financial difficulties. The resulting lawsuits forced the company to reorganize, and the S. A. & A. P. was acquired by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company in 1892. (2009)

Wreck of the Don Milo is a historical marker in Halletsville, Lavaca County, dedicated in 2009. It is one of 96 historical markers documented in Lavaca County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 174 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.4373, -96.9417 near Halletsville. The nearest cataloged historic site is Old Sacred Heart Cemetery (cemetery), about 0.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include Hallettsville Memorial Park, Hallettsville, and Willoughby, Captain Leiper.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507015769. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.