Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-04-14
Terrible R.R. Accident.

icrflDte a.R. ACCI0cbt.
The Engine, Rappahannock, attached
10 the regular Freight on Captain Iden's
train, running between this point and
II lrrisonburg, blew up, on Monday mig hi
last, whilst standing at the depot at
EIarrisonburg. about four minutes before
the schedule line for leaving that place
on the return trip. The explosion was
terrible in the extreme, SCATTERING into
fragments The entire engine and killing
instantly Mr.. Charles Davis, engineer, and
Mr.. James Ash, fireman Mr.. Davis
was blown upon the left AID Mr.. Ash
upon the right of the engine. the fermer
torn into four pieccs-nis head found
about eight feet from bis body, and one
foot stripped of the boot was found upon
the opposite ,-sile Of the engine The
body of the fireman was found shout ten
feet on the right of the engine. with his
torch close by his side-his neck and left
leg broken and a bruise up,n his face
Mr.. Davis. tie engineer, Was a young man
of most excellent moral habits aud refined
and courteous manner, and highly esteem
ed by all who knew him. He was born
aud raised in Fairfax County, Of good
and reputable ,parentage. lie went. when
quite young, to the shops of the Rail-
road company, in Alexandra, where he
served regular 'tora of apprenticeship
He was then taken upon the Main Stem
as fireman and thence promoted to tie
rank of engineer. During the reconstruc-
ton of the Manassas Branch he was run
ming the engine attached to the Material
train, and was the first to run an engine
into Harrisonburg. the present terminus
of the road. For some months past he
was running the Regular freight from this
place to Hsrrisonburg. on round trips,
making this place lA:sfi,ome. where be had
formed many warn. frienils by his affable
and gentlcmanly department.
| But few days ago. whilst sitting in
our Office, talking about the great danger
of Railroad life. and the great dis
position of Railroad ,,compaRies to con
tinue worn machinery in their .soryics,
and compel men to be in constant danger
of accident, We asked kiai why engineers
would not refuse to take charge of do ubt
full or oil ma:hipery, and he replied tha
these cor ,,oratioBs Ecre so soul.ess tina
they would treat their hesitancy with in
difference and discharge them and Civ,
their places to others who are ever read,
for place. 1t is fact too true that cor
porations are too regardless of the live
of their employees-and beat off the sus
picion of .eulpable neglect by threats Of
displacement But there lis a remedy
and humane Legislation will look to th,
safety of these brave and accomplishing
engineers of our countries tEade and, pros
pcrity. The hnmanitarian will conceive
til, idea of protection to. the poor ass o
OK, but his philanthrophy for his fellow
human being is forgotten in his greed 70
gain. In la.e number of the America.
Artisan we noticed report from al
English. society insrela;ion to the caus
of steam boiler explosions. which showed
! that ninety per cent of such explosion
occur rfrop the use Of dspagcd boilers
and not, las is currently beloved, through
neglect. Aud further, that the cx
aminations usually in ti.ated by compan,