Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-02-03
Soon came
for a crossing at C
the answer from No. IS:

"'To Hobbs, Dispdtcher:
we understand We are TO proceed to C,
and cross No. lG2 there.
BRUCE. Gondnctor' No. 65.'
ITO this promptly gave o. h, and
they were dispatched. As No. l0s had
not arrived at A, and no reply
could be received from them un-
til conductor and engineer had signed
the order, which, of course, the blue
flag would notify them was there, /
turned my attention 10 other duties,
and thought no more of that crossing.
until some time after it occurred TO
me that No. 102 was slow about re-
plying.
$50 calling the operator at A,
asked: Has No. l02 arrived
Arrived and gone, was the reply.
leone without receiving the orders
gave you? Impossible! Didyou not
display your blue flag?'
Mo- was the reply. Having re-
ceived no orders 10 do so, did not
The operator at A-was compar-
atively new man, a nephew OF an in
tiuential member of our board Of di-
rectors. through whom he had OBJ
tanned his position, and through
whose influence | WAS soon 10 lose
mine. His deliberate falsehood as
founded me, as we'll it might, for al
lowing the train 10 proceed without
the orders meant for them 10 run by
c. and endeavor TO reach their us
ual crossing place at b, a soon a.
possible. to save delay 10 90, which
was rushing along expecting TO reach
them at c.. The result must be
collision.
The thought drove me nearly fran
tic. Further questioning only result
ed in further denial from the operator
of having received any orders 10 hold
the train. which orders he accused me
Of having failed 10 send.
With fast beating heart. and a ter
rible faintness upon me, dropped my
head upon the instruments and prayed
for the poor fellows upon the trains.
How many Of them would survive the
wreck, which now it was impossible 10
prevent, for between the two heavy
trains rushing toward each other SO
swiftly, no operator was on duty with
busily clicking Instruments 10 warn
them OF their fate
Noticing my actions the dispatcher
eagerly inquired the trouble ! could
not reply i'll words, but noticing my
instruments calling. ! grasped n pen,
and with trembling fingers copied this
message. 1t was addressed 10 the SUI
perintendent from the conductor Of
No. 60, and ran thus:
"'Freights Nos. 6jand l02 met In head colli-
sion one mile east of C.. speed of fittrpu
miles per hour. e. rews OfbOth trans esca ped
uninjured. Fifteen cars derRird. fVc of them
WI, cked completely, badly blocking the ma In
line. VIII report IN person by first train.
My greatest fear had been that loss
Of life would result.
AS is usual in such cases, all the
participants in the affair were called
before the superintendent. Each man
told his story. The operator at A
firmly adhered TO his falsehood, and |
as firmly to the truth, but To no pur-
! pose. The influence OF his director
uncle saved for him his position. the
blame was attached TO me. and ! was
discharged, forced to give up my po-
| sition, and move. Some time before
this, trusting i'll the security Of my
position, ] had put all our little saw
ings together and purchased a small
house and lot in the pleasantest part
| of our city. | had borrowed from our
savings bank the sum o. two thousand
/ dollars, and placed a mortgage for
that amount upon the place, b balieying
hat with prudence and economy wet
should be able to repay and lift the
mortgage in due course of time.
a pleasant little place it was, and
much pleasure we took III fixing it up
with flowers and vines, until il pre-
sented Il most attractive appearance,
and TO ourselves, at least, was the very
perfection Of taste and home comfort.
Now it must all be given up This
made the blow doubly hard for where
could | obtain position at my busi-
ness, with the knowledge that had
caused a wreck?
NO. must give it all up, and com
mence at the foot Of the ladder again.
The company, having decided 10
put in the wires and open station AT
C, a a measure for guarding
against further trouble, very kindly
offered the situation to me. / could
but accept. Soon We Were moved into
our new quarters-in a modest house
near my station.
Day after day came and passed
so uneventfully as nearly 10 destroy
all ambition. Duties. there were none
to speak Of. Ny station was what is
termed flag station. Trains made
no regular stop there. and when ali
occasional passenger wished TO take
the train, "a very unusual occurrence
by the way, my red flag by day, or
red light at night, handled up the
desired train. | grew despondent.
Every day | lat in my little den Of an
office, listening to- the business pass
ing upon the wire. business in which
| took no active part, for few. indeed.
were the opportunities had TO open
the wire.
MY little boy was my almost con
slant companion. He took great de-
light in the rural life which We were
nhliDed IN Load trrau stout @ pd brnt.r,