The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-25
A WILD LOCOMOTIVE.
THE DEUCE TO PAY IN THE l.. r. &
NJ. RAILROAD YARD.
a Switch Engine Takes Fright at It's Sit
uation and Dashes Forward, Smash
ing a Number of Freight Cars and
ltself--Who is to BlameP

1t isn't often that n railroad locomotive
runs away, but when one does somebody
and something had better look out
For the first time in the history of this
city, within the memory Of this genera.
ton, one Of these powerful machines
broke loose from its moorings about /
O'Clock this morning, and there was the
very deuce to pay in the Little Rock Rail.
road yard, foot OF Adams street.
Attention was first directed TO tho run.
away by the sounding OF fire alarm from
enginc-house No. /, and an APrEAL re.
porter dashed out OF the office, coatlcss
and hatless, for the scene. lie proceeded
in hot haste TO the vicinity mentioned.
What he there boheld forcibly reminded
him OF what he imagined could have been
seen at the many notable railway wrecks
recorded during the past year. A whole
train OF freight cars was knocked out, one
OF them,an oil car being almost completely
demolished. The other cars were strung
out along the track, with ends knocked in,
trucks out OF gear, and some of them pay
ing respects 10 the mud alongside. At the
north end Of the string was Louisville *
Nashville switch engine No. 10, perfect
picture OF wreck and ruin. The locomotive
and tender were locked in q strong en-
brace, each being badly disfrurcd. Ii
looked rs though the latter appcndagc had
grown weary OF its pOrpctually rear condi.
ton, and cndeavorcd 20 climb over the
top of the cab and boiler and
reverse il. The cab, Of course, suffered
very materially in the vancouver and
there was little Of it lett 10 tell the tale.
The various pipes, valves, etc, connected
with the engine were bent out OF all shape
and rendered utterly useless
When the engine began is wild dash Il
was standing in the Navy Yard Accord
ing 10 the fireman, COMFY llough, they
observed Little Kocl, d Memphis loco
motive coming up. i, siring to move out
Of the way, they opened up the
throttle valve, when it went back
on them and the machine dashed
forward at q mad rate OF speed. Mr..
llough saws further TINT the way they
escaped injury and perhaps death was by
jumping oil between Washington and
Poplar streets. The distance run was
about four squares.
UNIV till'Nl hdlthu lNlH hllfltul
phase on the case. lie insists that he was
passing Mrs. McCarthy's saloon, No. Z
Poplar street, about the time of the alarm,
and saw two men emerge carry
ing lanterns. As they reached the
door one Of them exclaimed. "Ry
Cd, boys, she's gonc." and both hurried
toward the scene. lie Is confident they
were Engineer Jake Sellers and Fireman
COMFY llough. This will afford material
for rigid investigation on the part Of the
railroad and city authorities
The Louisville & Nashville Com
pany could well afford 20 get rid
OF old No. ~. IL has been
identified with nearly every accident the
has had az this end of the line.
The number ui men il has killed. and
under Engineer Sellers, is frightiu. II has
frequently left the track. and now il
winds up its career by running away.
But as 10 how It run away remains TO be
seen. The theory Of those coguizint 81
reports. and those making them, "a that
while the engineer aud fireman were away
some one boarded and gave her
the start.
The reporter is constrained TO refer
with no degree of favor 10 very fresh
Young man at the scene, reported as the
Little Rock depot telegraph operator.
bis oilirousucss aud dcvil.sh
activity among the other employees tho re-.
porter WAS himprrcd IN gathering details,
and II these given are incorrect the com.
pany may thank It's servants for il.