The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-11-28
nxGfNnrn rraRELrs THANKS.


IL Touched by Kind Messages and C'riey-
cd over Ills Iamontable Mistake.
no the Editor: I take the liberty through
your columns, Of replying to my friends
ANA expressing the heartfelt gratitude FOR
the love and sympathy expressed for one
in those dark hours of suffering and sor-
row
Letters have poured in daily from all
parts of the State, from the humbIcst
employees to the highest officials, some
from friends whom it has not been my
pleasure TO meet in twenty years.
None but grief stricken heart knows
the value OF these tender loving letters.
They comfort and console my heart. When
am ready TO give up life, and the wound
that time cannot heal opens afresh, these
sympathizing letters make me stronger.
| battle them in my tears and thank God
chat He spared me to know and realize
that ] have many precious friends.
Before | was II. was promoted to an
engine. and have given all the best years
Of my life in the service of the road.
For twcnty-six years | have held the
throttle faithfully on the Western road,
I'm it's darkest days, when it had neither
money nor credit, and failure seemed in
eyijablc I served in every capacity could
for the interest Of the road. My heart
was In my work, and | was devoted TO it,.
though sometimes | could not draw ny
money mi SLY months
Under the slillful management Of that
q D., ~ fl
fall and his patience, perseverance and
self-sacriice were an inspiration TO me.
When his mantle ell on Mai Smith he
soon won the love and confidence Of his
men and shared with us in hearing the
burden i'm the darkest days. | next served
Mai. Wilson, that genial, VIII ls-souled
gentleman, whose warm heart still beats
in unison and sympathy with mine
TO me he was not only my
superior officer, but a true, warm
friend. in whom | could confde end whom
/ could love like n brother Cl. McBee
and Col. Andrews were kird dear friends
When they came we were having bright
er days. TIE memory Of all these dear
friends Pre- stamped indelibly on my
mind. ! love to revert TO them as my
officers and personal friends.
They have passed and Lett me at my
post. and at last TO tell the tale Of dis
aster All these years many times
suffered from heat, cold, hunger end ex-
haustion. and they never heard ire com
plain, neither did they say / discbeyed or
ders. But the pitcher went to the wen
one time too many.
/ received orders, read them wrong
for weeks without rest or sleep, and hur-
ried on, / made the great mistake which
has saddened my life. and grieved and
broken the hearts Of others.
While my physical pain is enough to
endure, my mental suffering is worse
If my life work is to end here, my past
record has no blot. I'm all these years ]
have stood the wear and tear better than
my machinery. / have had new engines
while / knew no rest, never cost the road
anything for carclessness, never mashed
but one finger for q man, ana paid his
doctor bill without reporting it,
While confined TO my bed, I live over
again those days, and though my life
has been hard, there are pleasant recollec-
tions and dear friends that / shall cherish
while memory lasts. I know not what
my future my lie. cannot peer through
the darkness that hangs over me now,
the clouds may dispense, and nay shatter-
cd nerves be restored to health again.
I feel that my destiny IS In the hands of
my God.
Thanking YOU dear friends for your
sympathy and interest, / remain
Yours truly,
w, p. TERRELL
Old Fort, \. c.. Nov. &c