The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-11-26
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.
The Pathetic Messages Which Passed
Between Engineer James and HIS
Farmer Chief Y E NcBce.

OulCls IL IA ND|>'
Railroad officials are busy men, and
as rule, by nature OF their calling
| have little time for sentiment, should
they have the inclination. 1t is SAID,
however, tina, in the intercourse OF
those in authority with subordlnates
sometimes the strongest and the most
| lasting attachments are formed. This
was exemplifed yesterday by a very
Da,hetic incident which occurred IN the
| office Ui Captain V. f. McBee, gener-
al superintendent of the Seaboard All
Line. A hush Came over the assem-
biy Of two or three gentlemen who
were ransac,ing business with Mr..
McB-e a, the time, and during the
quiet which ensued the eyes OF the gen.
eral superintendent became susplci-
ously red as we'll as those who were
with him.
Mr. McBee for years prior TO his
connection with the Seaboard Air
Line, was witt: the Richmond 4
Danville road, in charge Of the noun
tain division between Ashevllle and
Salisbury, and Mr.. &. +. Williams, at
present his chief clerk, who was also
with him on the Danville road, re
marked TO a Vlyginian reporter that
many incidents had occurred within
the past three or four years which
would indicate that the faithful en-
ployees on that division have not for
gotten him.
1t is not surprising that the telegram
given below, signed by one OF his
oldest and best engineers, whose spirit
had probably taken It's hight ere
his dying message was received, deep
" affected him as we'll as those pres
| enl:
"OLD FORT, N. c., Nov. 10, 90.
"Captaln V. f. McBee, Portsmouth,
Va:
81 Will die this morning from IN
iuries received in railroad accident.
(Signed) "W. L. JAMES.
The mornlng paper contained an
announcement of an accident near the
top of the mountain on the Southern
Railway. Some one had failed to
obey orders. Engineer James, in
charge of the Chattanooga special,
had lost his life, as had also his FIRE
man. 1t is beautiful tribute TO
friendship bred of intimate association
between the employee and his former
superior officer as we'll as touch
ing illustration of the GOODNESS and
deliSeration which characterized the
engineer in death as in life, when
at the throttle of his engine.
Mr. McBee Immediately dictated
the following as last message to an
old employe who had been faithful in
the discharge of his duty when living
and in death though far distant, had
not forgotten him:
"PORTsMoUTH, Va, Nov 10, 96.
ar. p. Foster, Train Master, Old Fort
n. c.:
81 am just in receipt of the las,
telegram from Engineer W. l.. James,
saying he will die this morning from
injuries received in a railroad accident
II he still lives and is conscious, tel
him for me that he was one of the best
that t know HEIDI he did his his duty iiy" MAY
God nave mercy on him.
"V. E. MCBEE."
This message from a brave and lying
engineer to his former superintendent,
will give an insight into the character
of those men who pull the throttle fol
their daily bread and who risk their
lives in the performance of duty.
Commenting on the above touch
ing incident, the Charlotte Obser-
0er says editorially, under the head of
$50 Died a Hero"
! A few days ago we published the
Sad story OF young professor wounded
to the death in the machnerya at Glenn
son, College S. c., sending a message
announcing his approaching end to
his old preceptor, Gen. Stephen D.
Lee in Alabama and receiving a low
ing farewell in return. We publish
to-day from the Norfolk Nxginian an
account of Engineer Will James dy-
ing adieu to his former chief, Capt V.
E. McBee-a message pathetic for the
very courage of it: 81 will die this
morning from injuries received in rail-
road accident. The engineer had
made his last run, and that supreme
hour his heart yearned for the appro-
val and sympathy which he knew his
friend and superior officer of other
days would accord him. In this re-
public where we have no royalty, men
do homage only to heroes, such as the
brave engineer who daily takes his
life in his hand. TO those who knew
him, Will James was an ideal engi-
neer. A man of splendid physique,
fine-looking, fearless, swift but sure,
he lived the ideal engineer; he died
the ideal engineer. In the widest
wlerdest spot on his mountain run, he
lost his life. 1t seems fitting that such a
man as he should go to meet his God
from such place as that cut at Round
Knob, where the iron road tolls
around and around the grim, forbid
ding mountains side until at last, in
glee and triumph, it mounts the giant S
shoulder, and thence, runs smoothly
on into the river vale beyond There
is always the reminder in this
picturesque place that here science and
skill have overcome nature and re-
celved the reward of success, as Jacob
in the o!den day wrestled with the
angel until he won the wished for
blessing. Here man has asked of
God and received, and here we choose
TO believe God heard the PRAYER of the