Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-06-09
William Blackwell.

MIR. William Blackwell, of this city. fa-
mliariy known among railroad men as
Uncle Billy Blackwell, is without doubt
the oldest locomotive engineer now in ac-
| tive service on the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, and perhaps the Oldest IN con-
slant service in the United States. Many
claim this distinction, bul statistics show
MIR. Blackwell TO have begun his career
as an engineer as far back as lS49. He has
made successful run past the 7lst nile
post OF his age and is nearing the 55rd
mile-post OF his railroad ACTIVITY. he
was born in Washington county, Md,
April II, 1920, where he remained the
early part Of his life When a little past
eighteen years old he formed the desire for
rallroadins and secured position on one
OF the old grasshoppers as fireman, often
saving his own wood with which to
keep her hot This was in the fall Of
I847. After firing about TWO years he
was promoted to engineer, a very exalted
position. liz those days when a crew
left a terminal station they did not know
how far they were going or how soon they
would be back Uncle Billy's" FIRST en-
gine was the George Washington, a
grasshopper, named in honor OF the father
! OF our country lntha age OF railroading
all engines were named instead OF num-
bered. For about three years he pulled
the local freight or way train, after witch
he was placed IN the passenger service, IN
which capacity he has remained ever
since.
In 1856 he left the service of tie Bal
| timore and Ohio and Went 70 running an
engine on the illinois Central Railroad
oniy remaining there about three months.
! He returned TO the Baltimore aud ONO
where he served again until 1865. when
he went to the Northern Central Railroad
70 run an engine. After SIX months sgr-
wee onthe Northern Central, he at the
solicitation OF Mr.. Joseph Brown, then the
supervisor of ira rs on the Baltimore and
| ONO, returned 10 the road. taking a pas
senger engineer. Since at time he has
been constantly ELL. led as passenger
engineer. During he trouble OF 1877,
when the EMPLOYEES Of the entire Ball-
more and Ohio system were on strike,
he never ios. any time. Being engineer
on the different mai trains, he was unmo-
Tested in his work. His record for ex-
emptlon from wrecks ard accidents like
most OF he veteran rallroaders is very
good. Mr.. Blackwell says aside from
minor accidents, he has been very foriu-
nate, and never had verv serious wreck
Few engineers OF today are more
capable OF running an engine than
l"Uncie Billy" and few men have the re-
cord for keeping his engine in as good re-
pair as he. Although he is past II years
old. he stil keeps his engine shining. He
is running the Berkeley Springs branch
engine from Hancock 10 Berkeley Springs
Mr.. Blackwell is very fond OF hunting
and can often be seen out on the Berkeley
hill with his gun and when he fires some-
thing generally falls. For man of hi:
aye his ,yesight is remarkable, never
wearing glasses except 10 read.
Mr.. Blackwell keeps his face cleanly
shaved, having no beard or mustache. He
mas qGick, sprightly step, and as clear
a voice as youth. Few people on sho,
acquaintance wonld take him to be over
50 years old, and yet he has been railroad.
ing more than tha, length OF time. Mr.
Blackwell is one OF the two oldest engi-
neers on the Dal.i,Dore & Ohio who are
shortly TO receive handsome gold media
as token of the company's appreciation
of his long and faithful service. The media
it IS under Stood. will also be life pass
over the Baltimore and Ono railroad.