Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-09-12
Fatal Accident to an Engineei

able winds.
Fatal Accident to an Engineer.
Mr.. Hguh s. Murphy, an engineer
on the Southern Railway, and we'll
Known and popular resident OF this city,
met horrible death 10 washington
early last night, he having been mashed
and scalded by the overturning OF To-
com olive near the corner of Sixth street
and Mary land avenue. The circum-
stances in connection with the accident
are sad, the unfortunate man having SUI
fered circulating agony while pinioned
under his locomotive, which had over
turned from some strange cause. With
one leg terribly crushed and his body
envel p-d by escaping steam and with
scslding water running over his body,
he Law for an hour and five minutes be-
fore he WAS released. He was hurried
TO a hospital, but his death occurred
about fifteen minutes after be had been
placed upon an operating table.
Mr.. Murphy was the engineer OF pas
seuger train No. 80, which is one OF the
fastest on the Southern Railway. 1t
left Washington at 1880 last night,
with Mr.. Murphy as the engineer ADD
Joseph Reynolds, also OF this city, as
the fireman. As the train neared Sixth
street aud Maryland avenue, going at the
rate of fifteen miles an hour, Engineer
Murphy raised up in his seat and sud
denly reversed the lever, at the same
time calling to the fireman TO Jump:
While the engineer still had hold OF
the throttle, the engine suddenly topPled
over on the right side. As the engine
fell Mr. Murphy attempted to jump, but
was too late, and his legs and right arm
were pinioned underneath the cab. The
rush OF the escapiOg steam entirely en-
veloped the engineer, and It WIS not
until about twenty minutes later that Ge
was discovered by iremen who had has
tened to the scene.
When discovered Mr. Murphy was
living face downward, crying for help.
The cuticle had peeled from his lace,
and his clothes were smoking. he hrst
called for drink of water, and, after
ne had quenched bis thirst with stream
from hose which was handed to him
by a fireman, he inquired If any of the
passengers we're injured. When informed
20 the contrary be directed that one oil
the men go to the roundhouse aud get
lack and release him from his position.
Desoite the fact that he was almost
blinded by the scslding steam and bolt
ing hot water was pouring on him IRON
head 10 foot the unfortunate engineer
was collected, aud gave instructions Tor
his release. -,
About forty minutes after the accident
had occurred q wrecking crew and tram
of the Pennsylvania Railroad arrived,
and five minutes later Mr.. Murphy wai
released and az soon as possible he was
removed TO the Emergency Hospital. by
Ss.s t:slo he was only partially conscious
and died at O'Clock from shock, fifteen
minutes after arriving at the hospital.
No reason can be assigned for the &C.
cident. Some suppose it was due to the
spreading of the tracks.
The engine was thrown on the tighl
s;de the boiler being smashed in snc
;he Glass windows in the cab demolished
The baggage car. directly behind the Gu
zine. left the tracks, but remained on III
wheels. The baggage master and his as
sistants escaped nnipjured.
IL was also said that the accident
might have been caused from the drag
of such heavy train. Several similar
accidents have occurred in almost the
same spo, within the past hys years
Mr.. Murphy was one OF the most pop
Mar engineers on the Southern road
He lived with his wife and four small
children at 9lS King street. Mrs
Murphy is q daughter of late Charlie
Cox and sister of Messrs. Robt. ID. AM
VIM. H. Cox.
Engineer Murphy's body was EN-
balmed at the morgue ia Washington
last night. Corner hewitt held al 10
quest this afternoon, and the Dod,
was later removed to the family resi-
dence in this city.
Mr.. Murphy was member OF 6sorg
Mason Council, Royal Arcsnum, and 2
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Eng
neers. of this city, in which organization
ne was very popular. Yesterday he va
in the best of health and shortly beioT
going to Washington 10 the evening t
take out his train, called at the Armor
Hall and secured permits for his childre
to attend the public schools. The d
ceased was native Of Fairfax county
having been born and reared ne;
springfield, a short distance from Ale'
andria.