The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-09-12
BRAVE ENGINEER
HELDTOTHROTTLE.
GAVE UP HIS LIFE
Hugh Murphy Crushed
and Scalded. Under
Overturned Engine.

AAaAulFI py a DTeSeullutnL OF llilpGh4-
ing death, Hugh L. Murphy. an engineer
IN the employ Of the Southern Railway,
yesterday afternoon kissed his wife
good-by and started for his work.
Within two hours he was lying under
hts overturned engine. suffering horrible
aEoHies, but brave and cool 20 the last.
A little later on cot IN the Emergency
Hospital his gallant spirit took it's flight.
Three times he returned to his home
and repeated his farewell 70 his wife be-
fore finally taking a trolley car from
Alexandria for the city.
Bravery Saved Passengers.
Undying for.itude and bravery on the
part Of Murphy saved hundreds Of per-
sons from what seemed immediate death
last night about o'clock. Murphy
lived at 91S King street. Alexandria. and
was engineer of Train 80. which pulled
out OF the Sixth street station a faw
moments before O'Clock While turn
ing the curve at Sixth street and Mary
land avenue. the locomotive jumped the
track. pinloning Murphy IN the reverse
lever, which he chung TO herolCally, that
his train and its passengers might be
saved. For one hour and 1--WE minutes
he was fastened beneath the overturned
engine. with the hot scalding steam
pouring over his body.
Suffering the most intense pain, Muir
ply was eXtricated and hurried to the
Emergency Hospital, where he died
thirty minutes afterward. while on the
operating table The body was removed
TO the m0rgue. and his relatives nOu-
fed. This afternoon, a corouer's inquest.
which began az ? o'clock. Is lnvestigat-
ing his death. When the investigation
is concluded. his body will be turned
over to Hindle & Bayliss. underwriters.
and later viii be shipped 10 Alexandria.
Requiem mass viii be said for the re-
pose Of his soul tomorrow morning at
ST. Mary's Catholic Church. where
Murphy and his family worshiped 9th
er funeral details are not complete.
One Of Fastest Trains.
The train on which Murphy was en-
gineer is one Of the fastest run bv the
Southern between Washington and
Florida. 1t is due 10 leave this city NJ
7:30 o'clock. Last night 81 was some
what late IN getting away. In the cab
with Murphy. when the throttle was
pulled for the long trip. was his fireman,
Joseph REYNOLDS. A fellow engineer
saw the train steaming away from the
shed about the rate Of fifteen miles an
hour. Until the curve is reached at
Maryland avenue and Sixth street, there
is an upgrade, and frequently two en-
gines are necessary to get a heavy train
OF cars out of the yards.
Under full head Of steam Murphy's en-
CIV. 49,
big load. and as II approached the sharp
bend every moment IL seemed that the
engine was too light, and an eye
witness saw Il almost lift itself up. so
great was the pressure. The cause OF
the deraHrnent was the breaking Of the
hanges and the front wheels jumping
of. sending the locomotive crashing over
the grade.
Displaying a Aeroism truly remark
able, Murphy had only one thought for
the safey OF the lives intrusted 10 his
care. When he saw he was imperlIed
and the engine was about 10 topple
over the tracks he raised out OF his
seat and gave the reverse lever a
mighty jerk. While stiH cIinglng to the
throttle the engine overturned and
Muphys left leg was caught IN the
brakes as he tried 20 make a leap from
the car. Then came the boiling water
Murphy was literally boiled by the
steam. Fifteen minutes later he was
found with his face downward crying
pitzousiy for help.
He was first found by the flremen
who responded TO an alarm turned in
by a passeTby at the time, and with
the aid OF the Pennsylvania railroad 8
WTecking crew. was taken out after
having lain under the stream of not
water for one hour and Gve minutes
The skin all over Murphy's body had
peeled on and he was hardly recOgniz-
able On the way 20 the hospital Muir
ply asked 10 see q priest OF his church
before he died He also wanted 10 see
his wife and four little children, all of
whom he kissed gOOd-by just an hour
before the accident.
Reynolds. the fireman. saws Today he
did not jump. as has been reported, but
remained on the engine until IL tOppled
over He, being on the uppermost side,
escaped injury. Reynolds lived at S04
Duke street, Alexandria.
Engine Partially Demolished.
The engine which carried Murphy 10
death was partially demolished by the
derailment It was thrown on the left
side OF the track. and the boiler was
mashed IN. causing the steam 10 come
rushing out The baggage car just be-
hind the engine left the tracks. but was
not damaged
The Southern railway officials, when
questioned this morning as the cause
OF the accident, were at a loss TO under
stand why such an accident should
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