South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-10-21
WAS ENGINEER DEAD
WHEN WRECK CAME

That Engineer Tom Jefferson. who
was blamed by cOrOner's verdict for
the recent wreck on the c. I. & S.
railroad at Ginger hill in which he
and two trainmen lost their lives. may
have dropped dead from heart failure
before the collision is the opinion of
many engineers who were close
friends Of the dead man and are loud
in their praise of his splendid raid
road record covering many years.
JeTerson's last spoken words,
Here's where we are delayed for 95"
is to them conclusive evidence that
he had his orders and planned to obey
them when death struck him down in
his cab with his fireman ignorant that
a dead hand held the throttle.
The contention is expressed in the
following communication written by
a fellow engineer to express the SEN
timents Of the railroad men who knew
him best.
What the direct cause of the Gin
ger hill wreck seven miles west Of
South Bend on the G., l. x S. r. r.
on oct. 10. will never be known. In
honor to Engineer Tom jefferson,
who was looked up to by both Off
Gals and employees as standard 10
gauge an ideal engineer this state
ment is made.
Mr.. Jefferson and his two brakemen
lost their lives in this wreck. The
fireman. the only one left TO tell OF
his awful experience. made several
conflicting statements which are not
to be wondered at considering those
dreadful moments he passed through.
He stated that Engineer jefferson had
shut off the throttle with the remark.
Here is where we get delayed by
No. 95," No. 95 being the west bound
train he had orders to meet at Ginger
hill, and that after shutting the throt-
tie and apparently going to use his
air to stop on the main line TO allow
No. 80 to take the siding, his life
went out and he was a dead man be-
fore the collision.
Similar Case on l.. T.. X W.
This statement may sound strange,
but a similar occurrence on an l. L.
4 W. passenger train at Laporte a
few weeks ago when the fireman no
post.
Both these men were apparently in
the best Of health and had worked
every day for % or 80 years.
Mr.. jefferson made a request to in
crease his life insurance sometime
ago. but was rejected on account or
heart trouble, and Mr.. Flaherty pass
ed through a similar experience and
was EeJtCltQ lOI Ills VI dAtt ~ NAtN
brotherhood of Engineers. of which
ne was a member for years.
The officials and the many friends
OF Mr.. Jefferson are at loss TO ex-
plain what happened. 1t was not
carelessness, for he was one engineer
that would not steal time nor take
chance and in all his years OF rail-
reading was always on the safe side.
He never was disciplined nor repri-
manded. but at all times looked upon
as 100 per cent perfect.
Officials Praised Him.
one Of our high officials expressed
himself to an engineer a few years
ago when a train passed with Engi-
neer Jefferson at the throttle. that he
was always pleased when he saw JEFF
ferson on one Of those fast meat
trains as ii would sure be landed on
time without any trouble.
Mr.. LETTERS, had been on these
fast runs for years anC knew every
foot of the road and on this fatal
trip was at his best and not over
worked. being FIVE hours and . min
utes on duty.
on the evening OF oct the writer
had his last talk with Mr.. Jefferson.
We spoke of this safety first" move
ment. which the company has taken
great deal OF time and expense 10
make an issue for the employees and
the public
Mr.. jefferson was noted for his
carefulness and I complimented him,
saving. Tom. l like your work be
cause YOU set a splendid example and
YOU don't take any chances
Yes, and / won't take any chances
either and wish every engineer would