Re: A bad day in Black Hawk or how I lost my head!

Posted by Mike Trent on
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/A-bad-day-in-Black-Hawk-or-how-I-lost-my-head-tp1045p1049.html

Doug, this is amazing. Thanks.

Looks like it was really early on the C&S, as I make out the date "Sept 26, 1898". "Engine No.72 (Old No.10)". The drawing was done in April 1899 by the "Chief Engineer's Office", so it probably was done by the railroad to document the clearance issue of a non railroad obstruction on the ROW, resulting in either serious injury or death of an employee.

The drawing seems to show that the fireman was not just sticking his head out the window, he was actually way out the window. This could give rise to the arguement that the railroad was not at fault in the accident, which is probably why the drawings were made.

From the photos Chris posted, it appears that there were no changes made to "correct" the issue. Another of countless examples of how hard and dangerous life was in those days. Doubtful there was any settlement to either the injured employee or to his family.