N&W in 1909--Injury

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Bluefield Daily Telegraph
May 12, 1909

ENGINEER OYLER MEETS WITH SERIOUS ACCIDENT
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Right Leg Broken in Two Places, Left Arm and Several Ribs Fractured and Bruised About Head

    Marshall N. Oyler, engineer on the extra passenger train on the Dry Fork Branch, while standing on the running board of his engine oiling the lead valve, with the engine going at its usual speed, in some manner lost his footing and fell between the cylinder and the pilot, breaking his right leg in two places, just above the knee and at the ankle, and also breaking his left arm, as well as fracturing several of his ribs and dislocating his shoulder.  He was bruised and cut about the head in such a manner that it was almost miracle that he escaped death.  The accident, which happened at Wilmore, was not discovered until the train had gone several miles and the injured man was then hurried to Welch, where his wounds were partially dressed.  He was brought here on No. 16 last night, accompanied part of the way by Dr. Hatfield, and taken to a local hospital.  The injured man is a brother of Mrs. W. H. Pennington, of this city, and has always made Bluefield his home.  It was the opinion of the physicians that his injuries would not prove fatal unless unforeseen complications should arise.
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[This is another example how injured people were transported to hospitals using regular passenger trains in the absence of ambulances in those days.  I wonder if there were any safety rules in 1909 against oiling machinery from the running board while running at usual speed?  Who was running the engine?  The fireman?  Apparently Oyler was oiling on the left side where he could not be seen by the fireman at the controls on the right side.]

Gordon Hamilton
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