Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 August 1901 — IN FEAR OF NEW ENGINES. [ARTICLE]

IN FEAR OF NEW ENGINES.

Employes of Northwestern Regard Class “B" Machines Dangerous. Railroad men are in deadly fear of the new class “R” engines recently put into service on the Galena division of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad. Two explosions from the bursting of the arch flue, a new idea in engines, have occurred within two days. At Sycamore Fireman Hiram Smith of Belvidere met his dea<.h from an explosion of this flue. He was pinioned in the cab by the explosive force and literally cooked by live coals and hissing steam. The engineer was blown from the engine and escaped with slight injuries. Smith’s oride of four weeks was furnished a special train from Belvidere by the company and reached her husband betore he died. The shock was so great that she is completely prostrated and may not recover. The other explosion from the same cause occurred at Troy Grove. Both of the enginemen wqre hurled from the cab and seriously hurt. Firemen Crowder of Belvidere was badly scalded.