We clip from a recent issue of the American the following beautiful and touching tribute to the heroism of a man who was born and raised in this county and whose aged father is now one of our most respected citizens.
On Monday night, the 25th of January, as the south-bound passenger train of the Illinois Central Railroad was dashing along through the rain and darkness, some miscreant ahead – “a very demon in human form” – removed a rail from the track on the bridge at Tallahatchie River in Mississippi. The engineer made the discovery too late to save the train, and though he might have saved his own life by jumping, he stood to his post of duty. In another moment the engine and tender and every car following, excepting the two sleepers, jumped the bridge and went dashing headlong into the river, a frightful mass of wreck and ruin. Miraculous to tell, though many train hands and passengers were badly battered and bruised, only one life was lost, that of the brave engineer, William RUFFIN, of Water Valley, Miss. He was pinioned fast between the engine and tender, his entire body, excepting his head, being submerged in mud and water. He was removed with great difficulty after five hours, and was found to be in a dying condition. His first inquiry on being taken out was: “Are the crew and passengers safe?” When answered “Yes,” he replied: “Thank God! that’s clever.” and shortly thereafter breathed his last.
The first tidings received from the wreck were much magnified; but when the facts were made known people breathed easier, and the general remark was: “It’s not so bad after all, only an engineer killed.”
Though not so intended, could words be colder and more unfeeling? “Only an engineer killed!” Could a man be entrusted with a holier, more responsible duty than the custody, the care and safety of human lives?
When William RUFFIN died in the fulfillment of this sacred trust the only thing about him that was not an angel was his overalls, besotted though he was. Only an engineer!
The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 26 Feb. 1886, Page 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
