The history of the first locomotives in America. From original ...

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HISTOKT OF THE FIBST LOCOMOTIVES IN AMEEICA.
"Satuedat Mokning, June 18, 1831.
"The locomotive 'Best Friend' started yesterday morning to
meet the lumber-cai^ at the Forks of the Road, and, while turning
on the revolving platform, the steam was suffered to accumnlate
by the negligence of the fireman, a negro, who, pressing on the
safety-valve, prevented the surplus steam from escaping, by which
means the boiler burst at the bottom, was forced inward, and injured
Mr. Darrell, the engineer, and two negroes. The one had
his thigh broken, and the other received a severe cut in the face
and a slight one in the flesh part of the breast. Mr. Darrell was
scalded from the shoulder-blade down his back. The boiler was
thrown to the distance of twenty-five feet. None of the persons
are dangerously injured except the negro, who had his thigh,
broken. The accident occurred in consequence of the negro holding
down the safety-valve while Mr. Darrell, the engineer, was
assisting to arrange the lumber-cars, and thereby not permitting
the necessary escape of steam above the pressure the engine was
allowed to carry."
The wreck of tlie " Best Friend " was sent to tlie
sliops of Mr. Dotterer. for repairs and such alterations
as were found upon experiment to be necessary.
Railroad men of the present day will no doubt ask,
" Why was the engineer, Mr. Darrell, not at Ms post
upon the engine, and why was he attending to the arrangement
of the lumber-cars, leaving his engine in
charge of his negro fireman ? " To these questions we
will reply by stating that, at that early day in railroad
affairs, no such officers of a train as conductors, flagmen,
or brakemen, had been instituted. The engineers of
locomotives, like the drivers of the old-fashioned stage-
coaches in by-gone days, and of the horse-cars used
upon railroads, had to do their own hitching up, etc.
Hence the reason why Mr. Darrell was not on the en-
gine during the arrangement of the train. At that time
every thing had to be learned as the necessity demanded
it. Previous to the explosion of the " Best Friend," an
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