| From the Wilmington Journal |
| April 21, 1864 |
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| For the Journal |
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| A Suggestion to Rail Road Officers |
| The frequent occurrence of
accidents on Rail Road by the breakage of wheels, admonishes more
precaution. A wheel may be cracked or otherwise damaged and started off
on a trip, loaded with valuable lives, and from a flaw give way on the
road and throw the train off the track and cause the death of some of
the passengers. Such has been the case twice recently on the W. & M. R.
R. {Wilmington & Manchester RR}, and at
least the last case was an old crack in the wheel, which caused it to
break near this place, killing a soldier instantly. I have been informed
by a gentleman, that in Europe that they have a man to go round and
strike each wheel with a hammer before the trains move out of town, and
it is told by a peculiar ringing sound of the wheel, whether it is in
good condition or not. I would respectfully suggest the same plan to
Rail Road officers in this country. |
| J. E. B. |
| Timmonsville, S. C., April 13th, 1864 |
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