Grayson County TXGenWeb

Houston and Texas Central Railway
H. &T.C.

Ft. Worth Daily Gazette
Wednesday, September 7, 1887
pg.1

FATAL BOILER EXPLOSION
An Accident to the South Bound Accommodation Train on the Central
Special to the Gazette
Sherman, Texas, September 6 - A horrible accident occurred on the Houston and Texas Central Railroad this morning about 9 o'clock which was the explosion of the boiler on the south bound accommodation train. It resulted in the death of Charles Hinckston [sic],
the engineer, and E.L. Scales, the fireman, received injuries from which he is expected to die at any moment. The south bound accommodation train from Denison is due here at 7:45 a.m. and after switching off one or two cars left for the south with 8 cars and a number of passengers in the coaches. On reaching a point beyond Choctaw creek, about 6 miles from the city, the boiler exploded, pieces of it flying in different directions 40 or 50 yards away, and tearing the tender to pieces. A box car next to the tender was ditched, but no further damage was done, and the train stopped on the track. Engineer Hinkston [sic] fell only about 10 feet from the track.
He breathed only a few minutes after he was taken up, when it was discovered that he was dead. His remains were brought to this city this afternoon and sent to the undertaker for preparation for shipment to his home at Corsicana. Fireman Scales was thrown about
30 feet from the track on the opposite side from the engine. He was terribly scalded from his abdomen to the extremities and about the arms and shoulders. He talked a great deal, but was unconscious of what he said. He was brought to the city and carried to the Sherman Hotel. He is being treated by Dr. Thompson, though his case is almost a hopeless one, and he is expected to die at almost any moment. Neither of the unfortunate men have families, though they have relatives at Corsicana and claim that place as their home.

Another Account
Special to the Gazette
Van Alstyne, Texas, September 6 - The engine of the south-bound accommodation train exploded 3 miles north of Howe this morning at 8:15 o'clock, killing the engineer and severely burning and scalding the fireman, which the doctors say will cause his death.
The engine jumped into the air and carried 4 telegraph wires with it. A defective engine from age is supposed to be the cause of the explosion. Charley Hinkston [sic], engineer and Elgin Scales, fireman, were raised in Corsicana and came of highly respectable families. Hinckston was noted for being a careful engineer and the explosion was not caused by carelessness.

Well Known at Corsicana
Special to the Gazette
Corsicana, Texas, September 6 - The 2 young men who were blown up this morning on a railroad engine near Sherman, Messrs. C.S. Pinkston and L. Scales, the former killed instantly and the latter fatally injured, were both residents of our city. They were young men who were highly esteemed by the entire community, and their sad fate has cast a gloom over the spirits of our people.

Sherman Daily Gazetteer
Thursday, September 8, 1887
pg. 1

THE FIRE BOX
Ill-Fated Engine No. 34 Said To Have Been the Starting Point of the Choctaw Explosion

The inquest commenced day before yesterday was concluded this morning.
The following evidence was adduced before Justice Hinkle at the Texas Central freight depot in the inquest over the dead body of Charles Pinkston.
E.E. House being sworn, deposed and said: "I was on train No. 12 on the morning of September 6, 1887, 5 miles south of Sherman on the Houston & Texas central railway. I was conductor on the train at the time of the explosion. I suppose the train was running at the rate of speed say 10 or 12 miles per hour. I was in the baggage car at the time of the explosion, and as soon as I could get to the engine I went, and saw the bodies of the engineer and fireman laying on the ground. The engineer was at the rear end of the engine breathing, but speechless. I don't think he ever spoke. I picked him up and laid him on the bank with a quilt under his head, but he was moved
afterward to a more comfortable place. The name of the engineer is Charlie Pinkston, aged about 28 years, and was unmarried. The body was put in a caboose and brought back to Sherman in company with the fireman, M.E. Scales.

The Cause of The Accident
was the explosion of the fire box of the engine. The accident happened at 8:13 a.m. There was present with me, when the accident happened, Baggage Master Thomas Flynn, and Brakeman Hough. I do not know the cause of the explosion, but know that it was the cause of the death of Pinkston and the wounding of M.E. Scales, the fireman, whom I since learn is dead."
Thomas Flynn and C.T. Hough were put on the stand in the investigation and testified in substance as was testified to by R.K. Hough, t he conductor.
The following verdict was rendered by Acting Coroner Hinkle:

I, C.J. Hinkle, justice of the peace, find as follows:
That the said Charlie Pinkston came to his death in Grayson county, Texas on the 6th day of September A.D. 1887, at 8:15 in the morning in the following manner to wit:
On Engine No. -- from an explosion of the fire box on the said engine about 5 miles south of Sherman on the H. & T.C. Ry.
Witness my hand this 8th day of September, 1887.
C.J. Hinkle, J.P. precinct No. 1, Grayson County
The reporter questioned Justice Hinkle as to whether or not there would be any official investigation of the strength of the engine, and was informed that he did not have the power to go that far, but it would in all probability, be made.

BURIED
The funeral of Pinkston and Scales
One of the saddest funerals that ever took place in Corsicana was that of Charles Pinkston and E. Scales yesterday, the 2 young men who were killed by the explosion of the boiler near Sherman Tuesday. Young Scales was taken to his parents alive, but died yesterday morning at 5 o'clock. The funeral took place at the First Presbyterian Church last evening, the rites being performed by Rev. W.H. Faugn, of the Methodist Church, in the absence of Dr. Wherry, the pastor. The attendance was large and a great many could not be seated. The caskets containing the remains were placed on each side of the pulpit and the families of the 2 young men were seated near them. The service was indeed solemn and impressive. At the cemetery the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers officiated in the last solemn rights. Both have a large number of near relatives and numerous friends. The solemnity of the occasion may be appreciated from the fact that nearly all business houses were closed during the hour of the funeral service.

The Dallas Morning News
September 9, 1887

Evidence in the Inquest into the Death of Pinkston and Scales.
Sherman, Tex., September 8 - The following evidence was adduced before Justice Hinkle at the Texas Central freight depot in the inquest over the dead body of Charles Pinkston:
R.K. Hough, being sworn: "I was on train No. 12 on the morning of September 6, 1887, five miles below Sherman, on the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. I was a conductor on the train at the time of the explosion. I supposed the train was running at a rate of speed say ten or twelve miles per hour. I was in the baggage car at the time of the explosion, and as soon as I could get to the engine I went and saw the bodies of the engineer and fireman lying on the ground. The engineer was at the rear end of the engine, breathing, but speechless - I don't think he ever spoke. I picked him up and laid him on the bank with a quilt under his head, but he was moved afterward to a more comfortable place. The name of the engineer is Charlie Pinkston, aged about 28 years, and was unmarried. The body was put in a caboose and brought back to Sherman in company with the fireman, M.E. Scales.

THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT
was the explosion of the fire-box of the engine. The accident happened at 8:15 a.m. There were present with me when the accident happened Baggage master Thomas Fiynn and Brakeman Hough. I do not know the cause of the explosion, but know that it was the cause of the death of Pinkston and the wounding of N.E. Scales, the fireman, whom I since learned is dead."
Thomas Flynn and C.T. Hough were put on the stand in the investigation and testified in substance as was testified to by R.K. Hough, the conductor.
A verdict was rendered that the said Charlie Pinkston came to his death in Grayson County, Texas, September 6, at 8:15 in the morning, from an explosion of the firebox on the engine, about five miles south of Sherman, on the Houston and Texas Central Railway.
A News reporter questioned Justice Hinkle as to whether or not there would be an official investigation of the strength of the engine, and was informed that he did not have the power to go that far, but it would in all probability be done.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, September 11, 1887
pg.4

RAILROAD RUMBLINGS
Engineer Swan, of the Houston & Texas Central had his engine, No. 32, draped in mourning Friday, in respect to the memory of Engineer Pinkston and Fireman Scales who were killed in the explosion on the main line near Howe on Tuesday.

Possible Find-A-Grave memorial page for Charlie Pinkston