Erie Railroad Biography - Richard Forrestel


CHARLES FRACK. Youngstown, Ohio.
Charles Frack was born in Pottsville, Pa., on April 13, 1851, and attended school until he was 17 years of age, when he went to work as stationary engineer. He followed this employment for six years, and then went to Denver, Colo., to work, but remaining there only three months. He returned east and secured a position as engineer for the Niles Coal Company, with whom he remained three years. In April, 1878, he entered the service of the Erie as fireman, being promoted to engineer in May, 1888, and has since run in the freight service. Mr. Frack is a member of the B. of L. E. and the Masons. He is considered a fine engineer and is highly regarded by all.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.




From the January 3, 1901 issue of the Akron Daily Democrat:
Crashed into Farmer's Wagon, With Fatal Results
Well Known Erie Engineer Crushed Under Locomotive


A heavy coal train on the Niles and Lisbon Branch of the Erie Railroad was wrecked last evening at 5 o'clock. As a result of the accident the engineer was killed and two other employees seriously injured.

While the train was descending the steep Canfield hill near the Mahoning County Infirmary, a farmer attempted to cross in front of it with a huge sawlog on a wagon. The train crashed into the log and it derailed the engine and six cars, which plunged down a steep embankment.

Charles Frack, the engineer, was instantly killed and Garfield Powers, head brakeman, and William Klein, the fireman, were seriously injured. The wreck was one of the worst in the history of the road. Frack was unmarried and one of the best known engineers on the Erie Railroad. It is thought that the two injured men will recover.

The engineer's body was recovered at 9 o'clock under the boiler of the engine. His head was mashed to a pulp. Fireman Klein was badly scalded. The farmer escaped death by jumping.





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