Sacramento County
Biographies
AMOS LUTHER BOWSHER
The courage that had aided him in early
life to face without dismay or tremor the defense ranks of gallant southern
soldiers on more than sixty battlefields enabled him in more mature years to
fill the difficult position of engineer and to meet its dangers, seen and
unseen, with trained intelligence and quick decision. But in all the
vicissitudes of his adventurous career perhaps at no time was he in greater
danger of instant death than on the occasion of his trip, November 1, 1903, as
engineer on the first section of train No. 16, known as the Oregon
express. At the Tehama bridge on the Sacramento river
there was a high trestle approach, the view of which was cut off by reason of
dense timber, so that until a sharp curve was made close to the trestle it was
completely hidden from view. Early in the morning of the ill-fated day
the train was making its usual run at the customary speed, and the trestle was
shown to be on fire as it came into the vision of the startled engineer.
With the quickness of a trained mind he made an emergency application of the
brakes, reversed his engine and sanded the rail. The engine left the rail
at the burning portion of the trestle and safely crossed and stood upright just
beyond, carrying the engineer to life and safety. The tender and two cars
went down, and the fireman, caught under the tender, was killed. The cars
caught fire from the burning trestle. The pitch gas tanks exploded, thus
adding to the fierceness of the conflagration. Three of the cars, a mail,
baggage car and empty coach, were burned before the second section could pull
the rear portion, consisting of sleepers, back to a place of safety. The
wreck and scene presented to all who viewed it the most convincing evidence that
anything but an unusually good stop been made a larger portion of the train, if
not all of it, would have shared the fate of the three head cars and many of
the sleeping passengers would have shared the fate of the unfortunate
fireman.
This veteran of the Civil War and skilled
engineer, who now in his retirement from active labors receives a pension from
the United States government and from the Southern Pacific Railroad Company,
was born at Adelphi, Ross county, Ohio, February 4,
1841, and received a common school education. Immediately after the
opening of the Civil war he enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, with the First United
States cavalry, and served during the entire period of the struggle, meanwhile
taking a brave part in more than sixty battles. When peace had been
declared he was honorably discharged, and on the 10th of September, 1865, he
was mustered out of the service. At once he came via Panama to California
and established his headquarters in Sacramento. From that time until 1883
he was engaged in telegraph construction work for the Central Pacific Railroad
Company, being foreman of a gang for much of the time and superintending the
construction of lines all along the coast. During 1883 he became a
fireman, and in 1884 was promoted to be engineer, which position he held on the
Southern Pacific railroad until March of 1911, when he was honorably retired on
account of advancing years. For many years he has been associated with
the Locomotive Engineers, and his interest in the order did not cease with his
retirement from active work. Fraternally he holds membership with the
Concord Lodge, F. & A. M., in Sacramento. During 1872 he married Miss
Della Cassidy, and of their union four children were
born. The sons, Joseph and Robert, are engineers with the Southern
Pacific company, the former being on the Coast
division. The older daughter, Mary, is the wife of Charles Johnson, and
lives in Sacramento. The youngest member of the family circle, Laura,
resides with her parents at No. 1615 Seventh street, Sacramento, and shares
with them the good will and esteem of associates.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 774-776. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.