#6430 • Brass Railroad Tall Oil Can - Sam Hinton - Murdered Southern Railway Engineer

Part of October 2024 Railroadiana - Day 2 (live auction by Rail & Road Auctions)

High bid $150.00

Status: Sold

An brass railroad oil can with an intriguing history! This brass tall oiler is engraved with D.S. Hinton in a cursive script with a banner etched around the outside of the name.This collection came to us from the Winston-Salem, North Carolina area and based on research done by the consignor we believe that this can is referencing or may have belonged to engineer Sam Hinton of Ashville, North Carolina. Hinton was murdered in late 1921 by his Conductor R.E. Crawford after he struck Hinton in the head with a Catsup bottle at a railroad YMCA after their train arrived in Salisbury. Crawford pled guilty to Manslaughter in February 1922.We are unsure if this oil can belonged to Hinton directly or was a memorial created to the fallen Engineer. Regardless, this is a fascinating conversation piece that will make for interesting discussion as part of your collection.The can measures 29 1/2" tall and has some minor denting and tarnish spots. No makers marks. See photos for best description.