The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-07-20


Century not, sir replied the captain,
turning away to hide the laughter with
which he was bursting.
There was heavy laugh at Jones' Ex-
change when S. related how he had sold
old, the wealthy steamboat owner.
A Thrilling incident IN the Life Of q
Locomotive Engineer.
In returning from Philadelphia about
the middle of August, 1858, the cars
were very crowded, and my companion
in the same seat with me 1 found out to
be locomotive engineer, and in the
course of our conversation, he made the
remark that he hoped he had run his last
trip upon locomotive.
Upon making bold to ask the reason,
he gave me the following story. and since
then 1 have found it out to be strictly
true
Five years since I was running upon
the N. Y. R. R. My run was from B.
ITO r.. 1t was the Light
ming Express Train, and it was what its
name denotes. for it was fast-a very
fast run, and if do say it, the old Tor
nado could 60. l have seen her throw
her six foot driver so as to be almost in
visible to the eye. And let me here re-
mark, it is supposed by many that rail-
road engineers are hard hearted set of
men; their lives are hard, tits true, but l
do claim to have as fue feelings. and
heart that sympathizes with the unfortu-
nate, as any man that breathes. But to
my story.
about half mile from the village of
B--there is nice little cottage but
few feet from the track. By that time
young married couple lived there
They had one child, little boy about
four years old, a bright, black eyed, curly
headed little chap as you ever saw. l
had taken great deal of interest in the
little fellow, aud had thrown candy and
oranges to him from the train. aud I was
sure to see him peeping through the
fence when my train passed.
'One fine sunny afternoon we were be.
hind time and running fast, nor did not
stop at g., and l was to make up one
hour before reaching R. We came
up at tremendous speed, and when
sweeping around the curve, my eye fol-
lowing the track, not over two hundred
feet ahead sat the little fellow playing
with kitten, which he held in his lap
At the sound of our approach he looked
up laughed, clapping his hands in high
glee at the affrighted kitten as it ran rom
the track. Quicker than the lightning
that blasts the tall pine upon the noun.
tain top, whistled down brakes and
reversed my engine, but knew it was I'm.
possible to stop. Nobly did the old engine
try to save. The awful straining and
writhing of its iron drives told but toe
plainly of the terrific velocity we had at.
tanned. I was out of the car window
and down on the cow catcher in fash
The little fellow stood still. I motioned
him off and shouted; his little black eyes
opened wide with astonishment, and 6
merry laugh was upon his lips. 1 held
my breath as we rushed upon him; made
desperate attempt to catch him, but
missed, and as his little body passed ]
heard the feeble cry of mother and thu
forward trucks crushed his body to atoms
20, God, that moment ] may live
sir, to be an old man, but the agony o
that moment can never be effaced from
my memory. The cars stopped some rodl
> from the spot, and ran back as soon q.
possible. His mother saw the train stoK
= and fearful foreboding flashed upon hel
> at once. She came rushing frantically t.
the spot where we stood. Never shall
forget the look she gave me as she be-
> held her frst-born shapeless mass.
would have given my whole existence tt
have avoided that moment Ihave seel
. death in all its forms upon railroads.
:. have seen men, women and children man
- gled and killed. have seen all this
but that little innocent boy as he locke,
up in my face, and was killed almost il
my arms, it unnerved me, and from tina
y day / have made solemn VOW never t
run locomotive more. err
That young mother is now in the Utic
/, luudbiC L AOAI tuC uOuI uC
boy was killed reason had left her throne
= = He stopped and wiped the tears from hi
- eyes, and said, You may think it wea
of me to shed tears, but cannot help it
: Mo- replied, but think it noble, an
sir, would to God every man had hear
as large as your have often though
q since how few are those who give on
II passing thought to the man of stron
nerve aud a stout arm, who guides ther
through darkness anc storms, with th
N speed of the wind, safely to their jour
le ney's end. They do not, for momen
turn their attention to the iron monste
that is dragging them forward, with feal
!; full velocity, to meet friends or relations
They do not realize that the man wh
i" guides the fiery monster holds all the
:, precious lives at his command, and thu
~ ~ the least negligence upon his part woul
y lcause sorrow and mourning in thousau
- :, homes that are now waiting the retur
- of the absent loved ones. Cleveland e