St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-04-11
NUMBER Is.

OF 1891 was very cold in that part Of
the State, and the snow was nearly
three feet deep upon the mountains.
On the night Of the 2Gth of December
OF that year it turned round warm and
the rain fell in torrents. \ terrible
storm swept the mountain tops and
almost filled the valley with water.
pom that night my train was wind
ing its way at its usual speed around
the hills and through the valleys, and
as the road bed was all solid rock, |
had no fear Of the banks giving out.
The night was intensely dalk, and the
wind moancd pitcousIy through the
deep G0rgcS Of the mountains. Some
of the passengers were trying to
sleep, others were talking in low
voice to relieve the monotony of the
scene. Mothers had their children
upon their knees, as if to shield them
from some unknown danger without.
1t was near midnight, when sharp
whistle from the engine brought me
t. my feet. | knew there was danger
10y that whistle, and sprang to the
brakes at once, but the brakcsmcu
were all at their posts and soon
brought the train to u stop. seized
my lantern and found my way for
ward as soon as possible, when
what a sight met my gaze \ bright
fire Of pine logs Illuminated the track
for some distance, and not forty rods
ahead of our train horrible gulf had
opened its nav 10 receive US.
The SNOW, together with the rain
had torn the whole side Of the noun
tain out, and eternity seemed spread
out before us. The widow Graft and
her children had found it out, and had
brought light brush from their house,
and built large fires to warn us Of our
danger. They had been there more
than two hours watching that bcacon
OF safety. AS | went up where the
old lady aud her children stood,
:Ircnched through by the rain and
sIcct, she graspcd my hand and cried:
"Thamk God Mr.. Shcrbourn, we
stopped You in time. | would havo
lost my life before one hair Of your
head SHOULD have been hurt. Oh,
prayed to heaven that we might stop
| the train and my God, | thank thee :. "
The children were crying for joy.
| confess | don't very often pray, but
| did then and there. | kncclcd down
by the side Of that good woman, and
| offered mp thanks to the All-St isc Be-
/ ing for our safe dclivcrancc from u
most horrible death, and called down
. blessings without number upon that
good Old woman and her children.
Near by stood engineer, fireman and
brakesmcn, the tears streaming down
their hronIcd cheeks.
immediately prevailed upon Mrs.
Graft and the children to go back into
| the cars out of the storm and cold.
After reaching the cars | related our
halr-breadth escape, and to whom VIC
were indebted for our lives, and beg
gcd the men passengers to go forward
aud see for themselves. They needed
no further urging, and great many
ladies went also, regardless Of tho
storm. They soon returned and their
pale faces gave full evidence of the
IrightIul death we had escaped. Tho
ladies and gentlemen We'd each other
in their thanks and heartfelt gratitude
towards Mrs. Graft and her children,
and assured her that they would new
cr forget her, and before the widow
left the train she was presented with
u purse of Sl6O, the voluntary offer
iuS of 4 whole train of grateful pas
scnGcrs. She refused the proflcred
gift for some time, and said she had
only done her duty, and the knowledge
of having done so was all sue asked.
However she finally accepted the
money, and said it should go to cdu-
cate her children.
The railroad company built her q
new house, gave her and her children
a life pass over the road, and ordered
ali trains to stop and let her off at
home when she wished But the en-
Iployccs needed no such orders, they
can appreciate all such kindness
more SO than directors themselves.
The old lady frequently visits my
r home at IL, and she is at all times
q welcome visitor at my tircsidc. Two
Of the children arc attending school
at the same place.
50 You may sec that very little
kindness cost me nothing and saved
my life.