Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-08-09
Seleete0 StorKs.
WRONG SIDE OF THE CURVE.
AN Ex. ENGINEERS STORY

Among the many incidents that during
the late rebellion were connected with that
great national artery, the Baltimore and
Ohio railway, is the one l will relate.
In the fall of 1861, having been detained
by business in tie town of Cumberland, 1
was at last about to start for Wheeling,
when learned by a dispatch that the road
was occupied below Harper's Ferry by a
force of rebels, and therefore no train could
pass.
This proved to be true in reference to
ordinary trains, but 'special" with which
was the Hon. Mr.. Pierpout, and few other
notabilities, had passed before the rebels
cut the track, and was therefore approach
ing. On inquiry, I found the engineer of
the coming train had been one of my own
chums ere I had discarded engine driving
for more profitable business. My friend
Joe NJ cool, bold, skilful en-
gineer, and as generous as reckless of dan
ger.
As I expected, I no sooner saw him and
stated my wish to 90 up the road, than he
suore that special or DO special, should
ride with him, if for nothing but to see the
fast time his engine "Wild6re" could
make.
As we dashed rapidly along and went
through Black Oak Bottom, a couple of i'll
looking fellows in citizens dress fired at the
engineer but doing no damage, merely
provoked laugh of derision from him for
the want of craftsmanship. On arriving at
Oakland Nd, we we're agreesbly surprised
by receiving telegram informing us par
ty of rebels were making great haste to
reach the railway at point many miles a.
head of US. Also, they seemed to know
who the special contained, and would
therefore use all endeavors to capture or
kill us.
There was but one car behind the engine
and in it was briefly discussed the question
to 90 or stay, while Joe was having the
tender reilled with wood and water.
Mr.. Pierpont's business was too urgent to
admit of any possible delay; two or three
others concluded to risk the trip, and L
we'll, if it's not too egotistical to say SOL
had run risks on railways too often to back
out because there was danger ahead, while
the rest concluded to stay and trust to luck
for the opportunity of getting.awsy.
Just as we were about 10 start, the fire.
man, making misstep on the drumming
board" fell to the ground with such force
as to break his arm. Joe hurriedly picked
MP the poor fellow, but time was precious
Just then, so leaving him in care of the
gentlemen who had accompanied us, be
started directly toward me, asking me to
come and "run" for him, as having no
fireman, he would have more than he could
do. I told him, however, to consider me
his fireman for the rest of the trip, as be
was best acquainted with the road, so with
sout any more ado l dofed my coat. We
aumped on and away We went, past hamets,
through wildernesses of stunted bushes, up
grade and down hill, at speed rarely e.
auslled. Our light train made firing an
easy task for me, aud bad frequent leisure
to scan the beautiful ranges of the Alleghan-
les along which We skirted. Joe was sitting
% usual with him, with his left hand on the
throttle.lever, and his body half out the side
window of the 'csb that he might better
scan the track ahead"
A few miles south of the famous Cheat
river bridge is a deep gorge, with precipi-
tous rocky sides.
1t is shaped like an hour glass, wide at
each end, but tapering each way toward the
middle. The track runs for quite dis
tanoe along one side Of the gorge, makes
very abrupt turn across the chasm, very
deep one, in a straight line nearly parallel
with the track Oh the opposite side for three
fourths of mile.
We were pitching along with that pecu-
liar, rocking, bounding motion, so different
from the jar of ordinary fast speed AS
we swept to the grade around the side OF
hill that commanded view of the gorge
Joe snd both on the lookout-we saw
at q moments glance, enough to make
Us concentrate our thinking faculties, and
act in q hurry whatever was best to be
done.