The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-10-07
e., From the New York Evening Post.
"A True Hero. A Son saorifi-
ced on the Altar of Duty. A
M Second Abraham.

| 1t has often been said that the world
does not know its greatest men, and GER
tainly the grandest acts of heroism are Of
ten performed by men in the humblest
station. w hat are the grandest acts of
leroism p Not such as are narrated by
the historian as illustrating the worlds
battle-felds, though leading forlorn
hope, or planting country's flag upon
the deadly rampant from which it has
been shot away, justly excite our admira-
ton. Deeds yet more heroic are done in
the fevered wards of hospitals, on the
ships deck upon the stormy sea, in the
mine far below the earths. surface, in
lonely. vigils on light boats, in many
places where no eye but that of Omnisci-
ence sees them. AnexAibition of noble
devotion to duty, under the most fearful
| trial to which human nature could be
subjected, is to be recorded of an obscure
servant of railroad near this city, The
deed demands the. highest and. warmest
| recognition. It needs no fine words to
embellish il. The simplest recital of the
fact suftices for placing the action before
the world as worthy of its 8 homage.
Albert G. iDreeker is the Waterman of
the Passaic river draw bridge on the
New York-& Newark Eai1road, whose
business it is to see that the draw is clo-
sed upon the approach OF trains. On
Friday afternoon last, just before a pas
senger train was to pass the bridge, the
draw was open and Mr.. Drecker began to
close it, The train was not yet in sight
at this moment, but the Waterman knew
it, was coming, that no time should be lost
in putting the bridge in its proper posi-
ton, While engaged in closing the draw
little son of Mr.. Drecker, ten years old,
fell from the bridge into deep water be-
low. To save the child's life would be On
easy matter, but Mr.. Drecker now saw
the train laundering along the track and
knew that the rescue of his boy would in
voIve the destruction of the train. What
was he to do.9 We may we'll suppose i
was moment of extreme agony. His
child was drowning before his eyes, and
sitslife could only be purchased at the
loss many other people that were in his
hands, GOD mercifully spare US from the
bitter anguish ofssuch q trial as was for
cedl upon Drecker He stood by his duty,
the bridge was closed, and the train pas
sed safely over it, but the boy was drown
ed.ALittle did any passenger in that
train dream what a fearful struggle be-
tween sense of duty and the natural
pronptings of the human heart the safe
passage of the bridge had been secured
Such isthe story of Albert G.. Dreckef
Historians and poets have told us
How well Horatius kept the bridge
In the Brave day qf DID, ~@t
but the Jersey railroad servant kept the
bridge at costl;er sacrifice than the
Roman captain. And what remains:
Drecker is "a poor man; his position IN
lite is an humble one, and, while his loss
is irreparabIe, his noble conduct may be
rewarded The railway company owes
him heavy debt; the passengers ON that
Friday afternoon train should deem it q
privilege to contribute to raise monu-
ment to the child, to ftly commemorate
the deed, and the press throughout the
land should let his name be known every
where. - - -. -.