Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1869-10-09
A Heroic Act,

The New York Eeening Post CT Mon
day, September 81, contains the follow
ing record Of an heroic act
1t has been said that the world does
not know its greatest men, and certainly
the grandcst acts OF heroism are often
performed by men in the humblest sta
ton. What are the grandest acts of
heroiam? Not such as are narrated by
the historian as illustrating the worlds
battle-ields, though leading n forlorn
hope, or planting the country's flag upon
! the deadly rampant from which it has been
shot away, justly excite our admiration.
Deeds yet more heroic are done in the
fevercd wards of hospitals, on the ships
deck, upon the stormy sea, in the mine
far below the carth's surface, in lonely
vigils, on light-boats, in many places
where no eye but that OF the Omnisci-
cnce witnesses it.
An exhibition of noble devotion to
duty, under the most fearful trials to
which human nature could be subjected,
is TO be- recorded Of an obscure servant
of a railroad near this city. The deed
demands the warlnest and widest recog-
nition. The simplest recital of the facts
sufiices for placing the action before tho
world as worthy of its homage.
Albert &. Drockcr is the watchman Of
the Passaic River draw-bridge on the
New York and Newark Railroad, whose
business it is to see that the draw is
closed upon the approach of trains. On
Friday afternoon last, just before pas
senger train was t. pass the bridge, the
draw was open and Mr.. Drocker began
to close it. The train was not yet in
sight at this moment, but the Waterman
knew it was coming, and that no time
should he lost in putting the bridge in
its proper position. While engaged in
closing the draw a little son Of Mr..
Drocker. ten years old, fell from the
bridge into the deep water below. To
save the child's life would be an easy
matter, but Mr.. Drocker now saw the
train laundering along the track, and
knew that the rescue Of his boy would
involve the destruction of the train.
What was he to do?
We may well suppose it was a moment
of supreme agony. His child was drown.
ing before his eyes, and its life could only
be purchased at the loss of many other
lives that were in his hands. God mer-
citully spare us all from the bitter an
guish of such trial as was forced upon
Drcckerl He stood by bis duty-the
bridge was closed, and the train passed
safely over it, but the boy was drowned.
Little did any passenger in that train
dream of a what fearful struggle be-
tween a sense of duty and the natural
promptings of human heart and the
safe passage of the bridge had been
secured.
Such is the story of Albert G. Drocksr.
Historians and poets have told US
SLOW well Hoiatius kept the bridge
In the brave days Of DID,,
but tho Jersey Railroad servant ''kspt
the bridge" at a eostlier sacrifice than
the Roman Captain. And what remains?
Drocker is poor man; his position in
life is an humble one, and while his loss
is irreparable, his noble conduct may be
rewarded The railroad company owes
him heavy debt; the passengers on that
Friday afternoon train should deem it a
privilege to contribute TO raise a menu-
ment to the child 10 fitly commemorate
the deed, and the press throughout the
land should let his name be known every
where.