Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-12-28
An Engineers Dash.

which has Just come to our notice, as described
in the Gold Hill (Nev.) News. 1t relates to
the passage of u train of cars through burn
ing tunpel, and depicts rough, daring and
heroic deed on the part of johnny Bartholo-
NEW, as the engineer is familiarly called This
passage of train trom Reno through the
burning tunnel. the other side of the Ameri-
can Fiat, will have to stand recorded as one of
the most brilliant as we'll as fortunate dashes
ever made under such circumstances. Johnny
Bartholomew, one of the best engineers that
ever mounted a locomotive says the local Jour
nal, had on this particular occasion happened
20 change off with Charley Mccormick, the re-
sular engineer of the Reno therefore lie was
the hero of the OCCASION There was no trusty
watchman or anybody else 20 give warning of
the impending danger, aud the train was
around the curve and into the tunnel before
the fire which was raging there could be seen.
The tunne! is six hundred and fifty feet in
length, and the fire being in the opposite end,
there was little time for thinking or in which
10 weigh chances, and certainly not enough
Tor stopping. The deep red, roaring flames,
and dense, black smoke were ahead, and
It looked like attempting a mad rush
through Tcphet, but there was no 9th r
way for it. The lives of the passengers
ard all hands were in the care Of John
ny Bartholomew, and nobody knew it
better than he. His first impulse was to
reverse the eugiue and whistle down brakes,
but his quick conclusion was that that wouldn't
do, as he would be liable to tectch up in the
very midst of the raging hames so with reso-
lutte jerk OF tie lever he threw her wide open
The Reno gave an angry snort and rushed
madiy forward like freed racer, with whlri
wind speed, right through the fiery mass.
Johuny held fast to the lever, closed one eye,
held his breath, and tried to think of some
praycr for he knew that the chances of life and
death were about equal just then. He imagin
ed he could feel the hot rails bending like lead
under the wheels, and both felt and heard the
blazing tmhers ard other fallen distractions on
the track being dashed aside by the trusty
cow-catcher. The women passengers, scream
cd and even the stoutest- hearted men quivered
with sudden fear as they dashed through the
fierce, hot light, but in another Instant the
gauntlet was passed and they safely slowed
down in the cool, gray morning daylight be-
yond
Dirt stones and blazing bits of timber 90
the COW catcher and the shower of burning
Goals covering the train, showed how dangerous
were the obstructious so safely passed, yet they
had rushed through so quickly that the pant
on the passenger coaches was not even scorch-
ed. johnny cannot rush an engine through
that tunnel TO- day, for every timber through
shot gun, and huge cavings OF earth aud rock
render it iu;passable for many days to come
G}oJe.
Loss OF LlFE.-Mention was made in the
telegraph dispatches of the drowning OF Mrs. Z.
I. Adams. by the carriage horses running away
and into East river at Brooklyn, on Monday,
When the horses ran with the carriage awhe
caught in the track of street railway, and the
RI ha
and badly bruised. The horses Immediately
took fright and ran down Washington street at
full speed A policeman near at hand heard
the voice, saw the carriage, and, sounding an
alarm, started in pursuit The horses kept on,
and as the carriage disappeared in the dark
ness. woman's voice shouted from one Of its
windows, Help. help For Gods sake save
me-" 1t was useless and in another minute the
foot Of the street was reached, and horses, car
riage occupant and all plunged into the water,
crushing through the ice. The vehicle caught
on the wharf, and was turned completely over
in the fall 1t fell on the neck of one OF the
horses. and killed it Instantly. The other strug
glcd for few moments, but soon strangled.
Nothing more was heard from the occupant of
the carriage, which sunk Immediately. Help
arrived soon, and by the aid of ropes 1t was
raised to the surface. The dripping form OF a
middle aged woman, dressed in black silk, with
several diamonds and something over S2oO 10
currency on her person, was taken from 1t. lhe
body was identified as that of Mrs. G. +. Adams,
who lived in New York.
THE EXTREME PRICE OF FooD in England
is naturally calling public attention to the great
extent of unproductivc land in the kingdom.
Conventions of laboring people ask that the
parks and game preserves be devoted to tlllage
and feed for men instead Of merely attordlng
sport to the wealthy class Difficulties OF aenat-
ing land, its gradual absorption from small into
large estates, and especially the Vestlng OF
titles by mortmai1 In religious and other cor
poutions, which do not make it productive to
its fullest capacity are the grounds OF very
general demand for legal reform. strong at
tack bv the London Times upon the endoW-
mcnt of churches, Schools hospitals and other
corporations with land, urging that these trusts
should be converted into money, has cailea =
forth spirited rcjoinder from the defenders OF
tho old system. 1t is probable that this sub
icct will be fully discussed during the coming
session of Parliament, the Ministry being con-
si}ered as pledged to propose measure OF re-
form which will facilitate the purchase ana
sale of real estate, and perhaps restrict the
tving up of land in endowments. s.-Ne'0 lofH
Unuld
BROWNSBURG is only nlteen tniles .ion IL
ing,ou and is situated in the heart OF the var
lcy-the wealthiest and most lntelileent Secllon
Of the county, yet there is 20 direct mall W.
mupicatiou between the two towns-betWeen
the couuty-seat and this important section OF
Rockbridge. 4 letter to reach BroWnSparg
from this place must go to Goshen, twenty-five
miles. then 10 Stauntou, thirty miles more ana
in another county. From Staunton 1t comes
back twenty miles to Brownsburg We learn
that the mail carrier on this route is negro,
who, by "a liberal construction of the law ~ 2
his own behalf deprives whole community ~: OF
mail connection with the county seat: lhis
fellow is drawing pay regularly for carrying to the
! mail from Cedar Grove to Brownsourg-lh,
direct route to Lexington-when. ne oogSn
ride a mile on that road. The mall rom ~ EeA
ID hNp