Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-01-18
A HORRIBLE STORY.
What an Engineer Did with Man who
Disarranged a Railroad Track.

As tile day Of Cluck's execution ap-
proaches, horrible and ghasty topics are
discussed in workshops, around the even
ing stove, In the corner grocery, and In
many places of public resort. Children
shudder, and cling closer to their mothers
knee, as the garrulous old visitor narratea
some story Of hanging, or the details OF
some dark crime that occurred when she
was girl. The solemn, the mysterious,
and the supersttious, which always sur
round hanging, seem to be In the air
aud, although the topic Is disgusting
one, 1t must be confessed-not TO the
credit of humanlty--that morbid appe-
tite In the public Graves and demands the
minutest detail of the horrible barbarlty.
One of the many recalled stories which
are borne upon the very wind, the follow
ing was told to Sentinel reporter a night
or two ago, and, TO add to the horrid sur
roundlngs of the story, he was In coffin
shop viewing the coffin which Is To con-
tain the last remains Of the murderer
Cluck.
The story may be a true one more
likely it Is false, but 1t Is given as 1t was
detailed, and It may be that some one still
living may remember the circumstance
and write the tale. Some years ago there
was a we'll known engineer, whose name
Is not given, for good and sufficient reasons,
ran passenger train on one OF the mos'
popular and most Travelled roads that run
out of Indianapolis. At a certain place
on the road, every night for about week,
as the passenger train run by this engineer
came laundering along, 1t was certain 10
be thrown from the track by distractions
placed there. Several Of these mishaps 70
the train caused loss OF life, and the com
pany was becoming considerably alarmed,
and the ability of the engineer was belng
seriously questioned. One night, as the
unfortunate train was nearing the iatal
spot, the engineer, who had been sitting
glum and silent at the throttle, turned 70
his fireman and said: eff this train
iumps the track at that place tonight, you
follow me don't stop for anything, bul
keen clsse afterme. Somebody has beer
throwing this train of the track, ana IL
going to eaten him."
When .he train arrived at the usua
place il struck misplaced rail and wa
banked. The engineer, closely FOLLOWED
by the fireman, jumped from the engln
and ran into corn field, aud starred up
, man that lay concealed there. Upol
bringing the culprit back to the wrec
the enraged passengers wanted to lyne
him. hut the engineer, a stern cold, dt
termined man, prevented them, sayln
J that he would take charge OF him, anG
4 through the intercession Of the conducto
he trembling wretch was left in charg
, of the engineer. The train was righte
C and was soon speeding on Its way. II
4 prisoner, who had confessed his nendisl
n ness. had been seated on the engine, an
n the fireman placed beside him as a guar
Il When the train was on II smooth piece
5 track, bowling along at speed OF tweht
Ave miles an hour, the engineer beckon!
d the fireman 10 stand out OF the way. III
c fireman stepped aside, and the engine
" picked up round stick of wood al
i struck the criminal such blow upon q
% head that ii stunned him. He then Gang
e the quivcring form Of the poor wrctc
80 and, opening the furnace doors, threw
es body into the hot, sesthing he'll OF nan
le The doors were shut, the train ratified Q
le and never, until upon his death-bed, wh
n the engineer confessed the act, was It
id certained what had been the fate of
e, nend who had been in the habit of thro
Il ing the tram oil the track.-A'dtdndpl
N SeYtlDt. Z.