Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-02-06
Hero.

! The following we clip from the Mil
waukee Wisconsin.
During the terrific snow storm that
blockaded the track on the Iowa and
Minnesota division of the ST. Paul
railway, it will be remembered that sew
eral trains were showed in, and for such
a length Of time were they without aid
that the passengers were in danger Of
freezing and starving.
One train had been showed in between
Ridgway and Connover, and was thus
blockaded for 26 hours. There was
! danger of the passengers suffering for
the want of fuel and food. The wealth
err was fearful and the thermometer
varied from 20 to 30 degrees below
zero. The condition of the passengers
was becoming very critical. More
than one day and night had elapsed
since the train had first been blocked
in the snow, and no aid had reached
the passengers News, however at
last reached place called Calmar, of
the condition of the train and passcn-
grrs and that some of them were pro-
badly pershing. Calmar was distant
seven miles from the train. The Their
momcter then marked 81 degrees be-
low zero. The keen cutting wind
blew 6ercely, piercing through to the
marrow.
A conductor in the employment of
the railroad, but not belonging to the
train showed in, Volunteered to 90 to
the re...ei of the passengers. His
name is James Wilson. Having pro-
cured upward of 80 pounds weight Of
crackers and cheese, he packed them
and placed them upon his back. En-
veloping himself in what is technically
termed ''Ku-Klux hood and cloak,
he started for the train seven miles
distant. The wind belw a gale and
with the thermometer at p below he
had hard to travel. 1t was hard
work, the wind penetrated through his
hood, and Notwithstanding he felt his
face and ears freezing, on he trudged,
until he reached the train almost ex-
hausted and unable to speak distinct
| ", his face, ears, and nose frozen bad
".
The train reached by Mr. Wilson
was the one before noticed IN the The
Wisconsin, and on which, among the
passengers, was John Lawlor, Esq, of
Prairie du CHEN, who had some ladies
under his care. Mr.. Lawlor applied
| Il, q
sen, and did all that was needed to
restore him as much as possible. Mr.
| Lawlor then took from his own neck a
massive gold chain, which he had worn
for a long time, and putting it around
| Wilson's neck, remarked Its pretty
good man that has worn that chain.
but I've found better, and he shall
have it," The chain is reputed to be
worth up among the hundreds Of dol
lars, and WAS handsome present,
worthily bestowed. Under touching
circumstances like these, the writer of
such an incident can hardly tell which
to admire the most, the true heroism
Of the conductor, who periled his own
life to take aid to his fellow creatures,
| OF the man who so promptly and gen
erously rewarded the deed of the
| hero.
However m uch opinions may differ
on that subject, all will agree that the
recording Of the conductors act is
pleasant duty, so that in years to come
all who refer to the fearful snow storms
that burie,1 whole passenger trains out
of sight in northern Iowa, in January,
1873, shall real the conductor
story. "how one railroad man nobly and
bravely hazarded his own Life to take
food to perishing passengers, who had
been cut off from all commun' cation
with the outer world for IS hours, IN
the most fearful storm ever recorded,
and who reached them with but little
of his own life left in him. And they
will read, too, Of another man who in
the presence Of the relieved ones, as
soon as consciousness was restored to
the relieyer, rewarded him with hand
some present.
James Wilson's name will always be
called to mind as that Of brave and
noble hearted fellow, and while in the
future it will always be foremost when
ever the incident is referred to, John
Lawlor's will be next to it. W. have
been told that James Wilson once liv-
ed in Milwaukee. We hope the state
ment is true. Whether true or not
Milwaukee feels proud that the Mil
waukee and st. Paul railway has such
a conductor in its employ, and a great
many people will think he deserves
promotion.
We find since writing the above that
James Wilson, above mentioned, was
brakeman and not conductor.