The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-15
Daring Night Attempt to
Throw the Train Off the
Track and Rob it Of
$4,000 Specie.
Narrow Escape of the Excur-
siOnists.


Ough appreciation of the intense distress
now affecting our fair State, and caused by
the overflow, and in order that Boston might
hear from the mouth Of its own representa-
tive the sad story Of misfortune, Mayor
Wilt Monday rendered an excursion
through the inundated districts to Mr.. f. H.
Crowell, now in our midst, AMI acting as
the representative of the Boston Relief
Committee.
In accordance with the invitation of his
Honor, a number of ladies and gentlemen
assembled Monday morning at the depot
of Morgan's Louisiana and Texas Railroad,
in order to take the early train for Brashear
His Honor, Mayor Wilt, was prevented
from joining the merry party by business en-
gagements. The excursionists comprised
the following well-known persons
Mr.. Z. II. Crowell and lady, of Boston, the
guests Of the party.
Messrs. f. II. Keep, A. G. ODER and lady,
J. N. Payne and lady, G. II. Lawrence, w.
H. Deeves, Mines Rivers, Lonsdale, Henry,
and Gardner, and Miles Erwin, Payne and
LOnsdale.
The press was represented.
Thanks to the courtesy Of Mr.. A. II. Swan
son, the able Assistant Superintendent of
the road, the excursionists were provided
with a private coach.
The first stages Of the trip were devoted
to the partaking of delicious gomte, pre-
pared and presented by Mr.. Rivers of the st.
Charles Hotel. Conversation and merri-
ment whiled away the time until Terrebone
Station was reached, where the announce
ment was made that all hands must step
into "the high water cars" Such an ntima-
ton was naturally calculated to excite some
surprise among the guest, for it was not yet
known that the train would now enter upon
= watery course.
A change of engines having been effected
for one especially adapted for the purpose,
the train slowly moved off and gradually
entered the broad and apparently boundless
expanse Of waters. and SO for twenty four
miles did it continue with the water vary
ing in depth, the cylinders of the engine,
and the piston and connecting rods being at
times wholly submerged.
Then to the observing eye was presented
= strange panorama, showing tie various
resources upon which the afflicted had had
recourse to protect themselves and their
property. Elevated floors, RATS and float
ing gardens seemed to be the order of the |,
day. Not square foot of solid ground was
visible. In the various villages the citizens
navigated the streets in pirogues and i'm
prOmptu boats of various devices.
Here and there could be seen signs of cul-
tivation. On RATS, covered with earth, the
foreseeing and prudent planter had sown
his seed in order that when the waters will
have subsidized, he may transplant. On the
roofs of sheds and barns were assembled in
peaceful harmony, poultry and cattle, cats
and dogs ard other animals of q domestic
character.
Somewhat strange and novel did it seem
to hear the locomotive whistle its warning
note to the geese and alligators to "swm off
the track" while the cows and horses looked
placidly on from their elevated positions
on the neghboring verandahs.
The only dry spots along the track were }
little bridges built up to the high water
mark of 1867, and at these points the engine
stopped to get up steam. 1t is only by means
Of red flags on iron rods stuck along the
line by the section men in boats that the a
course of the track can be known, as the c
rail is in no place visible. To keep this h
from floating out Of place the ties are A
picketed down with stakes, and the bridges h
over the culverts are weighted down with v
iron
Upon the arrival Of the train at Brashear
She party was received by Mr.. Rene Me Fl
Cready, who entertained them on board Of II
The steamer Josephine, in the name Of Mr.. =,
Morgan. Capt. Brown, of the Josephine, as b
listed in doing the honOrs. Appropriate
toasts We're drank and the expression of the Il
scntimets were exchanged between a,
Boston and New Orleans. RI
At hali-past o'clock the party took N
The return train for. New Orleans, and once w
more intrusted themselves to the care of u,
Inc courteous conductor, Mr.. Hickey. II
All was peaceful and joyous n,erriment.
md nothing occurred to mar the pleasure .
md happiness of all, or 10 excite their g
ears, thron -hout the entire trip, thanks to II
he discretion Of the trusty employees he
md little did the fair ones ana their friends di
N board suspect that at one moment their dc
ives were held in the bands of the trustv m
md brave engineer, Pat Murthcr, ard that ia
o ms vigilance and care they owe their De
reservation from a most terrible accident. IN
md, perhaps, horrible death. fe
Al about n mile and n Ia { on F, no othar s;,la
Bayou Lafourche lie espied ahead some is
fteen or twenty cross-ties piled upon the bo
rack, evidently with the intention of cans 3D.
ag an accident, and from all appearances ,b
he work bore marks Of having been but St
Ately done. The cowardly would be per 70
etrNfors of this nramadifa fad anl intn..il