Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1874-06-24
An Hour of Terror.

There arrived in this city Friday
morning over the Grand Trunk Rail
way man named Patrick McArthnr,
who met with thrilling adventure
about six miles east OF the junction
Thursday night IIo is laboring
man, and having no money, and fail
ing TO get chance to work his pass
age down from Port Huron on a boat,
hc started TO walk down on the rail
road track, and had nearly completed
his Journey when the adventure beicl
him. He laid by during the heat of
tho day Wednesday, and was walking
in the evening to make it up. While
crossing the tracks whore switch
leads down along tho main track he
got his foot caught fast in frog"
and his efforts to cxtricate IL were Of
no avail He had stout boot, aud
il fitted so closely over the instep that
he could not draw his foot out. In
fact, tho boot was wedged in the "frog"
SO closely that rthe mans toes were
severely pinchcd Hcpulled this way
and that, wrcnchcd ard twisted, but
the "frog" held tho foot like n wise
At length he could hardly move
his leg for the pain, and he found
that he must either be run over
by the next passing train or make
some one understand bis situation. -
lie shouted himself hoarse, but no
one came The nearest house was
half q mile away, and il the farmer
heard the wild calls for help he gave
them no attention. After the man
had been prisoner for upward of an
hour he heard the whistle of down
freight train. IL was yet long way
of, and he had little time to think.
He had matchbox in his pocket,
papers in his bundle, and the idea
came to him to signal the train. Tear
ing the paper off his bundle and get.
ting at number of letters, hc rolled
them into u heap, and for fear tho
flame would die out too suddenly, he
added two flannel shirts from the bun
die. The bundle was then made fast
to the end OF his walking stick matches
produced and he waited until the head
light Of the locomotive should appear
up tho track.
1t finally greeted his vision, look
ing like a bright white star, as it glis-
tened far up the track The rumble
of tho train grow louder, the star grew
larger and brighter. lie struck his
match, the flame blazed up brightly,
but as he moved it toward the bundle
little gust of wind blew it out. Was
there time YETI Up the track ho
could hear tho thunder OF q hundred
heavy wheels, aud the great light Of
the locomotive glared at him like the
fiery eye OF some wild beast. Another
match, an instant of fear and doubt,
and then the paper blazed up and
curled over and around the bundle
and swayed right and left with the
night wind. lie waved the signal OF
fire back and forth, and Just when he
was ready to believe that death under
tho wheels was certain he heard the
whistle for brakes.
He could hear the wheels grinding
and groaDing, tho hiss of steam as the
engineer threw back his lever, and
then the heavy train came to q stop
with the great light shining down
upon him, paling his dying signal
He was saved, but the engine had only
thirty feet moro TO 60 to crush him.
The fireman came forward, got a crow
bar and released him, and he was
taken back TO tho oaboose. The train
mon were kind to him, and yesterday
he found acquaintance here who ar
ranged for his board until he will be
able to work. His foot is badly swell
cd and very tender, and /. will be sew.
cral days before he will be able TO
walk.