Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1874-07-18
NUMBER 80

some miles. I did not shut of steam
directly we broke loose, for 1 didn't
want the train TO run into US, which
might happen if they did not hear me
whistle for brakes.
It was lucky ] kept her going; for
! Just as | had had enough OF such fly
I ing a man started out about SIX hun
dred yards before US holding red
I flag.
There was nothing in the way, 50
knew something must be wrong with
the track. YOu might as we'll have
tried to stop a whirlwind as the
Witch in that distance. Her speed
was firightful.
There wasn't much time to think,
and, as we could not stop, the faster
we went the better; so / gave her
what more steam there was. She
seemed to have some go in reserve,
for we shot past the red flag like 4
flash.
saw men standing horror-struck.
"Bill, 4" said, ''quickl Get on the
coke, and see what's ahead.
lie looked, and went deadly pale,
tottered, and fell back in a faint.
BY this time could see plain
enough what was wrong. There was
a gap in the track where bridge had
gone down,
You can't imagine my feelings Just
then. Gong to death-death, swift
and terrible-at about two miles a
minute-getting nearerl nearerl
thought Of my wife and child-nearerl
An instant more-the gapl
God have mercy ., shrieked.
Wei, would you believe it? that
engine Just cleared that gap!
r.. Ia -zlsas- -Eftoan- -faat across and ahRut
sixty feet deep. She jumped that gap
like a stag, and, what's more, she
struck the rails all right on the other
side, and kept right along just as if
she had not noticed the gap.
1 stirred Bill up, and, with both of
Us at the brake, we managed at last to
stop the Witch.
She was on tear that day, but I
never dreamed she'd jump the gap
that's fact.
Seven Boys Struck by Lightning.
The indianapolis Qndiana) Sentinel,
July 10th, says:-During the severe
storm at the Trotting Park, yesterday
afternoon, seven boys were struck by
lightning, one being instantly killed.
1t was half-past two when the rain
was coming down in torrents and the
loudest reports of thunder were ma
king the earth fairly vibrate when it
occurred. The report was distinctly
heard by every one on the grounds,
but it was some twenty minutes be-
fore word came from the fatal spot
that at least one life had been sacri-
feed by the mysterious power. On
arriving at the railroad entrance gate
(where the bolt struck, the following
particulars were learned: The seven
boys We're huddled together on the
outside of the ticket and telegraph
Office, trying to shield themselves
from the rain. Mayor Mitchell and
others, who were inside of the build
ing, saw the boys there, and one of
them in the act of climbing over the
fence. Immediately after the parties
inside we're almost shaken from their
seats and standing places by the
stroke. Mayor Mitchell saids that it
made him shake from head to foot.
The water was pouring off the roof in
a perfect sheet, and of consequence
made a splendid conductor. The bolt
undoubtedly struck the water on the
roof and went straight down in the
street, pouring down on the boys and
dealt its destruction. 1t did rot in-
jure anything about the building, not
even n shingle of the roof. For
minute or so they were so stunned
that they did rot look for the boys,
and when they did they discovered
that they were lying at some distance
apart, stretched out at full length.
Officer Brennerman was the first to
go out. He picked up Johnny Shea,
who was killed outright, and carried
him into the building. The others
were then carried in and a messenger
dispatched to the amphitheater for a
physician. Two brothers of the dead
boy were on the ground, and, on ar
irving at the side of their dead broth
er, made a most affecting sight by
their lamentations. The remains of
the killed boy and the other six in
jured boys, were placed on the train |
and brOuOht To the pity