The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-09-01

DWELLING BURNE D.-rhe dwelling
house of Mr.. VIM. 7. Boulder, at Locust
Point, on the Elk River, few miles below
town, was consumed by fire, on Sunday
afternoon last, together with the greater
part of its contents. About 10 o'clock, on
the morning of the day named, Mr.. Boul-
den, with his entire family, left home to
visit friends at kirkwood, Delaware. Be-
fore leaving the house all the window sash
were lowered and other precautions taken
to guard against accident. The fire in the
stove, which had not been used since break
fast time (Which is earlier in the country
than with u.s., was supposed to he out. At
about | o'clock some boys children of Mr..
Dennis Maloney, a tenant upon the place.
discovered smoke issuing from the roof of
Mr.. Boulden's house. They ran home and
gave the alarm, but it seems that nearly all
the men of the neighborhood were away
from home, and before sufficient force
could be mustered to fight the fire or save
the contents of the building it was in ruins.
The furniture of the first floor was nearly
all rescued in damaged condition, but the
entire contents of the upper floors was de-
stroyed. All the wearing apparel of the
family, save what they had on, was burned.
Just at the time the alarm was given, some
of those who were fastening towards the
burning house saw two young men running
down the river shore and watched them
until they disappeared in piece of wood.
Upon arriving at the house they further
noticed that the sash of one of the second
story windows was hoisted. 1t is thought
by some that these fugitives had robbed and
then fired the premises. The origin of the
fire will, however, in all probability, never
be known. 1t started in the second story
and made its appearance through the roof
some time before it burned through the
floor to the lower rooms. Mr.. Boulden's
loss is about 81 900 on the house and $500
on furniture. He is insured in the Farm
ers' Mutual of Delaware 5000 on the house
and $400 on furniture. Mr.. Boulder and
family have taken up quarters in build
ing-near the burned dwelling-formerly
used by him as an office, where they will
remain for the present.
A THRILLING SCENE-A DREADFUL AC-
CIDENT BARELY AvERTED.-Travelers by
railroad seldom realize a 1.-THE of the dan
gers through which they pass. If they
were aware of the nearness to death or
manning to which they ofttimes come,
and from which they escape by hairs
BREADTH they would not sit so complacently
in their seats. A broken rail, a misplaced
switch, an obstruction upon the track
how often are whole train loads of people
placed in imminent peril by one or the
other of these, and yet are themselves
entirely ignorant of it.
A case of this kind occurred here on
Tuesday, in which three car loads of hu
man beings were saved from destruction
by the presence of mind and prompt action
of one man-Mr. w. E. X. Frazer, the
telegraph operator at this station. 1t is
the custom of the telegraph operator, after
receiving notice from neighboripg stations
of the approach of trains that do not stop
here, to GO out and watch the North street
crossing, SO as to prevent teams from cross
ing when the train is near at hand.
On Tuesday, after receiving notice from
Newark of the coming of the limited ex-
press, due here at l.27 p. NJ, and also that
it was three minutes behind time, Mr.
Frazer went out to look for its approach.
Just then he saw approaching the crossing,
set of log wheels, with heavy log upon
them, which attempted to pass over
There was plenty of time, had the team
been able to drag the heavy concern up
the steep grade and over the tracks, but
this they were unable to do, from the fact
end of the log was attached, were too low
to keep it clear of the track. With this
immense log right across the track, the
team stuck.
In minute the approach of the train,
drawn by Engine No, 90, and in charge of
Conductor Lummis, was heard. 1t came
laundering along at the rate of fifty miles
an hour. Persons who were looking on
be avoided, that many of them averted their
faces, and some even ran to avoid Witness
ing it. Mr. Frazer hurried to his Office,
seized the red flag, and at rate of speed
very unusual for him, FASTENED towards the
train. In attempting to spring
over the log, his foot tripped and he had
severe fall; but in an instant he was up
and Off again, waving his flag as he ran.
The train was then within a few hundred
yards OF the obstruction, but by timely at
tention to the danger signal, aad the i'm
mediate application of the air brakes, the
Engineer in charge Sargent succeeded in
halted only ten feet from the log. Had Mr..
F. with his signal been one instant later, we
would have had a sickenng accident to
record. Much difficulty was experienced
in removing the log and wheels from the
track, the team having to be hitched to the
rear and draw it backwards. The train was
delayed about ten minutes.
While upon the subject we would call at
tention to the dangerous condition of this
CT Gssing. The ascent to the railroad bed is
too steep. it shoi,ld be properly graded at
ONCE, or it may yet lie tue aa..se Of a seri-
GUS accident.
CeCiltOM Items.