The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-01-25
An Ashtabula Incident.
LOVE TRIED BY FIRE-A FARMER AND
HIS WIFE DESCRIBE THEM SENSA
TIONS IN THE FAILING CARS

HIS WIFE DESCRIBE THEIk sENSA
TIoNS IN THE FALLING CARS
DETROIT, Jan. 3.-If every individu-
sl who went down on the ill-fated rail-
road train at Ashtabuls and lived
through the experiences were to write
up his or her sensations and adventures,
none would display that cOolness and
heroism described by johnson B. Or
burn and his wife, who were on their
way to Saginaw Valley. Both are past
40, and Mr.. Orburn is an Ohio farmer,
who lately purchased farm in Saginaw
county. As the train pulled out from
Ashtabula the farmers wife began eat
ing luncheon, and hsr husband was try.
ing 10 read u newspaper by the light Of
q dim lamp.
He says he felt tho first movement
when the bridge gave way. He first
imagined that one Of the wheels under
his car had become detached. as . cor
Ter of the car seemed to settle down
little. He dropped the paper and seized
the back Of the seat in front Of him
Then the whole car seemed to lift up,
and several women shrieked in alarm.
There was no sensation of falling. On
the contrary. both agree that the Car
was running up steep hill. This
would prove that the rear end Of the
car went down first From the time
the bridge gave way till the cars struck
the ice. no more than ten seconds could
have elapsed. and yet during that brief
interval the husband threw one arm
around his wife, she grxsped the seat
ana asked what had happened, and he
told her to secure . brace for her feet,
aud added. I'VE are of the track and
running through the fields!' The rear
OF their car struck first. smashing itself
into kindling wood. the debris being
thrown over the passengers in front
The farmer found himself on the floor.
held down by q mass of wreck on his
left leg. while his wife was thrown
across him. with the wreck Of two or
three seats holding her against the side
Of the car. While thus held. and be.
fore either had spoken, one end of the
car settled . little and the wife was re-
leased.
MARY, are you living" asked the
husband, being his first words after the
fall. She replied that she was not even
hurt beyond bruise or two, and by
this time the shouting and confusion
around them proved that the train was
off the track. though neither one sus.
pected that il WAS more than tumble
into = wayside ditch. 1t was wonder
full how woman could retain her pres
ence Of mind under such exciting cir
cums.ances, but Mrs Orburn didn't
even CRY out after the shock. Scores
Of other passengers were shrieking in
pain and fright ss the cold waters food
ed one end Of the car and the flames be-
gan to eat away at the other.
The woman cleared herself Of the
broken seats just - the fire started.
and she then escertained that her hus-
band was pinned fast to the floor by the
wreck Of the matter on his leg. which
was partially bent around one Of the
iron standards Of seat She worked
with all her might to set him tree, but
the raging asmes were nov only few
feet away. and the smoke and heat
were becoming terrible
Mary, take hold Ut my foot, bend
my leg back with all your strength. and
see If you can't break it - called the
husband, who though, he could easily
free himself If the leg was released
from its captured position The wife
seized his foot. meanin. TO obey. bat at
that moment the car lurched over lit-
tie and the husband released himself,
When they !cf, the car her dress WAS
en- fire, showing that another minute
would have enveloped both in flames
Both were able TO walk to the hp,el
- soon as released, having escaped
With only a few bruises The heroic
wife aud mother was not only ready to
obey her husbar d's orders, but she had
plan Of her own
When | saw the flames just upon
us." she said. and while VAS sure
:ha, my husband would /, burned
alive made up my mind TO put one
ot the cushions over bin. lay down on
'hc top of that. and hope that. while |
MAS being burned up. help would GENE
- him for our cbildren's saAe"
i Was afraid she woGl'inS ~ stroug
enough I" break my leg. added the
ha>hsnd. aud then il ~onld he oil up
With me | WAS going - have her get
out. and then. rather than 10 be burned
alive wa. gong to-well had this
big kui.e iu my pocket, and my right
arm was tree to get it out and use 1t.