The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-02-26
An Incident Of Ashtabula.

A special disra.ch SAYS If every
Individual who wen. dawn with the Ill.
ia'ed railroad train a. AshsabuIa aud
hS~d through the experience were to
write up his or her sensations and al
ventures noae would display that
heroism described by Johnson B Or
burn aad his wife, who werc on their
way 70 Saginaw Valley. Both are pas.
forty, and Mr Orhurn is an OHIO
farmer, who lately purchased farm in
Saginaw county. As the train pulled
out from Ashtabula the farmers wife
began esting luncheon, and her hus-
band was trying TO read a newspaper
by the light OF the dim lamp.
He says he felt the first movemeu.
when the bridge gave way He first
imagined that one Of the wheels under
his Car had become detached, as cor
ner Of the car seemed 10 settle down
little He dropped the paper and
seized the back Of the seat i'll front nf
of him. Then the whole car seemed to
lift up, and several women shriekeG in
alarm. There was no sensation Of fall
ing. On the contrary, both agree that
they thought that the car was running
up steep bill. This would prove that
the rear end OF their car settled down
first From the time the bridge gave
way till the cars struck the ice, not
more than ten seconds could have
relapsed. and yet durn. that brief
interval the husband threw one arm
around his wife. she grasped the seat
and asked what had happened. and he
told her TO secure q brace for her feet
and added 1--WE are off the track and
running through the fields" The rear
end Of their car struck first. smashing
itself to kindling wood, the debris be-
ing thrown over the passengers in front,
The farmer found himself on the floor.
held down by 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. aud 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 aud 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 wonderful
how woman could retain her presence
of mind under such exciting circum-
stances, but Mrs Orburn didn't even
cry ont after the shock. Scores of other
passengers were shrieking in pain and
fright as the cold water flooded one end
OF the ear and the flames began TO eat
away at the other.
The woman cleared herself Of the
broken seats just as the fire started, and
she theL ascertainod that her husband
was pinned fast 10 the floor by the
wreck of 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 free. but the
raging flames were now only few feet
away. aud the smoke and heat were he
coming terrible.
Mary, take hold of my foot, bend
my leg toward you with all your might
and see if YOU can't break It" called
the husband. who thought be could
easily free himself if the leg was re-
leased from its cramped position. The
wife seized his foot. meaning to obey.
but at that moment the car lurched over
a little and her husband released him
self. When they left the car her dress
was on fire. showing that another min
ute would have enveloped both In the
flames.
Both were able to walk to the hotel
AS soon as released, having escaped
with only few bruises. The heroic
wife and mother was not only ready to
obey her husbands orders. but she had
a plan Of her own.
When SAW the flames just upon
us" she said, "and while was sure that
nv husband would be burned alive, |
made up my mind to put one of the
cushions over him, lie down on top Of
that, while Was being burned up, help
would come TO him for our children :
sake"
II was afraid she wouldn't he strong
enough 10 break my leg" added the
husband, land then 1t would be all up
with me. WAS going TO have her get
out. and then. rather than be burned
alive. WAS gaing Ia --. We'll.
had this big knife in my right hand
pocket, and my right arm was free TO
get il and use it,