Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-06
CHASED BY THE FIRE.

CHASED BY THE FIRE.
In the coal regions of Pennsylvania there
are railroads called gravity roads, over
which long trains run without the aid of
locomotives.
Till they come to steep ascending planes,
where stationary engines are placed, either at
the head or foot of the slope. Here strong
iron ropes are attached to the cars, drawing
them to the top of the hills, when they again
can run down on the other side, controlled
only by brakemen, till other elevations are
reached.
These roads have two tracks, not parallel,
but sometimes mile or two apart The one
On which the loaded car passes is called the
heavy" and the other, where the empty cars
return, the eight track" They are built
along the sides of the mountain sumits, Civ
ing the eye grand sweep over board and beau
they follow the mountain curves, sometimes
hanlngg over deep ravines, and sometimes
dashing through dense forests, where the
trees form an unbroken shade over the track.
In the Spring of 1875, John Ward, the hero
OF this story,was head brakeman on one of the
coal trains. During that Spring, this part of
the country was visited by an unsual drouth
Day after day the sun rose clear, and rar its
course over cloudless sky. But at length
veil gathered over the landscape, through
which the sun shone only like dull red disk
The people said that fore It fires were raging
in the lumber districts north.
Near the close of day in the month of Nav.
Ward and two other brakemen, in charge of
an empty train, noticed a cloud of smoke at
the head OF the plane next above them AS
they ran down to the engine-house, which
was here at the foot of the slope, they inquir-
ed if the woods along the track were on fire.
The engineer replied that they were, but he
fhOnDht they could hv with
ger.
The men resolved to try. But when they
reached the top of the plane, they saw they
had no time to lose. The fire was rushing
towards them, and they could feel it's hot
breath. Loosening the brakes, they sped down
the track with covered faces and suspended
breath.
But few moments sufficed to carry them
out OF danger, as they supposed The road
then wound round curve of two miles
through dense pine forest
Josh and Dan McChing, wards two com
panions, congratulated themselves on heir
escape; but Ward felt anxious lest this was
but the beginning of their troubles. His
home was in the midst Of the woods some
miles further down; and for the first time he
realized what terrible foe fire might be-
come.
Scarcely had these thoughts passed through
his MUD, when the train rounded the curve,
ana there before them was the fire crossing
their path.
They had gone so far dawn the plane that
II was impossible to run the cars back They
felt that they had better abandon them and re-
turn, while there was yet a chance, to the
engine-house at the foot of the slope.
But on rounding the curve again, they saw
to their dismay, that the fire had reached the
track behind them, and was furiously burn
ing on both sides. All chance of retreat was
cut OIL. But the forest where they stood was
cool and green, the underground SO luxuriant
and damp that it did not seem possible that
it could burn
The next moment, however, burning twig
lodged in one OF the tail trees near them, and
igniting the pine needles. darted out tongue
Of flame.
The men now saw that they must push
their way through the fire in front or perish.
With hearts trembling with fear, they shock
on the brakes, and were about to rush down
out from the trees, dragging little boy by
the hand and screamed TO them in tones of
agony:
Stop and take us in!"
Josh Meeting shouted back: eve can't
possibly and pointing to tall tree left
cord wood had been piled, and which was
already in flames. But with firm hand,
Ward pressed down the brake, and ordered
the others to do the same, saying:
Would you leave a woman and her child
TO be burned like rats in barn?'
Don't you see we must get by that tree
before it falls across the track?'' cried Nc
Cling in rage.
!, II know" replied Ward, sternly; 'but
they shall go with us, Or Wen all perish to-
gether Quick, quick, my woman! we've no
time to lose!'
He dared not leave the front of the train to
help her, for he knew the other men, in their
y
them
She struggled forward, but when almost
up to the cars, she stumbled and fell. With
a bound, Ward sprang to her side, lifted her,
ana handed her to Josh McCling, who stood
IN the rear of the ear He then cought up the
cnllo, ana turned to spring in, but the train
was already moving, JOSH made utterly self
lsh by his fear, had raised the brakes
!, Ward ran with the energy OF desperation,
threw the child into Dams outstretched arms,
ana then caught the last car, where he hung,
unable at the speed they were moving, with
ms utmost strength, to do more than keep
his hol5
In a few moments they left the green
woods, and passing through the blazing
oresh on either side, were almost blinded
ana suftocated with the smoke and heat,
WhIle burning t"lgs and brushes fell like a
uhot shower upon them.
ward felt his hands blistering, yet he held
last, and looked up to see if the pine-tree was
sui standing. AS they passed under it, the
names had caught in the long branches, and
u stood pyramid of fire. On the cars sped.
Another curve was passed, and they were
again In the midst of dense green wood
Dan Nc Ching shouted to his brother to
put down the brakes and succeeded in max
ing him stop the train. The two men then got
out, and ran beck to pick up Ward, who had
dropped exhausted before the action entirely
ceased.
They placed him in the cars, and tt en- al
lowed the train to run some distance further.
till they felt sure the danger was passed.
Coming to little stream of water near the
track, they again stopped the train, and gath
cred around the spring, to wash their burns
and rest little.
Here Ward recognized the poor woman he
had saved as Mrs. Stacy, the wife Of wood.
chopper, who was employed t supply fuel
for the engine house they had just passed.
Her little shanty was just in the path of the
fire. She saw the fire coming, and had time
only to catch her boy and escape to the woods.
where these men had picked her up She had
lost everything, and feared that her husband
had persisted in the flames. He had gone off
with his axe in the morning, which way she
she could not tell.
Ward was filled with anxiety about the
woman and her child. He knew that his two
companions would do nothing for her, and he
must offer her shelter in his own home. But
he had six children and an aged mother to
support and his wife was not one who bore
her burdens lightly.
But the kind-hearted man invited Mrs Sta