West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-07-12

was announced 10 appear at the Bowcry
thcater. | had intended To sec him that
night in his new rOie Our train had been
delayed some time up the river, waiting for
the express going north 10 pass. We were
fifteen minutes behind time at Riverdalc.
Forrest, who always waited ON the plat
form, was nowhere TO he seen. was inn
patient To he oil, and asked Bill To blow the
whistle and ring the bell tierCclv. lie did
so. Still Forrest did not show up. Tie
may have remained in the city last night
or gone down ON an earlier train, thought.
However, | became uneasy, hut the train
must go ahead, and at last | shouted, "All
aboard We were Obliged to make up lost
time in going To the depot, and we had
gone along probably halt mile when a
furious signal of down breaks was given
went To the forward car and saw the brake
man put ON the brakes. | looked down the
track for the cause, and, with thrill of
horror, saw man ON It. With head bowed
down and HANDS Claspcd behind his back.
he was plunged in deep thought was
sure II was Forrest. He was walking down
the track unconscious of danger. The sig
nal did not arouse him. The train would
surely reached him, and Americas great ac-
tor would he "A mangicd mass I'm twinkHng.
The thoughts of the sorrow that would bc
expressed 10y the people and the actors
rushed through my now Quickencd brain.
"lt was then ] saw Bill, the engineer
clutch huge billet of wood In his right
hand and 10 out upon the tender of the en-.
gine. lie threw ii with all his force straight
at FORESTS head Ii struck him full ON
the right side, Knocking him down aud OIL
the track just as the train rushed by. |
thnnuht hn ptr H.. II.
stopped about IA hundred yards below
where Forrest stood at the time when hc
was struck by the billet of wood The late
Moses II. Grinncll, who had Witnessed n
part of the above scene from the rear car.
was one OF the first to Jump OIL We all
expected TO find Forrest manglcd body on
the track where he was struck low the billet
of wood Instead, the great tragedan was
sitting with his back against telegraph
pole, cody tugging away at "A damaged
boot
''Are you hurt much, Ned !" Mr.. Grin
nell anXiously inquired
mot az much as this boot is, hc ans
wercd, with an effort at smile
"Ihe COW catcher had torn the sole of
his boot and injured his foot slightly
what were you doing on the track, and
such distance from the depot2h
81 became impatient over the trains de
lay, he replied, ''and thought of sauntcr-
ing down the track. 1t is better walking
ON ,he track than the side road. My inn
patience made me nervous, and thought
TO work it of by walking. fell into deep
thought, and unconsciously walked along
Had been left alone would have walked
into the city. ! did not hear any signals,
nor know of my danger until found my
self rolling on the ground. ! could not con
cclve even then what was the matter.
When found that Forrest was not serious
ly injured again shouted, "All aboard"
and the train started on its way TO the city
After reaching the depot, Forrest found out
Biil, the engineer, and thanked him kindly
for saving his life. lie remembered Bill
substantially afterward Bill and ! saw
Forrest in the thcatcr that night. He was
applaud after every act, and we were among
those who applauded the loudest.