The Benton weekly record., 1881-02-18
a, Pretty Tough Warm.

An interesting experiment was tried
here Monday, which created intense ex-
element among the inhabitants Of this
quiet town. A mo'cst mechanic of this
place, who has felt the aggravation Of
''just in time to be too late" obtained per-
mission of the railroad company to test
what he calls his gigantic pull-back. The
female portion Of the community were
disappointed when they found it in no
wise related to the modiste's art. The
inventor had the end of the pull-back sunk
in the ground several feet between the
rails at the station, and securely anchored
by bolts and screws. The pull-back con-
sists OF an inmehse elastic cable (tnade at
the rubber works here,) which was run
along the ties under cover of iron tubing,
to distance Of l 200 feet, at which point
the cable ended in y huge iron hook. This
hook was poised above wire spring sunk
into the ground, which connected with
the telegraph battery at the station by
wire.
The purpose of the pull-back is, as the
reader has by this time surmised to catch
and draw back to the station any train
that happens to forget anything, Or for
some late person that stands "cursing the
fate that made him late," etc, The initial
test was made, as stated, ON Monday, in
tbs. presence of a large gathering of the
curious townsfolks. The whole scheme
was intended to be kept secret, but of
course the planting of the cable aroused
rumors that spread until the public mind
was at high pitch of curiosity. When it
was finally divulged what was the intent
and purpose Of the scheme, people laugh
d, shrugged their shoulders and said
"The man is crazy Others said,
Perhaps he is, but give him a show
The inventor volunteered to take the
part Of the belatcd passenger, ''for this
occasion only" and just as the II 80 ex-
press pulled out Of the next station and
was gaining hcadway at every "chew'' Of
the engine, the excited mechanic came
tearing down tho street with his coat-taile
/ flying and face flushed. The crowd cheer
I ed and laughed. It was nevertheless ali
exciting moment. he shouted to the tele-
I grnnh operator to make the connection
The current flashed over the wire and sci
loose the spring which threw tip the irol
hook. The crowd heard the clamp of the
iron and watched with bated breath the
result. The hook had caught the last car
sure enough, and the big black cable was
seen to stretch out of the iron tubing like
4 serpent out Of its hole. The train soor
came to the end of the rope, and then carn'
the remarkable result of the whole scheme
The speed of the train gradually slackened
then finally stopped, and then the cable
with prodigious power began TO redeem it
tension, and draw back with increasing
speed the captured train.
The astOnishment of the crowd was I'M
. bounded, and as the train ratified buck t,
the station. like a trlant child brough
: home. the cheers ant! yclls were deaien
lug. The engineer smiled grimly, :tn
said: II GUESS we've forgot something.
4 rhc inventor chllckled and looked happy
stepped on board, and the train sped ava
: &gattt To make mp the lost thirty second
r. ocrasionch BY The gigantic pull-back.
~ 'a&1H ;tfs shousand and one reason,
Fyi4yEsueh yaH Invention would be of in
: caleuAblc service to railway companies
II Col!isi1-.s can be avoided, mistakes COZ
3, rcctcd, ttrd} conductors restored to thei
charge and "wild' locomotives prevente
from salloping over the rails and scarin
l. whole counties into fits by the Comanch
d yells.-Oshkosh AdcOcdte.