Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-03
An Aea of Cool, Deliberate, SeI!-Saeri-
Getng HerOism.

Richmond VA Whie: "The highest order
Of human courage il TINT which impels a
man in his cool and reflective moments to
confront approaching danger or death, that
it may be averted from others. An at of
such cool, deliberate, self sacrificing heroism,
IN which Mr.. r. =. Irving young engineer
on the Ohio and Chesapeake railroad, was
the actor, deserves record, On Wednesday
OF last week eleven trains were blocked at
w az nesboro awaiting the arrival and pas
sage of extras which were behind time
These having finally come up and passed
on their way westward, the eastward-boun1
freights were at liberty to resume their way.
The first of the eleven started up the heavy
grade toward the tunnel, but, owing to the
sleety condition of the track, could make no
Roadway. Mr.. Irving the enqineer OF the
train next behind, uncoupled his engine and
came to the assistance OF the other. Their
unltet fOrces got the heayily-laden train
under way, and NJ. Irving, after helping
IL over the heaviest grade, uncoupled
his engine and backed down the grade
TO his own train. He was scarcely in posi-
ton again when the familiar rattling sound
of an approaching train struck his ears. He
looked up, and Tor an instant stood horror
stricken as he saw section of the train he
had helped up the grade coming back slowly
now, but gathering sped as it moved. He
realized the situation in an inst ant; Is
heavi y-laden ears had by some accident
become uncoupied from the rest OF the train,
and we're now returning down a IS foot
grade, threatening collision with the stand
ing trains that must have en.aied an i'm
mense destruction OF property, BESIDES the
mangling of human victims. The young
engineer did not hesitate. He saw there was
hut one thing to do, and he did il, though he
know that hiz own life must in all likelihood
be the sacrifice. The approaching section
had already gathered considerable Roadway,
4.
and break the foree OF the collision. What
ever might be his own fate, the lives and
property behind him would be saved. 1t
was terrific spectscle-the heavy cars,
with their thousands of tons burden, thun-
dering down the grade and threatening
to immolata whatever opposed their path
the single engine, under full head of steam,
fairly leaping up the grade as if anxious for
the dreadful encounter. The young engineer
was seen by several as he passed dying into
the Avs of death. He stood with his hand
upon the lever, pale but resolute, slightly
stopping as he watched the descending mass
that at the next moment was to overwhelm
him and his engine and cousign him 10
frightful death. The shock came The in
i1epid engineer had lghtt ned it somehow
nv reversing his lever at the last moment
Tue. crash waa awful. The foremost ear
fairly mounted the opposing engine, dsshing
itself 10 pieces. A scene of wreck and ruin
ensued. We have No particulars OF the ex-
tent OF the damage or the loss TO the COM
psny; nor are we much concerned about
that. What does concern us is the fact that
the brave engineer lay in the midst OF the
wreck, bruised and stunned, but beyond that
unhuTt, Behind him stood the long trGin OF
cars which he had saved from wreck, and
srouod his PROSTATE form stood those whose
lives he had saved by an act which has few
parallels for boldness, Promptitude and de-
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