The Baltimore County union., 1882-05-20
A Very Narrow Escape.

Conductor Wilson, Of the Cockey sville accom-
mediation train, which lei, Calvert station at 80
o'clock Thursday night Of last week. me, with
surprise that almost unnerved him at point be-
tween Texas aud Cockeysville, and the surprise
was none the less startling 20 a belated store
keeper Who does business in the village known
Beaver Dam.
The latter had been to baltimore, laying in a
stock Of goods, and started for home with his
horse aud wagon. at an advanced hour in the
evening. All went well with him until he reached
Prices Crossing, leading from the York tarnpike
across the railroad tracks to Beaver Dam. The
storekeepsr was evidently In an absent minded
mood. for instead of driving over the double rails
he turned down between them. and heading his
horse for COekey svie logged leisurely along. the
wheels one side of his wagon joltng over the
railroad ties, aud those on the other running
smoothly over the space between the dual line of
rails. The incident that surprised and alarmed
both conductor and storekeeper occurred about
half mile beyond the crossing alluded 90. The
man Of groceries wAs oblivious 60 the fact that
there was a train ratiing along right behind him.
and the engineer in charge of the locomotive was
unaware that there was any obstruction on the
track until IL was too late 20 avoid acosion. lie
observed the dark outline Of the wagon Just in
time 90 put the air-brAkes, but the next instant
the crash cane. and vehicle. horse and man went
flying about twenty feet over on the opposite
track. the mereh aniise being scattered for con.
stopped and the conductor and engineer started
out with lanterns 90 ascertain the amount q dam.
age done. They were under the impression that
the horse was stray one that had wandered up
the rails. and were cOnsequently not little as
tonishei while hunting for the shattered vehicle
60 End the driver thereof sitting Dol, upright on
the wes; track and evidently in a quandAry A. to
what accident had befallen him. The moment,
however, the bright light Of the conductors Ian
tern illuminated the surroundings there was a
mutual recognition. and the Ftorekseper fully
realized wbat bad happened.
Instead Of being thankful for bis fortunate
escape from death. the s;orekeeper who got away
without even = scratch, raised his hand threaten
ingiy and exclaimed, "wilson, you seoundrei.
what did you strike me for?" lie became still
more snraged when the conductor placed the
horse. which was also uninjured. in charge Of the
baggage masteT, with Instructions 20 ead him 10
COekeysville and positively refused TO board the
train, notwithstanding the entrea;es of Mr. viii
son and the engineer. lie would spend the nis sh,,
be said. on n bank near by. and the car rolled on
leaving him 10 his fate. Arriving st Coekey sviIe
Mr.. Wilson, thinking the unfortunate fellow would
perish in the drenehing rain falling At the time.
walked back 10 the spot the accident occurred.
and. after considerable search. found that the
grocery man had fallen twenty feet down an en-
bankment and vas standing almost up 10 bis waist
In water. lie was dragged from his uneomfor-
table location with difheuty and marched 10
COekeyssille. His wagon vas \ complete wreck
save the shafts.