The Mineral argus., 1883-09-20

Down = Mountain By a
Train OF Car.

Hrsuod Down = Mountain By q
Train OF Oars.
Ia party of sight-seers hal q thrilling
venture on the newly constructed
|rthern Pacific line across the main
bye Of the Rocky Mountains, at Null
Tunnel fo~urteen miles west of He
as Mont, on Thursday. The part o
road rrLerred to is known as the
overhead line" Overhead Of Mullen
nneD, aaad crosses the summit at an
itude Of about 1000 feet ABOVE the
level. II was built In ordsa that
rk laying from the east might not be
bught TO a stand still at that point
lie awaiting the completion OF the
bnel, which will not be acco mplish
several weeks yet. Being only in
Ided for temporary use, the overhead
Is very steep and crooked, and the
bngest Of locomotives are required for
Ling the trains over the mountains.
yet only construction trains cross
&c, and when the steepest points on
line are reached, have 10 be divided
taken over In sections.
Prof. X. II. Howey, Of Helena, ac-
upanied by his wife and Eve friends.
ut out to the tunnel on the construc-
train for the hurpose Of going over
overhead lines. Such trips despite
danger, are quite popular with
asure-seekers on account Of the
endid view to be had from the sum-
No accident occurred In crossing
he west side. but while coming back
the range the party had an exper-
e which they will remember Till
h dying day. About half way IN the
untain the caboose occupied by the
" was left standing with locked
Ees on the main track, while the re-
nder OF the train was taken over the
nntaln, 1t being the intention 10 send
becial locomotive back after the OK
~lonists. While waiting a portion of
darty climbed on the top Of the ca
se to set a better view OF the valley
Nv. While thus engaged a Swede
cared on the bank above and began
ring at them in an excited manner
his native tongue. Professor
Fey rushed out OF the uphill plat
and saw rounding a curve. not
2 than q hundred yards up the
ntain, a runaway train coming down
me summit. lt was composed of
motive weighing $1,000 pounds and
nat cars, heavily loaded with rail-
iron. IL was coming like an ava
ne There was no time TO get the
out OF the caboose, and 10 be
4 Dy the runaway train could have
one result, the hurting of the ca
trBin, which stood at a sharp
IN the road, into the gorge be-
niessor Howey sprang TO loosen the
and the Swede, who had scram-
down the bank, grasped II at the
instant. The c loose, now free OF
amt started down the mountain.
vas done 30 quickly that there was
" interval Of perhaps 100 yards be-
the runaway and the caboose oc-
p oy the excursionists. The grade
very steep, and Professor HoweV
. vas but a few moments until thew
making at least a mile a
~ The ladies were srreamin0
night, and il was with the greatest
MY that they were kept from leap
IN the car, which would have
aertain death. The Swede stood
'haec anu the Otner men, re-
ing their excitement as well as
ould, kept watch over the ladies'.
eaboOse shot down the mountain
q sharp curves and along the cliffs
deep Rorges. while the
zme laundering along behind
inereasing speed. The engineer re-
ar his post clutching the lever;
rising his engine was Of no avail
Alng It's wild course, and only in
q ne danger Of its flying the track
ne ca0oose was ~overtaken, but as
gong almost as fast as the train,
tas No serious consequences, and
led down the mountain together.
- locomotive, and iron cars ali
ne rack, and although the speed
20 vas terrific, all reached the val
nov IN safety.