Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-10-31
THE CONDUCTORS STORY.

=, Oithe OApIcSS StOOu waiting IN
the Union depot at Chicago. There was
large passenger list for the West that
night, and an unusual amount of express
matter. An extra number Of coaches
was therefore added; and when the sig
nal Tor starting was given the engine
painted and grOaned as she moved out of
the yards with her tremendous load.
Soon, however, we were flying over the
country under the impetus of the power
full engine, which had needed cnlv little
coaxing and petting at the start to give
her the wild strength with which she
drew the thousands of tons burthen be-
hind her.
Our old friend, 'Billy" F., was
the conductor. Coming through the
sleeper he greeted us cordially. barely
g!ancing at the annual" held out for
his inspection. With a promise to
meet us so5n to "have cigar" he went
on through the train, lantern on one
arm, and snip, snip" on either side.
This being through and fast train
1or the West, very few stops would be
made, and then only at important
stations. Soon our friend returned, and
settling himself comfortably by our side
In the smoking room, lit Havana.
'We've got q very heavy train to-
night, and, what's worse, we will be de-
tanned an hour at Aurora by freight
wreck. No. 6 is following us, but as She
makes all stops, we won't be near her
long"
you have seen some bad accidents
OF on this road in your long experience on
it, haven't you p we queried
"Ges, Ihave. l never was in any bad
wreck myself; have always been fortu.
nate. But I've had many narrow es
capes.
Speaking of wrecks, the worst one
! ever saw was that which occurred at
Tyrone, Iowa, some years ago. You see,
No: .. going cast, and Nos, going west,
had orders to meet there. Both trains
were late and were running
like the wind, The operator
at Tyrone received the order and
with it an order for "a freight
train that had been Standing there to
come on west. In some unaccountable
manner, the poor fellow got the orders
mixed so that when No. 5 reached Ty-
rome 1t was ordered to run on east, while
the freight was still held at Tyrone
Orders are orders on the road, and the
engineer of No. 8 innocently obeyed the
death command. So they shot into the
darkness-an to DEATH
Meanwhile No. came tearing down
the heavy grade mile or two from Ty
rome. No. 5 was rushing on to meet
her. There would be terrible wreck
Just as No 5 disappeared from view, the
operator discovered his mistake. But it
was to late. He stood helpless for a mo-
ment, paralyzed with horror. Then
rushing to the instrument, teegraphed
as follows to headquarters:
SO Nos. and have met in terrible
wreck on the grade east of here. Send
cars and surgeons'
:" And then mighty crash shook the
night air. With an agoni1ing shrek the
operator sank to the floor senselcss.
Yes, 1t was an awful wreck. MANY
were killed and wounded. 1t was pitiful
to hear the poor victims cry, and some
begged to be put out of their misery.
Oh, | don't want any wrecks! And we
seldom have one now, for our road is
very careful.
"The narrowest escape l ever had was
good many years ago The road was
new then, and was running passenger
train in the West. 1t was a dreary, rainy.
chilly night in March We had a pretty
heavy train, and were making good time
despite the bad condition If the road.
Soon after midnight a storm came on
and the rain and wind was terrible. But
we had to plow along through it, though
there was great uneasiness among the
passengers, and, to tell the truth, |
didn't feel altogether safe myself
"About ten miles from II - we
learned that Camp Creek was way beyond
her banks, and was rapidly rising.
There was large trestlc bridge over this
creek, but it was regarded as being per-
fectly safe. The wind was now blowing
a gale, it had turned cold, and snow was
now mixed with the pouring rain. But
on we flew, and l trusted to Providence
that all would be we'll.
II had just snuggled down in a heap
to have short nap, when was brought
to my feet in an instant by the frantic
shrek of the engine, and the pounding
and the groan;ng of the car wheels on
the track as the brakes held them fast
There was trouble ahead. And we were
nearing that bridget Looking out of the
window ahgad in tho distance, saw
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