The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-13
SAVED BY THE ENeINEER,
Who Stuck to His Engine and Piled the
Brakes Rather than Save His Own Life.
Helena IN. TT Herald

Who Stuck to His Engine and Piled the
Brakes Rather than Save His Own Life.
Helena IN. TT Herald.
The west bound express on the Northern Pa
cifc, due at Helena at o'clock Saturday even
ing, met with severe accident on the Yellow
stone, about twenty-five miles west Of Miles
City We get the following particulars from L
S. G. VanWart. of Helena, who was passen
ger on the train He says the train was run
ming along under steep mountain close to the
Yellowstone river, about o'clock Saturday
morning Both ult, with thirteen coaches, ex-
press, baggage, emigrant mail ami Pullman
cars, when the fireman discovered a
huge pile of rock moving down the
mountain about thirty yards ahead, and
cried out to the engineer 'See them come
jump for your life?H at the same time jumping
himself and lighting on the side next the river.
In a moment the engineer instead of jumping
to save his own life, thought of the hundred
passengers whose lives were in his hands, and
reversed the engine and put on the air brakes,
but still the heavy train moved on apparently to
utter destruction against the huge pile of rocks
that had piled IN on the track but few feet
ahead The collision came and the locomotive
was forced high upon the rocks, the tender tele
scoped into the first express car for about half
its length. A huge rock estimated by Chief
Engineer Anderson, who was aboard the train
to weigh fifty tons, jumped the track in front of
the engine, carrying away the headlight and
smoke stack, and landing SO close on the other
side that part of it had to be cut away
to allow the train to pass. which took
forty men twelve hours at hard
work. 1t was great mercy that the rock came
dswn in front instead Of striking the train in
the middle, when a loss Of life by drowning in
the river would have occurred that would have
been appalling to relate 1t was a mercy, too
that brave engineer was in charge of the train,
who was daring enough to ply the brakes before
he considered his own safety. 1t appears that
the mountain was over coal mine that was on
on the side of the hill The passengers, who had
felt the concussion being assured that it was
only forward car off the track went back to
bed and slept till morning in the presence of
what came very near being one Of the most
dreadful accidents ever known in the history of
railroad smash-ups. The conductor had to
walk eight miles to telegraph station
before he could call assistance. He sum
moned wrecking trains from the east
and west, and both came with a large force of
men, who worked brayely to clear the track and
take back the wreck SO that the train, which
was about fifteen hours behind time, could move
on. Fortunately no one was injured, and amid
congratulations next morning among the passen
gers upon their deliverance from dreadful fate
they did not forget stout-hearted Engineer
Gleason, whom they complimented by series
of resolutions and handsome purse, which they
forwarded to headquarters with the signatures
and thanks of every passenger on the train. En-
glneer Gleason was the recipient of gold watch
on a former occasion, when by his presence of
mind and brave action he saved the lives of
another train load of passengers. 1t is by such
brave deeds that men become heroes upon amore
exalted field than that of battle