Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-10-15
A FIREMAN'S ADVENTURE.

s'Many and varied are the expert
ences Of railroad men, says writer
in the Chicago Times, ''yet l do not
remember ever to have heard or read
of anything III that line surprising In
its thrilling character story relate d
to the writer by an old fireman friend,
now In Mexico, I think. Certainly
nothing IN nay own experience begins
to compare with it for that creeping
sensation of horror which one feels
when facing death in q shocking
form, with no companion near at
hand for mutual encouragement and
advice.
''My friend is of rowing dispo-
sition, and has fred on many different
roads, in Missouri, Texas, Arizona,
California, and for a time in Central
America, and mis- experiences have
not been few. The last time we met,
seated comfortably by the fire, conl-
pairing notes, he finally remarked I:
F'But of all the adventures which have
fallen to nay lot thus far not one APPS
proeches in terror night | once put
In on certain road IL Missouri.
Even to this day it makes me shudder
to think Of it, and sometimes rouses
me from my sleep at night IN perfect
shiver At the time / speak of | was
regular man on a splendid engine
the engineer was q clever fellow, and
my run, although long one of 1856
miles, was q good one, as at the end
we laid over next day, returning on
the third, and the pay was good. Our
Irregular train was the cannon BALI
express. which usually carried few
passengers and did not stop at the
smaller stations only on signal Well,
we pulled out MS usual at $3.50 one
dark night, bound west. About sixty
miles out there was a road crossing
where we had orders to stop q few
minutes longer than usual for small
party of tourists. While the engineer
was oiIing around he was approached
by one of the excursionists, and was
pleasantly surprised to recognize In
HIM an engineer whom he had for
merlY known in the east. Not hav-
ing seen or heard from him In several
years, ne invited him on TIE engine,
where the conversation
COULD BE CONTINUED,
''By the time the next stopping point
was reached my engineer had learned
from his friend that another old ac~
quaintance was one Of the excursion
party, and as his friend was perfectly
competent and offered to run to the
next stopping point, he concluded to
go on TO the train and see him. Of
course this was contrary to rales, but
is sometimes done between those who
have mutual confidence.
''After my engineer left and went
back the stranger pulled out III first
class style, and we were soon under
full Roadway, running along several
miles all right, when he began gradu-
ally to increase the speed until we
were running at fearful rate. At
length | ventured to demonstrate with
him, and for an answer he pulled her
wide open and gave vent 10 one of the
most blood curdling yells it has ever
been my misfortune to hear from a
human throat. It actually seemed 10
chill the marrow in my bones. There
was no installing that wild, screech-
ing howl, ending with the horrid
laugh of demon. I realized the fact
in an instant. | was alone on my en-
CINE with a mailman for an engineer !
1--WE afterward learned that insan-
it, was hereditary in his family, and,
failing to get the pulling of q certain
fast train which he had expected, he
bleoded over his disappointment till
it began to prey on his mind. His
physicians had according advised him
to lay off for a few months, take q
trip west and recuperate. He now
imagined himself In charge Of that
fast train. But TO my story. When
the startling truth that the man was a
maniac flashed to my mind, | confess
that for a few moments | was COM
pletely dazed. Next to the engine
was the through mail-car, which had
no door opening to the forward plat
form, and already we were going at
such speed that | knew it was imrOssi-
BILE for anyone on the train to climb
ALONG THE NARROW LEDGE
at the side of the car to come to my
assistance, and this was upgrade.
Over the divide there was a long
down grade, but luckily a straight
track. I was aroused from my apathy
by the eng ineer ordering me IN icy
tones which froze my blood to attend
TO my fire. 1 dared Eot refuse. He