The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-04

heard that day Of a big s.jam' near there, and
now realized that it had broken and swept the
bridge away. The section men had reported
it to the next station west of me and
was in that somnolent state when
nothing seems of immediate Importance, and
after mechanically lighting my signallantern.
laid down again on the table from which had
risen neglecting TO hang the lantern out /
don't know how long had slept when was
suddenly conscious that train was nearing the
station, at the same time being unable to move
or awaken myself / knew that was asleep,
realized the necessity of stopping the train, and
that it would not stop at Kimberly if no signal
was displayed. Yet / was powerless to save
them from the inevitable destruction which
awaited them if they not warned of the
carrying away of the bridge. shall never for
get the agony those thoughts brought
of sleep which held me. The effort
was accompanied by most peculiar SEN
sation- felt the train draw nearer and nearer.
1t was like the approach Of fate. II passed |
gled, with the same result could not
wake. 1t must have been but
few moments, yet endured what seemed hours
of torture. think the jar and rumble of the
train as it sped by must have awakened me. |
jumped to my feet, siezed the lantern which
was still burning beside by chair. and dashed out
through the open window The rear coach was
just passing the west end of the platform. l
screamed, and in my frenzy rushed after the
departing train. The noise and speed Knocked
me. Recollecting myself, | swung my lantern
across the track-the usual signal Of danger.
There was no one in sight. just as the train
swept around a curve brakeman appeared on
the rear platform. A moment later heard
what | always considered the most welcome
sound that ever reached my ears-a shrek from
the engine and the rattle of air-brakes AS
realized that the train was saved a reaction
came over me and l fell on the track uncon-
Scious
1T was six weeks before recovered from the
brain fever which followed. Fortunately, the
trainmen were old friends Of mine, and the
true cause of my illness never reached head
quarters Upon recovery l resigned my position
at Kimberly and came West
The l., B. Sc w. to Abandon the st. Louis
Division.
The journal has the best of authority for stat
ing that the Indiana Bloomington & Western
people have decided to turn the st. Louis divis-
ion over to the trustees of the Indianapolis, De-
catur & Springfield railroad company, of
which II. B. Hammond is president. To-day
was the date set for such action, but
yesterday afternoon kilograms were received to
the effect that the trustees, who are Eastern men,
could not be here to take the property until
Friday or Saturday. The l., d. Sc s. comp any
owns from Decatur. Ill, to Indianapolis, Ind,
153 miles. This company is successor to the
Indiana & Illinois Central railroad, sold in fore
closure April 26, 1875. In December, 1881, it was
leased to the Indiana. Bloomington & Western
for fifty years, at 30 per cent. of gross earn
ings, with the provision that, should 80
per cent of the gross earnings fall
short of 5000, 900 per year such deficiency should
be made up by the l., B. & w. company The
latter claim that in operating the road
under this lease they have lost $42,-
900 per annum,. hence they wish
to unload the elephant In addition to
the road bed there are Is locomotives y passen-
ger coaches, baggage, mail and express cars. 2
combination cars, some 400 freight cars and the
fine shops west of the city, which are supplied
with the best and most modern machinery The
officials of the l. b. & W., state that
the equipment is now in better order than when
they leased the road. 1t is stated that the gen.
eral freight agency of the road has been offered
to NJ DoherJy, commissioner of the indianapolis
east-bound pool. This move ON the part
of the l., b. 6 w. people is leading
to much speculation and unfavorable comment
In short, the belief prevails that it is scheme
to further wreck the road if possible. 1t is al
legged that for two years past the l., b. & w.
people have failed to make any effort to build up
business on the road, taking off, of
late, the best,-paying trains. The l.,
the l.. d. & S. rolling Stock so per cent of their
locomotives having been in service other
divisions than the st. Louis division. The l.. b.
q w. people need the yard room and the COM
modious and conveniently located shops, and
Surrounded in mystery is their present policy
unless, as some predict, they expect the l.. d. e.
s. company is Gin such shape, financially, that
the road will be at an early day thrown into the
hands of receiver then sold at foreclosure sale
and be gathered in by the Corbin syndicate at
trivial sum-