Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-03-13
A THRILLING EXPERIENCE.

"Yes, we operators sometimes have
strange experiences" said the young look
ing, white haired telegrapher, replying to
an interrogatory of the Call representative.
"By all odds the most thrilling incident that
ever came within my own experience" he
continued, musingly, occurred one night
about twelve years ago. was then young
operator on the Northern Pacific railroad.
at small station in eastern Minnesota
called Kimberly. I was doing the night
work k-from p. m to a. m., and being of
social disposition, used TO sleep only when
there was nothing of interest going on
Kimberly was quite resort for pic-nics, be-
ing situated on the edge Of one of those
beautiful lakes for which minnesota is famed
aud on the day referred to had been out
with party of young folks, and by night
was thoroughly tired out. There was no
possible escape from work, though, and l
had to report for duty as usual. Well, l
struggled along until about o'clock, when
I was aroused from light doze by the tick
ing of my instrument. | dragged myself
over to where it stood and received the fol-
lowing dispatch
"'To Operator, Kimberly: Hold ali west
bound trains. Bridge No. is washed
away
"Bridge No. 6 was several miles west of
nv station, and spanned small stream in
which logs were foated down from the pine
ries had heard that day of big jam near
there and now realized that it had broken
and swept the bridge away. The section
men had reported it to the nextstation west
of me and my order was the result. Still,
was in that somnolent state when nothing
seems of immediate importance, and after
mechanically lighting my signal.lantern,
laid down again on the table from which |
had arisen, neglecting to hang the lantern
out. don't know how long I 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 neces.
sity of stopping the train, and that it would
not stop at Kimberly if no signal was dis
played. Yet was powerless to save them
from the inevitable destruction which await
ed them if they were not warned OF the car
rying away OF the bridge. shall never for
get the agony those thoughts brought me.
| struggled to break the chains Of sleep
which held me. The effort was accompa.
MED by most peculiar sensation. l can
only compare it with the action of Il watch
spring which has been drawn to its utmost
tension and then let go. You know how it
will buzz for few moments as it uuwinds
itself. That is exactly the way my brain
whired as I sank back exhausted after each
effort. felt the train draw nearer and
nearer. 1t was like the approach Of fate.
If it passed was murderer. Again and
again struggled, with the same result; |
could not wake. 1t must have been but
few moments, yet | endured what
seemed hours of torture. / think the
sr and rumble of the train as it sped by
must have awakened me. jumped to my
feet, seized tho lantern, which was still
burning beside my chair, and dashed out
through the open window. The rear coach
was just passing the west end of the plat
form. l screamed, and in my frenzy rushed
after the departing train. The noise and
speed mocked me. Recollecting myself, |
swung my lantern across the track-the
in sight. Just as the train swept around
a curve brakeman appeared on the rear
platform. A moment later heard what [
have always considered the most welcome
sound that ever reached my ears-a shrek
from the engine and the rattle of the air
brakes AS realized that the train was
saved a reaction overcame me and fell on
the track unconscious.
"It was six weeks before l recovered
from the brain fever which followed. For
tunately, the trainmen were old friends of
mine, and the true cause of my illness never
reached headquarters. Upon recovery l
resigned my position at Kimberly and came
West, being haunted with such dread of
a repetition of the experience of that night
that dared not resume work in that place.
Since then I have had many remarkable
experiences, hut none which produced so
startling or lasting an impression upon me.
The boys often laugh at my snow-white
hair, knowing me to be scarcely above
thirty years of age, little imagining what
caused it."-,San Francisco Call.