St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-03-19
A Fearful Adventure.


II was about the middle of Septem-
ber-a beautiful evening after three
days of unceasing rain. We were
travelling from California to New
Brunswick. We had just passed
through Salt Lake City and were
within five miles of the next station
when the engineer saw a signal, as
we rounded curve, not more than
twenty rods distant. The road was
down grade, and before the train
could he stopped the engine and two
freight cars were upon the rails where
the embankment was slowly but surely
giving way.
There was tremble, "a crash, shrieks,
and we, the passengers, were thrown
from our seats in all directions. AS
we sprang up, terror written upon
every cOuntenance, and looked at each
other to see if any one was killed, we
heard cry of fire and the occupants
rushed out of the door for rs the car
was only tipped on its side, and had
not gone very far down the embank-
ment, they could crawl out. All that
were uninjured came to the rescue !;
and the brave train hands succeeded
in saving all the passengers alive, and
all the cars except this one.
AS we all grouped together on the
plain, aud | had counted my six chill
dren for the sixth time to see that
none were missing, we presented
pitiful spectacle. The night was fast
coming down, the lurid glare of the
burning car lit up our CHASTITY faces as
we vainly asked each other what was
to be done. Surrounded by savage
Indians, and by still vastly worse
enemies in the shape of the blood
thirsty MOrmons, the thought of the
"MOuntain Meadow Massacre" passed
through my mind and made the blood
cnrdle IN my VEINS.
We had been in California five
years, and my husband had been en-
gagged in mining near Los Angeles.
After some encouragement at first he
had struck a rich lode which proved to
be of immense value. We, that is,
George Dunbar, my husband, and my
self, his wife, and our six children,
were returning home to spend the re-
mainder of our days on the old home
stead where we had begun house
keeping twenty years before. We had
left the dear old place in the hands of
j.
been looking forward to the happy
time when we should once more be
settled quietly on the banks of the
beautiful st. John river. Untiringly |
had planned improvements and deco
rations for identifying our already
lovely home. Our abundant wealth
would enable us to crafty every wish.
AS we stood huddled together all
tbiS fla shQ1 nnnn nv mind w hat
should we do? The conductor, Mr..
Dee, came up to us, saying, "Mr. Dun
bar, have decided what | shall do.
will walk as quickly as possible to
the next station, and telegraph back
to the city for a detachment of soldiers
with all that will be necessary"
"Will it not be a very perilous un-
dertaking, Mr.. Dee ~ said my hus
band.
"Yes, but your situation is not less
so. Mr.. Dunbar, take every precau-
ton to protect yourselves. | do not
wish to alarm you needlessly, but |
need not tell you we are all in immi-
nent danger. want to entrust these
things to yOur care in case | should
not turn up all right"
AS he said this hurriedly he placed
his most esteemed treasures in my
husbands hands; who Immediately
turned and gave them to me, saying,
"Here, Marie, keep these :" and at the
same time took his wallet, containing
bonds, money, etc, from his inner
pockets and handed them to me also,
as he passed quickly to the back car.
Mr.. Dee lifted his hat and soon van
ished in the darkness.
I'm no lain &c
twilight. The sun seems to drop be
low the horizon in few minutes ; and
then, except there is a moon, it is in
tensely dark.
Mr.. Dunbar soon returned, and, af-
ter a short consultation with the gen
tlemen, told us all to come into the
second car from the rear. We instant
~ obeyed, and found the lamp lighted.
Mr.. Dunbar put some of the men in
the rear car without Il light, also others
about in different directions to give an
alarm in case Of danger. | gathered
my children as near me as they could
get, while my baby, a boy of four
years, cuddled i'll my lap. | whispered |
to the children to say their nightly |
prayers, as their hands were claSped
and their voices arose in a low muir
muir for blessings on each of ourselves, |
and then the last prayer, that so many |
thousands have uttered in happy
homes
Now lay me down to sleep;
pray the Lord my soul 10 keep;
If should die before l wake.
pray the Lord my soul to take;
And this ask for Jesus sake. Amen"
AS the prayer ended there was not |
a dry eye in the car. Every one |
thought of home, of happy smiles and /
mothers voices, perhaps heard and
seen for the last time. Even my stout
hearted husband who stood in the
door near his loved ones, looking forth
into the darkness, used his haudker-
chief rather vigorously. Again all
was still, only with intense longing
we were waiting for Mr.. Dee and his
escort of armed Federal soldiers.
Three hours had gone by without
incident, when all were suddenly
startled by a shout for Mr.. Dee
thought it best to make himself known