Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-03-07

the road temporarily impossible, and our
broken rail answered this purpose rs well
as q dozen. Had there been regular
track layer with the pursuers rail would
not have caused great delay, but it was
in all cases sufficient for it's purpose on
this day.
Though we had heard the whistle of the
pursuers, they neither heard nor saw us at
this point, and came near wreck; but they
were on their guard because Of the similar
break which had caused their fall from the
hand car, and by great effort and revers-
ing the engine they were able to prevent
an accident. But their progress seemed
to be completely barred. AS usual no one
but Fuller and Murphy seemed to have
the least idea what to do; in fact during
the whole day every hopeful plan of pur-
suit sprung from their indomitable energy.
Too much credit from the Confederate
point of view cannot be given to them.
They were already practiced in foot travel,
and once more set out in that manner; all
the rest, remaining behind, had no further
influence on the fortunes Of the day. But
at full speed the two pedestrians pushed
over the slippery and muddy road and
through the driving rain: They felt'sure
of finding the freight train, or the passen-
ger, either at Adairsville or further on
this side. Should they be obliged to take
the terribly fatiguing run to the station
itself they would probably be too late; but
they were determined to do their utmost.
Notice how all things seemed to work
against US on this eventful day. If we
had not stopped to take up this rail at all,
we would have had abundant time to
reach the freight and start it south, as we
did; and the freight train running south,
and Fuller's train running ut full speed
would have produced frightful collision,
which could scarcely have been prevented;
for the freight man had been Induced to
set out by the representations of Andrews,
and Fuller on his part probably believed
that Andrews was still running on slow
time and had not reached the station
above. The stopping to lift this rail, as it
turned out, was probably the greatest
mistake Andrews made. On the other
hand if the freight had waited for Fuller,
so great delay would have ensued that
the Oostenaula bridge, which we were
now very near. would have been in flames.
But the pursuing pair had scarcely been
they heard the welcome whistle of loco
motive. Fuller, who was ahead, stopped
in place where the view was clear, and
gave the signal of danger; the freight was
checked up as quickly as possible, and
while Fuller told in a few words what had
happened and what he wanted, Murphy,
who had been distanced, came up, and they
sprang on board and took command.
With all the power of the Texas, which
was one Of the very best engines on the
road, and the best the pursuers had yet
obtained, they pushed backward toward
Adairsville and learned that Andrews
had left a few minutes before. Fuller
took his place on the last freight car, which
was now the front of the train, and directed
their movements. Murphy was the
official superior of all the engineers on the
road He stood by the lever to render
assistance when needed and all his orders
were cheerfully obeyed.
1t was not long till they were back at
the station, when Fuller jumped off, threw
the switch over to turn the freight cars
which were detached at the same time
and allowed to run with their own mo-
mentum on the side track; and then as
the last one passed by, he changed the
switch back, sprang on the engine and
outran the cars, which continued to move
parallel with him! This was quick work.
They now had comparatively small
crew, but they were all armed with guns,
and loaded on the tender and engine alone.
1t was true that the engine was reversed,
but this, while it is somewhat less handy,
does not diminish strength or speed. The
first question which confronted the pur-
suers was whether to risk running up to
Calhoun in the face of the delayed passen-
ger train. They did not hesitate, as the
way had been made clear for them. 1t
was less than ten minutes since Andrews
had left, promising to run slowly and
carefully, and if he kept his word, he
could be overhauled and inclosed between
the two trains before he could reach Cal
houn; and even if he did not the danger
of collision would be borne by the train
ahead and not by the following one. The
marvellous flight which Andrews had
made was not, Of course, dreamed of.
Had Andrews been able to persuade the
passenger conductor to push out, as he
did the freight conductor, Fuller's and
Murphy's career would have ended.
These indomitable men now had an ex-
cellent engine and ordered full speed.
The whole distance Of nine miles was
made in little more than ten minutes!
There was no obstruction Of any kind, aid
they trusted to the fact Of being so close
behind Andrews to assure them against
any lifted rail.