Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-02-29

is that Andrews had in some way ar:
ranged for cutting the wire between Chat
tanooga and Knoxville, which was the
only route by which the message could
have gone around and got on the line of
the Western and Atlantic railroad ahead
Of us.
Had these been the only measures of
pursuit-wise and judicious as they were
our task would have been easy. But
Fuller's error and his ardent tempera-
ment prompted to another course. He
had called Murphy and Cain, "Come on
with me-" they promptly followed and
the three of them started at a dead run up
the track. The spectacle of three men
running vigorously after flying engine,
as if they expected to catch it, instantly
restored the mob to good humor, and
they cheered and shouted with laughter!
What would have been the fate Of these
runners If they had overtaken us at the
first stop, where we cut wire and OBJ
structed the track, it is needless to in
quire. They would have hardly begun
such a chase had they not entirely under
estimated our number, as well as mis-
taken our purpose. The Atlanta Southern
Confederacy of the next day, in an article
full of panic, written before the issue was
determined, speaks Of us ss "some four
men yet unknown"
The different running powers of the
pursuers were soon made evident in this
apparently hopeless chase. Fuller was
extraordinarily fleet and of great endur-
ance. His companions were equally
jealous but less able for running. They
were, therefore, soon spread out for q
considerable distance. While putting in
his best efforts, Fuller shouted back en-
couragement to his comrades, but did not
wait. The hope of getting his train soon
was too strong, and he also feared that
the reckless men who had taken it might
do some injury to the engine before he
could come up. The idea that they might
offer any resistance did not enter his
mind.
But the chase could not long have con-
tinued in this manner, for human muscles
cannot be pitted successfully against
steam. The labored breath and the de-
creasing pace of the runners showed that
they were well nigh exhausted; and as
curve after curve was rounded-for with
the instinct of railroad men they clung to
the track-they grew discouraged; but
Just before their "second wind" was ex-
hausted, they received both help and re-
newed excitement. They came to Moons
station, some two miles from the place of
starting, and have never been able to make
even q plausible conjecture of the time
consumed in this first stage of the jour
ney; but it is certain that it was just as
little as straining muscles and iron could
well make it.
Here they learned from the track laying
party that some of their tools had been
"borrowed," and a short distance beyond
some ties placed on the track and the
telegraph cut. This was our first halt,
and the track had been obstructed that a
train coming from Atlanta might be him
dered. The pursuers here found hand
car-not one of the elaborate machine
cars, which may be driven at great speed,
but what Fuller termed "pole car" 1t
was at once pressed into service and gave
o welcome rest. Fuller ran it back q lit
tie way and picked up his companions,
who were behind, then drove forward as
fast as the construction Of the car would
permit. Pushing with long pole in fiat
boat fashion, quite rapid time could be
made on the level and on down grades,
while on the steep up grades two would
Jump off and push at O full run.
At Ackworth they got a reinforcement
of two men, MI. Smith and Mr.. Stockely,
and hurried forward. All idea that they
were following conscripts had now been
given up. They had learned that the cap
tors had been seen oiling their engine, as
If preparing for a long run, and seeming
to perfectly understand their work. Fuller
and Murphy were now able, for the first
time, to consult about their plans. We
were running on regular time-a circum-
stance that they had noted in the reports
received from the different stations-and
that time was only sixteen miles Der hour.
which meant two hours to Kingston.
They were making seven or eight miles
on the pole car, and that, if kept up ft
was the utmost they could do), would
bring them to Etowah in two or three
hours from the start. "Then if" Fuller
continued, 1--WE can find the old Yonah
ready at our end of the branch, we can
take her and run up to Kingston in fifteen
minutes more. There are to be some
extra trains on the road today that will
bother the scoundrels up there, and the
chances are that we will overhaul them at
that place, where we will get plenty OF
help" "But if we do not find the
Yonah readys" was asked. ''Why, then,
so far as can see, we are DONE" was the
reply.
They did not stop to speculate, but were
all this time pressing on at the very high
est speed possible. 1t might well be that
one minute would make all the difference
between finding the Yonah and her
starting back to the iron works, miles
away. But there was a sharp Interrupt
ton just before they came in sight of
Etowah, and while they were straining
every nerve and looking forward to see If
the smoke of the engine was yet visible.
We had taken up rail, and there was a
crash, sense of falling, and they found
themselves lying, hand car and all, in
heap at the bottom of ditchl If the en-
bankment had been as high at that place
as at many others on the road, all our
danger would have ended, for no other
party that day originated anything against
us; but the ground was almost level; and
except q few bruises, they were unhurt,
and at once placed their car on the track
again.
While doing this, they were greatly
stimulated and hurried by noticing the
smoke and steam of the Yonah, which
they could see across the long bend on
their side of Etowah river. If they could
only make the distance, a little more than
a mile, before the engine went back on
the branch! With all their power, like
men working for their lives, they drove
forward. They were noon to soon. The
engine was on the main track still, and
the tender was just being turned on the
half moon turn table, preparatory to start
ing back. But the people there saw the
furiously driven hand car, with the shout
ing, excited men on it, and at once sus-
pended their work and gathered around
to know the cause of these frantic ges
lures. Fuller had not much breath left
to spend in talking, but managed to say
that the Yankees had taken his train, and
that he wanted their engine, and all OF
them with tl.eir guns to follow in chase.
He, with every man of his party, was well
known and there was no stopping to ques-
ton. Their very appearance, streaming
with sweat and almost exhausted, bore
witness to the urgency of their haste. A
score of strong arms whirled back the
tender on the turn table, and pushed it
and an empty coal car up to the engine,
while number of Confederate soldiers
who were waiting to take the next train
southwark to Big Shanty, piled i'll also.
Now they were off with strong, well
armed party, and the chase was on more
equal terms. "Thc Yonah," in the
words of Fuller, twas not strong en-
gine, but had large wheels, was as active