Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-09-14
a GRAPHIC STORY.

aster.
Frank Hatton, editor of the Wash
iugton Post, who was one of the pas
sengers on the Chicago limited train
at Johustown, contributes to the Post
graphic description of his escape
from death. He says; when the
train pulled into Joaustowu it was
found that the place was flooded. Only
few minutes were wasted there, then
the train moved cautiously on. Mineral
Point was passed; from this point on
the speed of the train decreased, the
fairy OF the torrent, the roar OF the
waters seemed TO intimidate the two
great iron monsters that were drag
cling the train. Faces. blanchel with
fear, pressed against the windows of
the car. AS great bodies of water
rolled down the gorges and over the
track, covering the cars with spray,
terrified passen gers would jump back
expecting the clrs to be overturned.
The speed of the train gradually de-
creased and then, as il the engines had
given up in despair, the train stopped.
Passengers aightel to ascertain oar
| location. 1t was found that we were
at the south end of the bridge which
spanned the Conemaugh at the little
town of South Fork and at the point
where South and North Forks come to
gether and near a telegraph tower.
But no orders came to move forward.
The water came down with terrible
force, telling OF the ruin that was
being wrought above, Portions of the
bridge, outhouses, logs, pieces OF fur
niture and all kinds OF debris went
tearing by and on down in the rapidly
swelling river. Ten, fifteen. twenty
minutes passed, and there We're no
movements of the train. The rain
came down from the heavens above
while the floods OF the two forks rolled
and dashed as they joined together,
making one mighty and angry river.
people from the town OF South
Fork crossed the bridge ana mixed
with the passengers. Then the latter
did not know of the reservoir two miles
above them which was getting really
| to let loose the vast holy o, water
which it held within its confines.
| What if the reservoir should break?
said citizen. God help US if it does.
responded a woman, the mother Ol
three boys who had just come out ..
the mines with their faces black with
the CRIME of honest toll Where is
| the reservoir ASKED the writer of al
old man. Two miles and half III
the south branch responded he,
pointing in the direction. 1t needed
but glance at the topography OF tht
country to show that should the reser-
voir, which was described as three
miles long, one and one-halt mile
wide and sixty feet deep, empty it:
mountain OF water down the sides o
the gorge through which the South
Fork flowed, the limited express would
: be destroyed and all on board swep
into eternity"
Mr.. Hatton suggested that the trail
! be moved across the bridge. Tn
conductor at first said that he haC
orders to stay where he was, but HI
finally consented to take the trail
across. about fifteen minutes afteI
the limited had reached the nortl
side" says Mr.. Hatson, ''the engine 0
a the freight train which had remained
on the south side, gave fierce shrfe,
and the train started for the bridge
Intuitively every one knew the dar
. had broken and the water was coming
The inhabitants, shrieking ana crying
4 ran for the mountain side. The tw
< engines on the limited blew their viii:
ties and started with the train Up tn
: track, followed by a freight train
. The writer was in the rear of tn
next to the last car on the limited
4 The roar of the waters was almos
deafening. In less time than it ha
taken to write this paragraph it ha
struck the houses nearest the bridg
: and they were lifted high in the al
!. and tumbled over into the surgin
stream. The engine OF the escapin
8 freight train which had given tn
# alarm had hardy reached the mort
= side when the bridge went down an
the freight cars were borne off by til
r rushing waters. AS the passenge
d train fed up the track the backwate
'e OF the north branch carried by
T articles of furniture from the house
y which few seconds before wer
! standing by the side Of the trail
8 There was great excitement anon
1t the passengers on the train, but it wa
e soon discovered that the danger wa
Z past and a thank God we are safe
!, went up from the hearts and lips of a
). on board =