New-York tribune., 1890-08-31
MR. UrLSONS TBO COLUMNS.
A FRTGHTFUL RAILROAD ACCIDENT AND
SnADowY FORM BRINGS THE NEWS

SHADOwY FORM BRINGS THE NEWS.
Mr. Wilson. how soon can you get ready to start
for IL. llno.si'
"In an hour. sir7
This conversation took place In the ONCE OF The
New:York Chronicle morning NJ the men on the
stan TO receive their assignments. II the city
editor had asked Wilson how h. could get ready
10 start for ALASKA he would nave received precisely
the sime reply.
Edward wilson hurried OF 70 his rooms, and hastily
packing few nccc,aaries IN valisc, reported back
at the Office In exactly an hour.
%" lie a paragon of n reporter yOu will say.
"thi, wilson But he was merely an ordinary city
stan reporter. who. like thou.auds Of Others on the
big callcs Of America. stand ready al hours notice
to start for any part Of the world
"Th, Illinois story VIII bring two columns. even n
I'm recalled Immediately. he muscd he ratified up TO
the Grand Central station in a hanson; two columns
will bring bank account mp TO $780, and 500 will
bring the wife and little to New York Wilson
thought with delight how happy they would be In his
comfortable little Lexington ave- Gat. IL was pleas
ant little dnydrcam.
In fifteen minutes The Buffalo express. bearing the
newspaper 10 his destination, rushed snorting out
Of the Harlem tunnel. like another carthbouud Thor
rejoicing at his freedom. Past the end Of Manhattan
Island past Rivcrlalc Yonkcrs and all the lovely
northern suburbs Of the city along the rolling Had on
past the muddy Mohawh, then night fell, screaming
past the little hamlcts sleeping under the hill, OF
Central New York, and on to the great lakes.
There was nothing In the - interest Wilson and
| a. the sun sank behind the rprnng whclt-his hc
dozcd htfully and waking, would sleep again. waking
aud sleeping 10y ntul start and wondering what it
was that kept him IN vague but all the more fear
ful terror Finally hc slept and II while n
dreamed that terrible accident happened The
trc>tc b!igs over swollen creek. wcihcnrd by TN.
rush of waters. had given way under the advancing
| train and 300 pcOpe were hurled into the creek.
Three or four men hur-ic1ly finishing late copy -
| doing Office boy waking every few minutes To
glance al the clUcl and long for = O'Clock and free
dom. The night desk filtered with proof slips and
held over copy sound but the operator ticking
goodnight to his far-oH trJthcrs and occasional
| shout Of Copy - from the desk
\ tall figure IN capped OvcrcOat and travelling cap
enters the IN. and silently walk up = the night
desk lays some copy before the efitrr. The men
| pass but the Office boy, brushing his hat yawn.
| Good morning, Mr.. WILSON, but the form goes
| straight on
Cant this, Mr. wilson, says the editor, look.
ing at the clock. Why. it's 80, the papers going
| TO press. What is il. anyway
| Yes by George. We will run it," he continues
| cxcitcdy " JIM stop the presses
| Then to the operator: " Have you accident on
| the New York and Buialo yctl
| NO. Sir"
81 How did you get it, Wilsoni,
| But the form lad gone.
"My God listen 10 this' says the sub editor "The
accident must hav" occurred at 30 exactly Among
| the dead was Edward Wilson, reporter on The
| that brought this copy in =
| Il don't know replied the editor in hushcd
| voice. send the story up. just IL Is. II runs
| exactly two columns"