The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-12-25
That Sharp Curve.
WACO, Tex, Dec. II, 1890.

! WACO, IeA., Dec. II, lc5U.
To the Editor of the Statesman:
When in Austin about three weeks age
l visited the dam site, and in going Out
there and returning was deeply impressed
with the danger attendant upon crossing
the track of the International and Great
Northern railroad. AS you are doubtless
aware there is sharp curve and deep cut
on the line of the railway Immediately
north of the road crossing. In approach
ing it from the east the view of the track
is almost wholly obscured until you are
right at the track, and even there you can
only see an approaching train Tor a short
distance, and the approach is exceedingly
dangerous.
The approach from the west is still
more hazardous, as the view of the track
is totally obscured until you are right on
the track, and train cannot be seen until
it suddenly energies from the cut, and the
nature of the ground is such that a horse
becoming frightened at train rushing
out of the cut-and the gentlest horse is
liable to be frightened under snch circum.
stances-in such close proximity is al
most certain to overturn the vehicle to
which it is attached and precipitate it's
occupants into an adjacent chasm. This
place is constant menacing danger, and
every time one crosses there they assume
risk of loss of life and properly. The
thought of this danger has required to
my mind whenever the dam has been
mentioned, and | have felt impelled to
write, asking you to direct public atten-
ton to it, as you probably have already
done. 1t is said that what is everybody's
business is nobody's business, but surely
there must be some person or persons
whose business it is to see to this matter.
If within the corporate limits of the city
1t would seem to be the duty of the city
council to investigate it, If outside the
corporation it appears to me the county
commissioners should at once apply the
remedy and obviate the danger; but on
whomsoever the liability rests theyshould
be held to strict accountability that the
duty is performed and the danger ~ rted
before somL terrible causalty occurs
There are two plans that suggest them
selves to my mind. One is that the rail
way company, or the receivers, be re-
qpired to construct bridge over the cut
and divert the wagon road in that direc
tlon that would at least secure safe
passage for light vehicles. The other,
and perhaps the better plan. whould be to
erect "A swinging gate at the present cross
ing and have Waterman there to swing
it across the road when trains are APP
preaching, and at other times to be swung
across the track; that trains approaching
from the north be required to come to
full stop at the curve and not allowed to
proceed until signalled to do so.
AS citizen of Austin, though at
present living away from my home, feel
deep interest in everything that pertains
to its present and future welfare. have
an abiding faith in the beneficial results
which confidently believe will dow from
the consummation of the dam project,
and l earnestly hope that its construction
may not be married by the loss of a single
life Tor a married one either of those en-
gagged in its erection, or of anyone whom
business requires TO pass back and forth,
or of the number attracted thither by Gu
Tiosity or for pleasure or pride in contem
plating the site of what is to be so mag
niticent a structure. Yours truly,
J. E. OLDRIGUT.