Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-28
He REVERSED THE ENGINE.
The Trains Stopped Not Over Two Yards
Apart-A Brave Colored Fireman.

The Trains Stopped Not Over Two Yards
Apart-A Brave Colored Fireman.
Correspondence OF tho Richmond Dispssch.l
ScoTrsvI1LE, w., October u, 1890.
A few years ago there was number OF
colored fremen working engines on
what is now the James River division of
the Chesapeake and Ohio railway, and
the same was the case on several other
railroads in Virginia, bat the Firemen's
Brotherhood has probably squeezed
the majority OF them out. But on the
first-named road there Is yet one colored
fireman only, aud be is "there to stay
until death, disability. or voluntary
change causes him TO leave.
Elisha Toran is his name, and brave
act makes the railroad company his
debtor. and the courage OF his action, by
which collision was ayerted and thou
sands OF dollars worth of property
saved to the railroad company, deserves
newspaper record.
The wreck was averted at Manteo, a
station eighteen miles west OF Scottsviile,
and the occurrence was in the spring
several years ago.
TIE WRECK AvERTED.
Toran now resides in Scottsyille and
your correspondent took down his state
ment and later had it confirmed by an
employee of the road, who was on one
of the trains saved. Toran was fireman
on engine No. %, which was pulling the
material or work train. This train had
orders TO work ct certain point until
certain time. but the conductor allowed
il TO remain longer than the time deslg-
mated and then pulled out, going west
and making for siding. Suddenly
around curve in the road shot out an
east-bound extra making twenty-odd
miles an hour. The engineer on the
material train, perhaps having only time
TO remember that absence of body was
better than presence of mind, remarked
10 his fireman, "Toran, jump for your
life" suiting action to his words by
jumping himself, fearing even to take
time to reverse his engine.
AT THE DESERTED POST.
Not SO with Toran, who says he was
cool. calm. and collected, and intended
to do all he could to prevent a collision.
He accordingly went to the engineer s
deserted post, reversed the engine, and
Jumped from the train when the pilot of
the approaching engine was so close that
it was lost TO his view. The engineer on
the east bound train had also reversed
his engine. and he and his crew had
leaped from the train some seconds
before Toran. When the two engines
came TO stand they were not two yards
apart.
For disobedience OF their orders the
conductor and engineer of the material
train were permanently discharged.
The heroisrn OF the colored fireman
was duly reported TO headquarters, and
am told that Toran was promised land
the promise recorded) q life position on
the railroad.
NOT MUCH OF POLITICIAN.
Elisha Toran is O small. very black
man was raised near South Boston, IN
Halifax county (; is thirty-nine years old
served as fireman on the Richmond and
Danville road for eleven years, and has
been where he now is nearly nine years
He is quiet and unobstrusive. demeans
himself with much propriety, and il
snugly living in his humble home with
his wife at this place. He is Republi.
can, but has not taken sufficient interest
in politics to get his transfer from Rich
mond, where he formerly voted, SO as to
vote in the coming election.
A SoSoGENARIAS GONE.
Mrs. Susan A. Belew. whose age wal
in the nineties, was buried at the Bap
fist cemetery here yesterday afternoon
She was q remarkable woman. not alone
by possessing the greatest age OF any
one in this community, but BY reason o.
her clearness OF mind, vision. and hear
ing, aud often pleasantly engaged her
self In handiwork OF various kinds Slit
| was devout Christian Il member Of thu
Disciples Churchl and attended preach