Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-05-22

trains by telegraph; and to answer
with 10 before the signal is DISPLAYED
contrary to al! rule. as in so doing
there Is Il chance that some duty will
tome up, in the performance OF which
the signal will be neglected, until too
late.
well, upon receiving the assurance
that the flag was out at A.. gave
the order corresponding to the one
above, but addressed to No. 1O2.
Thus had all arranged according to
rule, Tor q crossing at c.. Soon
came the answer from No. 65:
ITO Hobbs. Dispat cher:
We understand that we are to proceed
to C. and cross No. 1O2 there.
(Si,ned)
fruco, Conductor, costar. Engineer.
No. Go.
"To this promptly gave 0. X, and
they were dispatched. As No. 1O2 had
not arrived at A., and no repiy
could be received from them until con-
ductor ard engineer had signed the or.
der. which, of course, the blue flag
would notify them was there, | turned
my attention to other duties, and
thought no more OF that crossing, I'M
I'll some time after. it occurred to me
that No. 1O2 was slow about replying.
$50 calling the operator at A., l
asked: Has Nc. 1O2 arrved?'
"'Arlived and gone was the reply.
"Gone without receiving the orders
! gave you? impossible! Did you not
display your blue tlag?'
mo! was the reply. Having re.
ceived no order to do SO. did not
|
paratlvely new man, nephew ofan
influential member OF our board OF
directors. through whom he had OBJ
tanned his position, and through whose
influence was soon to lose mine. His
deliberate falsehood astounded me, as
we'll it might, for allowing the train to
proceed without the orders meant for
them to run by C-and endeavor to
reach their usual crossing place at B
--,as soon as possible, to save delay
to 65. which was rushing along ex-
peeting to meet them at C--.The re-
suit must be collision.
1.-THE thought drove me nearly fran
tic. Further questioning only result.
ed in further denial from the operator
OF having received any orders to hold
the train, which orders he accused
me OF having failed to send.
with fast-beating heart, and q
terrible faintness upon me, dropped
my head upon the instruments and
prayed for the poor fellows upon the
trains. How many OF them would
survive the wreck, which now it was i'm.
possible to prevent, for between the
two heavy trains rushing toward each
other so swiftly, no operator was on
duty with busily clicking instrument
to warn them OF their fate.
Noticing my actions the dispatch.
er eagrly inquired the trouble. Icould
reply in words, but noticing my in.
struments calling, l grasped a pen,
and with trembling fingers copied this
message. 1t was addressed to the
superintendent from the conductor of
No. 65. and ran thus:
"'Freiahts Nos. 65 and 1O2 met in head
collision one mile east OF c., speed OF
fifteen miles per hour. Crews OF both
trains escaped unnjured. Fifteen cars de.
rallied five OF the wrecked completely, bal.
Iy blocking tho main line. viii report In
person by first train
"My greatest fear ha1 been that loss
OF life would result.
"As is usual in such cases, all the
participants in the affair were called
before the superintendent. Each man
told his story. The operator at A
firmly adhered to his falsehood, and I
as firmly to the truth, but to no pur.
pose. The influence OF his director
uncle saved for him his position, the
blame was attached to me, and l was
discharged, forced to give up my posi-
nd
this, trusting in the security of my
position, l had put all our savings
together and purchased a small house
and lot in the pleasantest part of the
city. had borrowed from our sav.
ings-bank the sum OF two-thousand
dollars, and placed mortgage for
that amount upon the place, believing
that with prudence and economy we
should be able to repay and lift the
mortgage in due course of time.
"A pleasant little place it was, and
much pleasure we took in fixing it up
with flowers and vines, until it pre-.
scented most attractive appearance,
and to our selves, at least was the
very perfection OF taste and home
comfort. Now it must all be gwen up.
This made the blow doubly hard, for
where could l obtain a position at nv
business, with the knowledge that 1
had cansed wreck?
mo! l must give it all up, and com.
mence at the foot of the ladder again.
"Ine company, having decided to
put in the wires and open a station at
C., as measure for guarding
against further trouble, very kindly
offered the situation to me, I could
but accept. Soon we were moved in.
to our new quarters-in q modest
house near my station.
DAY after day came and passed
now, so uneventfully as nearly TO de-
stroy all ambition. Duties, there
we're none to speak OF. NV station
was what IS termed q flag station
Trains made no regular stop there,
and when an occasional passenger
wished to take the train, q very un.
usual occurrence by the way, my red
flag by day. or red light at night,
Sh n Tod h.