The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-24
A THRILLING EXPERIENCE.

\ Coal Train Races Down the Mountain
Side a SOaped Track.
Emory Stevenson was an engineer on the
Reading road. He was coming from the
mines toward the little town l was sta
toned at one dark night in November, and
had behind him thrty-four ears loaded
with coal. The train had just started down
a steep grade and was fully under control
when a sudden impetus was given the en-
CINE that almost broke the links holding it
t. the train. As car after ear reached this
spot the same motion was given to all of
them, and as a result high rate of speed
was soon gained by the train. Do what
they would, the hands on the train were
pOweTesS 10 check lis speed, and as il con-
tinued to gain Roadway they picked out in
yiting places and jumped for their lives.
Stevenson hung to his engine, and at three
different points, when he thought he per-
ceived slackening ND of speed, the same
strange sliding sensation was felt.
He knew that if the track was clear in
the town he was entering with lightning
like speed, and his engine kept the track,
bis chances were fairly good for a safe end
ing of his thrilling experience. Looking
back over his train, he saw that the caboose
lights were missing. and rightly SurmSed
that a portion of the train had parted and
gone down over the embankment.
at was discovered afteTwaTd that some
unknown mscreant or misCreants had
poured soft soap on the rails at different
points on the steep incline, which WAS about
five miles in length and full of curves, and
this had prevented the brakes from holding,
! and thrilling cOasting by the train was the
result
well do / remember that night. The
little town had cCde Of signals in case of
fire, which were furnished by the many
steam whistles OF the engines in the yards
and shops.
When Stevenson discovered that the
train was beyond his control, he started his
engines whistle going with the danger
signal; the engineers in town heard it and
took it up; switches we're hastily thrown:
fre-bellS started ringing, and, with the fire
apparatus, almost tue entire population
rushed through the streets.
''As the signals had started from the rail-
road every one, OF course, went that way
and as we all lined up along the high cliff
overlooking the shops and tracks, around
the last bend came the flying train. Like
flash it was abreast of us and beyond, but a
seconds view disclosed Stevenson grim as
death at his post with one hand on the
throttle and the other pulling the whistle
cord.
The train Of twenty cars still holds the
record for five miles.
ION it went through the town. The
track was clear, and as the level was
reached it was finally brought TO a stand
still. and later on backed up into the local
yard. Fourteen spllntered cars was the
sum total of the wicked plot The COM
pany officials and press of the State Landed
Stevenson's nervy exhibition, and / was the
first to grasp his hand and congratulate him
upon his escape from harm, as he stepped
down from bis engine. lie was very cool,
and | couldn't discover a culver in the
grasp OF his firm right hand. His only
words were:
Il knew God was with nae all the time,
and was only worried about killing some
one else. 1 told my fireman if he didn't be-
leve in the Lord he'd better jump; he
jumped, and l had to 60 it alone. '"-Phila-
delphia Press